Video Game Famous Programmers
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List of Classic Game Programmers
This is a Who's Who of classic game programmers, Focus is on the Industry and the programmers that created these games and converted them to work on different home systems.
Programmers Name
Game Platform

Adams, Peter Zaxxon (1984, C64, Synapse) Akers, David Bump 'N' Jump (1983, 2600, M-Network) Albaugh, Mike Ultra Tank (1978, , Kee) Football (1978, , Atari) Alcorn, Al Pong, with Nolan Bushnell (1972, , Atari) Space Race (1973, , Atari) Got'cha (1974, , Atari) Alderton, Nigel Commando, with Keith Burkhill (1985, SPEC, Elite) Alvarez, Fernando Genesis (1983, 800, Datasoft) Angelo, Python [artist] Bubbles (1983, , Williams) Aplin, Richard Double Dragon I (AMI/ST/CPC) Double Dragon II (AMI/ST/CPC) Shinobi (CPC) Archer, Michael Altered Beast (1989, C64, ACT) [LP] Road Riot 4WD (LNX, Atari) Arima, Toshio Gyruss (1983, , Konami) Bailey, Donna Centipede, with Ed Logg (1980, , Atari) Nightcrawler Defender (1983?, 800/AP2, Atari) Stargate (1984?, 800, Atari) Barger, Jorn Wizard of Wor (AP2) Berzerk (AP2, Microsoft) Battenberg, Rex Zoo Keeper, with John Morgan and Rex Battenberg (1982, , Taito America) Blazczyk, Mark Zoo Keeper, with John Morgan and Rex Battenberg (1982, , Taito America) Boden, Scott [founder of Enerdyne] Star Castle (1980, , Braine, Lee Burgertime (1984, C64, Interceptor) Brewer, Chris Mach III, with Fred Darmstadt (1983?, , Mylstar) Bristow, Steve Tank (1974, , Kee) finished by Bruette, Jeff Wizard of Wor (1983, C64, Commodore) Burkhill, Keith Commando, with Nigel Alderton (1985, SPEC, Elite) Ghosts 'n Goblins (1986, SPEC, Elite) Space Harrier (1987, SPEC, Elite) Bushnell, Nolan [founder of Atari] Computer Space (1971, , Nutting Associates) Pong, with Al Alcorn (1972, , Atari) Breakout (1976, , Atari) hardware by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak Butler, Chris Commando (1985, C64, Elite) Ghosts 'n Goblins (1986, C64, Elite) Space Harrier (1987, C64, Elite) 720 (1987, C64, US Gold) Campos, Manuel Spectar (1981?, , Exidy) Cerny, Mark Major Havoc, with Owen Rubin (1984, , Atari) Marble Madness, with Bob Flanagan (1984, Atari Games, ) Clague, Larry Pulsar, with Mike Hendricks (1980, , Sega/Gremlin) Eliminator, with Mike Hendricks (1983, , Sega/Gremlin) Centipede (1983, COL, Atari) Dig-Dug (1983, COL, Atari) Clark, Dennis Bump 'N' Jump, with Joe Jacobs (1983, INT, Mattel) COINOP Colgate, Gil Xenophobe (1990?, LNX, Atari) port/redesign from Collier, Dave Hypersports (1985, C64, Imagine) Yie Ar Kung Fu (1986, C64, Ocean) Collins, Steven Badlands (1990, C64, Domark) Copeland, Ian Star Wars (1988, 800, Zeppelin Games/Domark) Craig, Douglas Brian Donkey Kong, with Howard E. Scheer (1983, TI99, Atarisoft) port from Darmstadt, Fred Arena (, Gottlieb/Mylstar Mach III, with Chris Brewer (1983?, , Mylstar) Davie, Andrew Super Pac-Man (1988?, C64) Pac-Man Junior (1988?, C64) Davis, Warren Qbert (1982, , Gottlieb) Dawe, Russell "Rusty" Cloak & Dagger (1983, , Atari) I, Robot (1983, , Atari) designed by Dave Theurer Paperboy (1984?, , Atari Games) Delman, Howard "Howie" Super Bug (1977, , Kee/Atari) Canyon Bomber (1977, , Atari) Fire Truck (1977, , Atari) aka Smokey Joe Lunar Lander (1979, , Atari) Snake Pit (1983, , Sente) DeMar, Larry Defender, with Eugene Jarvis, Sam Dicker, and Paul Dussault (1980, , Williams) Stargate, with Eugene Jarvis (1981, , Williams) Robotron: 2084, with Eugene Jarvis (1982, , Williams) Blaster, with Eugene Jarvis (1983, , Williams) The Addams Family (1992?, PIN, Williams) Dicker, Sam Sinistar, with Noah Falstein and John Newcomer (1983, , Williams) Ditton, Richard & Elaine [founders of Incredible Technologies] Journey (1983, , Bally/Midway) Donofrio, Christine Mystic Marathon, with Ken Graham (1985?, , Williams) Dragin, Doug Donkey Kong (1983, C64, Atarisoft) Vanguard, with Paul Urbanus and Garth Dollahite (1983, TI99, Atarisoft) Jungle Hunt, with Paul Urbanus (1984, TI99, Atarisoft) Dyer, Landon Myriapede (1982, 800, public domain) Centipede-like Donkey Kong (1982, 800, Atari) Super Pac-Man (1984, 800, Atari) English, Ed Frogger (1982, 2600, PB) Mr. Do! (1983, 2600, Coleco) Roc N' Rope (1983?, 2600, Coleco) Engman, Dave Tutankham (1983?, 2600, PB) Falstein, Noah Sinistar (1983, , Williams) also co-designer Feddersen, L. Heavy Barrel (1987, AP2, Quicksilver) Bad Dudes (1988, AP2, Quicksilver) Gorf (1981, , Bally/Midway) Ferris, Tim Mr. Do! (1984, 800, Datasoft) Flanagan, Bob Marble Madness, with Mark Cerny (1984, Atari Games, ) Gauntlet, with Ed Logg (1985, , Atari Games) Gauntlet II, with Ed Logg (1986, , Atari Games) Xybots, with Ed Logg (1987, Atari, ) Space Lords, with Ed Logg (1992? , Atari Games) Frye, Tod Asteroids (1980?, 800, Atari) Pac-Man (1982, 2600, Atari) Fulop, Rob [founder of P.F. Magic] Space Invaders (1979?, 800, Atari) Night Driver (1980?, 2600, Atari) Missile Command (1981,2600, Atari) Garcia, John Zaxxon (AP2, 1983, Datasoft) Gilbert, Tim Two Tigers (1984, , Bally/Midway) designed by Ron Haliburton Gomez, George TRON (1982, , Bally/Midway) Spy Hunter (1983, , Goss, Graham, Ken Mystic Marathon, with Christine Donofrio (1985?, , Williams) Granger, Arlan Rip Cord (, Exidy) Griner, Tom Robotron (1985, C64, Atarisoft/Williams) Stargate (1985, C64, Atarisoft/Williams) Haliburton, Ron [founder of Arcade Engineering, later sold to Midway] [DG] Omega Race (1981, , Bally/Midway) Two Tigers (1984, , Bally/Midway) programmed by Tim Gilbert Hally, Mike Gravitar (1982, , Atari) Star Wars (1983, , Atari) Hanawa, Steve Tranquilizer Gun (, Sega) Space Trek (, Sega) Space Odyssey (, Sega) Turbo (, Sega) Sinbad Mystery (, Sega) Monster Bash (, Sega) Hellesen, Joe Pac-Man (1983, 800, Atari) Wizard of Wor, with Joe Wagner (1984, 800, Roklan) Gyruss (1984, C64, PB) Joust (1985, C64, AtariSoft) Hendricks, Mike Pulsar, with Larry Clague (1980, , Sega/Gremlin) Eliminator, with Larry Clague (1983, , Sega/Gremlin) Herrera, Fernando Rockford, with Tony Manso and Peter Liepa (1985, AMI/, First Star) Hewitt, Dan Xevious (1984, AP2, Mindscape) Hogg, Tom Pool Shark, with Owen Rubin (1977, , Atari) Stargate (VIC, HES) Gauntlet (NES, Tengen) Super Sprint (NES, Tengen) Xybots, with Lisa Ching (NES, Tengen) Off Road Racing (GEN, Parkplace