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Industry veteran Don Daglow speaks on the evolution of games

The owner of one of the most storied careers in video game development opens up to us from Reboot Develop Blue in Croatia.

Chris Jarrard

April 26, 2019 11:35 AM

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The nexus of video game development took place way back in the early 1970s as computers were becoming more available to the general public. Don Daglow is one of the pioneers of video game development, cutting his teeth on a wide array of influential games from that time period, including the first baseball game, as well as the first computer role-playing game.

While on location in Croatia for Reboot Develop Blue, our video team got the opportunity to speak with Daglow and get his thoughts on the current state of the industry and the role that independent games play in the wider software entertainment ecosystem.

Don Daglow has seen it all when it comes to video game development. With a career spanning four decades, Daglow has had a hand in the success of multiple consoles, games, and development studios. He was on the original software development team for the Intellivision, as well as having productive stints with legendary studios like Electronic Arts and Broderbund. His game Utopia was the first simulation-style game made available to the public and was hugely influential to the success of games like SimCity and Populous.

Daglow went on to form Stormfront Studios in San Rafael, California in 1988. A few of the hits he worked on at the studio include Tony La Russa Baseball, Neverwinter Nights, and Stronghold. He was elected to the Board of Directors of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences in 2007 and continues to travel the world as a lecturer, panelist, and keynote speaker at video game conferences all over the globe.

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Chris Jarrard

Contributing Tech Editor

Chris Jarrard likes playing games, crankin' tunes, and looking for fights on obscure online message boards. He understands that breakfast food is the only true food. Don't @ him.