Productions) Householder, Matt Krull, with Chris Krubel (1983, , Gottlieb) Hugon, Jaques Track & Field, with Seth Lipkin (1984, 2600, GCC/Atari) Humphrey, Gerry Pooyan, with James Garon (1983, COCO, DataSoft) Hutcherson, Larry W. Sr. Mouse Trap (1981, COIN, Exidy) Fax (1983, COIN, Exidy) Hard Hat (1982, COIN, Exidy) Crossbow (1983, COIN, Exidy) Cheyenne (1984, COIN, Exidy) Combat (1985, COIN, Exidy) Chiller (1986, COIN, Exidy) Clay Pigeon (1986, COIN, Exidy) Crackshot (1986, COIN, Exidy) Top Secret (1986, COIN, Exidy) Hit 'N Miss (1987, COIN, Exidy) Pepper II (1982, COIN, Exidy) Showdown (1988, COIN, Exidy) Vertigo (1984, COIN, Exidy) Who Dunnit (1988, COIN, Exidy) Ivey, Howell Circus (1978, , Exidy) Venture (1980, , Exidy) Iwatani, Toru Pac-Man (1980, , Bally/Midway) Super Pac-Man (1982, , Bally/Midway) Jacobs, Joe Bump 'N' Jump, with Dennis Clark (1983, INT, Mattel) port Jarvis, Eugene P. Defender, with Larry DeMar, Sam Dicker, and Paul Dussault (1980, , Williams) Stargate, with Larry DeMar (1981, , Williams) Robotron: 2084, with Larry DeMar (1982, , Williams) Blaster, with Larry DeMar (1983, , Williams) F-14 Tomcat, with Ed Boon (1986, PIN, Williams) High Impact Football, with Ed Boon and John Newcomer (1991, , Williams) Jay, Rita Do Run-Run (1984, C64, Microdeal) (1984, C64, Sirius) 2600 Jones, Nick Smash T.V. (1991, C64, Virgin) Kaminski, Peter Frogger, with Tom Soulenille (1982, INT, Mattel) Kitchen, Dan Kung Fu Master (2600, 1984, ACT) Double Dragon (2600, 1985?, ACT) Kitchen, Garry Donkey Kong (1982, 2600, Coleco) Knight, Russell Rampage, with Anthony Wilson (1987, 800, ACT Europe) Knopp, Eric Space Dungeon, with Alan Merrill (1984, 5200, Atari) Jungle Hunt (1984, 5200, Atari) Moon Patrol (1984, 5200, Atari) Mario Bros. (1985, 5200, Atari) Koble, Dennis Monte Carlo (1980, , Atari) Kranish, Steve Frogger, with assistance from Dawn Stockbridge (1983?, 800/5200, PB) Krubel, Chris Krull, with Matt Householder (1983, , Gottlieb) Lafore, Robert Centipede (1982, TI99, Atarisoft) Dig-Dug (1982, TI99, Atarisoft) Landrum, Stephen H. Frogger (2600, 1982?, StarPath) Lanziger, Franz Crystal Castles, with Scott Fuller (1983, , Atari) Leavens, Alex Gorf (1982, 2600) Crazy Climber (2600, 1983?, Atari) Lee, Dan Lost Tomb (1982, , Stern) Leon, Tom TRON (1982, , Bally/Midway) wrote tank wave Spy Hunter (1983, , Bally Midway) Lipkin, Seth Track & Field, with Jaques Hugon (2600, GCC/Atari) Logg, Ed Super Breakout (1978, , Atari) Video Pinball (1979, , Atari) Football II (1979, , Atari) Asteroids, with Lyle Rains (1979, , Atari) Centipede, with Donna Bailey (1981, , Atari) Millipede (1982, , Atari) [LD] Gauntlet, with Bob Flanagan (1985, , Atari Games) [LD] Gauntlet II, with Bob Flanagan (1986, , Atari Games) Xybots, with Bob Flanagan (1987, , Atari Games) Tetris (1989, NES, Tengen) Steel Talons, with Ed Rotberg (1991, , Atari Games) Space Lords, with Bob Flanagan (1992? , Atari Games) San Francisco Rush (1997, N64, Midway) Lubeck, Olaf Frogger (1983, AP2, On-Line Systems) Mahler, Rick Space Duel (1981, , Atari) Malinowski, Tom Three Stooges (1984, , Mylstar) Masao, Kijima Crazy Climber (1980, , Nichibutsu) McHugh, Tom Gunfight, with Dave Nutting (1976, , Midway) SeaWolf (1976, , Midway) Wizard of Wor, with Dave Nutting (1981, , Midway) McNeil, Alan Berzerk (1980?, , Stern) Frenzy (1981, , Stern) sequel to Berzerk Meyer, Steve Wacko (1982, , Bally/Midway) Root Beer Tapper (1984, , Bally/Midway) Timber (1984, , Bally/Midway) Meyers, Steve Ring Destroyer, with Paul Kugler (1982, TI99,Republic) Michalec, Barbara Astro Blaster, with Gary Shannon (1981, , Sega/Gremiln) Michon, Ted Night Driver, with Dave Sheppard (1976, , Atari) Miyamoto, Shigeru Donkey Kong (1981, , Nintendo) Donkey Kong Junior (1982, , Nintendo) Mario Bros. (1983?, , Nintendo) Donkey Kong III (1983?, , D] Waverace (1996, N64, Nintendo) Morgan, John Zoo Keeper, with Mark Blazczyk and Rex Battenberg (1982, , Taito America) Redline Racer (1988, , Leland/Cinematronics) Ivan Stewart's Super Off-Road (1989, , Leland) Danny Sullivan's Indy Heat, with David Sullivan (1991, , Leland) Morgan, Robert Robocop (1988, AP2, Quicksilver) Morrison, Ian Tapper (SPEC) Murphy, Tim Bubbles (1983?, , Williams) Needle, Dave [co-creator of Atari Lynx and 3DO] Space Encounters (, Midway) Newcomer, John Joust (1982, , Williams) Splat! (1982?, , Williams) Sinistar, co-designed with Noah Falstein and Sam Dicker (1983, , Williams) Joust 2: Survival of the Fittest (1986, , Williams) High Impact Football, with Ed Boon and Eugene Jarvis (1991, , Williams) Sam Fox Strip Poker (1986, C64, Martech) Crystal Castles (2600, Atari) Nutting, Dave Sea Wolf, with Tom McHugh (1975, , Midway) Sea Wolf II (1979?, , Midway) Wizard of Wor, with Tom McHugh (1981, , Bally/Midway) Adventures of Robby Roto, with Jay Fenton (1981, , Bally/Midway) O'Donohue, Sean Dragon's Lair (1983, , Starcom/Cinematronics) Popeye (1983, C64, PB) Okamoto, Yoshiki Time Pilot (1982, , Konami) Gyruss (1983, , Konami) 1942 (1984, , Capcom) 1943 (1987, , Capcom) Sidearms (, Capcom) Fever (1983, VIC, Tronix) with Eric Robinson (1984, AP2, Datasoft) originally called Visigoth Arkanoid (1987?, AP2) NES Parod, Bill Robotron: 2084 (1983, TI99, Atarisoft) Patton, Rob Barrier (1979, , Cinematronics) War of the Worlds (1981, , Cinematronics) Paul, James Brimstone (1985?, C64?, Synapse) Pavlish, Alan Galaxian (1984, VIC, Atarisoft) Pfeiffer, Dave M.A.C.H. III (1983?, , Mylstar) Pfeiffer, Randy & Sandy [married] Qix (1981, , Taito) Pfutzenreuter, Bill "Pfutz" Inferno (198x, ) Joust (1982, , Williams) [also did programming for roughly 50 pinball machines] Pieket-Weeserik, Ronald SWIV, with John Croudy (1989, AMI/ST, Virgin) The Ninja Warriors, with John Croudy (1990, AMI/ST, Virgin) port from SWIV [Silkworm in Vertical] with John Croudy (1991, AMI/ST, Storm) Rodland (1991, AMI/ST, Storm) Polaro, Bob Defender (1982, 2600, Atari) Rampage (1986, 2600, ACT) Roadrunner (1989, 2600, Atari) Rains, Lyle Tank (1974, , Atari) started by Steve Bristow Jet Fighter (1975, , Atari) Steeplechase (1975, , Atari) Indy 800 (1975, , Kee) Sprint 2 (1976, , Kee) Football (1978, , Atari) Asteroids, with Ed Logg (1979, , Atari) Asteroids Deluxe (1980, , Atari) Reno, Michael Dig-Dug (C64, Atarisoft) Ritter, Jack Boxing Bugs (1983, ,) Rotberg, Ed Atari Baseball (1979, , Atari) Battlezone (1980, , Atari Games) Snake Pit (1984, , Sente) Hat Trick (1985, , Sente) Goalie Ghost (1986, , Sente) Blasteroids (1987?, , Atari Games) S.T.U.N. Runner (1989?, , Atari Games) Shuuz (1990, , Atari Games) Steel Talons, with Ed Logg (1991, , Atari Games) Rubin, Owen Cannonball (1976, , Atari) Pool Shark, with Tom Hogg (1977, , Atari) Triple Hunt (1977, , Atari) Skydiver (1977, , Atari) Orbit (1978?, , Atari Inc) Space War-like Tube Chase (1978, , Atari) Space Duel (1981, , Atari) prototyped by Rick Mahler Tunnel Hunt (1982, , Centuri/Atari) Major Havoc, with Mark Cerny (1984, , Atari) Goalie Ghost (1985, , Bally Sente) Shrike Avenger (1986, , Bally Sente) Grudge Match (1987, , Bally Sente) Ruddy, Steve Bubble Bobble (1987, C64, Firebird) Russo, Sam Quizimodo (1982?, , Gottlieb) Astro Blaster, with Barbara Michalec (1981, , Sega/Gremiln) [1998: with Dynamix] Shepperd, Dave Quiz Show (1976, , Kee) Fly Ball (1976, , Kee) Night Driver, with Ted Michon (1976, , Atari) Sky Raider (1978, , Atari) Asteroids Deluxe (1980, , Atari) Shrigley, Chris Defender (1983, C64, Atarisoft) Skelly, Tim Starhawk (1978, , Cinematronics) Sundance (1978, , Cinematronics) Warrior (1979, , Cinematronics/Vectorbeam) Rip-Off (1980, , Cinematronics) Star Castle (1980, , Cinematronics) programmed by Scott Boden Armor Attack (1981, , Cinematronics) Reactor (1982, , Gottlieb) Deluxe Music Trivia, with Scott Boden (1985, ) Small, Daniel [founder of Scavenger] Qbert (800, 1982, PB) Smith, Bob Star Wars: The Arcade Game (1984, 2600, PB) [later worked for Accolade and EA] Sonday, Tom Satan's Hollow (C64, CBS) Stewart, Brad Breakout (2600, Atari) Asteroids (1981, 2600, Atari) Star Wars: The Arcade Game (800, PB) Stozenfield, Jim Donkey Kong (VIC, Atarisoft) Temple, Ed Amidar (1982, 2600, PB) Front Line (1983?, 2600, Coleco) with David Seal & Jon Partington (Topologika) Theurer, Dave Soccer (1980, , Atari) Missile Command (1980, , Atari) Tempest (1981, , Atari) I, Robot (1984, , Atari Games) project led by Rusty Dawe A.P.B. (1987, , Atari Games) Thompson, Peter Peter Packrat (1985?, , Atari) Tomlinson, John Mission X (1983, INT, Mattel) Toshihiro Nishikado Space Invaders (1978, , Taito) licensed to Midway Space Invaders Deluxe (1979, , Taito) licensed to Midway Space Invaders II (1979, , Taito) licensed to Midway Turmell, Mark Smash TV (1990, , Williams) Total Carnage (1992, , Williams) NBA Jam (1993, , Midway) Valleau, Edward Robot Bowl (, Exidy) Circus (, Exidy) Trapeze (, Exidy) Crash (, Exidy) Wagner, Joe Wizard of Wor, with Joe Hellesen (1984, 800, Roklan) Webb, Martin Outrun (C64, US Gold) White, Mark A. Nibbler (1983, 800, Datasoft) Defense(1984, C64, H.E.S.) Whitehead, Bob Star Ship (1977, 2600, Atari) EA] Winans, Mike Lock 'N' Chase (1982?, INT, Mattel) ; minor improvements added by Julie Witts, Bill Battlezone (1984, SPEC, Quicksilva) Yabumoto, Kan Mad Planets (1983, , Gottlieb) -founder of Muse Sofware] Zdybel, Robert Missile Command (1981?, 800, Atari) Zedeck, Stephen A. Tutankham (1983, TI99, PB)

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