Warren Spector: Difference between revisions

'''Warren Evan Spector''' (born October 2, 1955<ref name="Dragon #123">{{Cite magazine |date=July 1987 |title=TSR Profiles |magazine=Dragon |location=[[Lake Geneva, Wisconsin]] |publisher=TSR, Inc. |issue=#123 |page=88}}</ref>) is an American [[role-playing game|role-playing]] and [[video game]] [[game design|designer]], director, writer, producer and production designer. He is known for creating [[immersive sim]] games, which give players a wide variety of choices in how to progress.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Spector |first=Warren |title=Choice and consequence talk |date=6 January 2014 |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/208079/Video_Warren_Spector_talks_choice_and_consequence_at_PRACTICE_2013.php |publisher=gamasutra.com}}</ref> Consequences of those choices are then shown in the simulated game world in subsequent levels or missions. He is best known for the critically acclaimed video game ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]'' that embodies the choice and consequence philosophy while combining elements of the [[first-person shooter]], [[role-playing game|role-playing]], and [[adventure game]] [[video game genre|genres]].{{sfn|Spector|2000}} In addition to ''Deus Ex,'' Spector is known for his work while employed by [[Looking Glass Studios]], where he was involved in the creation of several acclaimed titles including ''[[Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss|Ultima Underworld]]'', ''[[Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds|Ultima Underworld II]], [[System Shock]]'', and ''[[Thief: The Dark Project]]''. He is employed by [[OtherSide Entertainment]], where he was part of the development team for now-cancelledthe stalled ''[[System Shock 2#Sequel projects|System Shock 3]]''.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> He is currently{{when|date=August 2024}} working on a new immersive sim based on an original intellectual property.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2022-03-12 |title=How Warren Spector got back to making his latest game |url=https://venturebeat.com/2022/03/12/how-warren-spector-got-back-to-making-his-latest-game/ |access-date=2022-03-20 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1989, Spector entered the [[video game industry]] and joined [[Origin Systems|Origin]], where he co-produced ''[[Ultima VI]]'' and ''[[Wing Commander (video game)|Wing Commander]]'' and produced ''[[Ultima Underworld: The Stygian Abyss|Ultima Underworld]]'' and ''[[Ultima Underworld II: Labyrinth of Worlds|Ultima Underworld II]]'', ''[[Ultima VII Part Two: Serpent Isle]]'', ''[[System Shock]]'', ''[[Wings of Glory]]'', ''[[Bad Blood (video game)|Bad Blood]]'', ''[[Ultima: Worlds of Adventure 2: Martian Dreams|Martian Dreams]]'', and others.<ref name="HG" />{{sfn|Spector|2000|p=50}} He later became general manager of [[Looking Glass Studios|Looking Glass Austin]].<ref name="HG" /> He worked briefly on ''Dark Camelot'', which later became ''[[Thief: The Dark Project]]''.{{citation needed|date=July 2014}} However, Spector left Looking Glass soon afterward, just before ''Thief'' shipped, to pursue other interests.<ref>{{Cite AV Mediamedia |last=G4Icons |title=G4 Icons Episode #30: Warren Spector |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUD12IjuVBc |via=[[YouTube]] |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/QUD12IjuVBc| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live |access-date=13 August 2015 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> According to Spector, his decision to dissolve the Austin branch was prompted by the company's ongoing financial struggles and the realization that "continued existence of the Austin Studio was going to jeopardise the existence of Looking Glass overall".<ref name="Lane2018">{{Cite magazine |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=16 February 2018 |title=The History of Ion Storm |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/the-history-of-ion-storm/ |magazine=[[PC Gamer]] |access-date=8 February 2020}}</ref>

In 1996, Spector was about to sign a contract with EA to do an unannounced project (which was revealed to be a "''Command & Conquer'' Role-Playing Game") when he got a call from [[John Romero]] to join him at [[Ion Storm]]; Romero persuaded Spector by offering him the chance to make the game of his dreams with no creative interference and a big marketing budget.<ref name="Lane2018" /> Spector later agreed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Game Informer |title=Replay - Deus Ex |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOPHmbulMp4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/HOPHmbulMp4| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|access-date=13 August 2015 |website=YouTube|date=August 18, 2012 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 1997 he founded Ion Storm's Austin development studio, and his "dream project" later became the award-winning action/RPG called ''[[Deus Ex (video game)|Deus Ex]]''.<ref name="HG" />{{sfn|Spector|2000|p=50}} As Ion Storm studio director, he oversaw development of ''[[Deus Ex: Invisible War]]'' (2003) and ''[[Thief: Deadly Shadows]]'' (2004).<ref name="HG" /> In 2004, Spector left Ion Storm to "pursue personal interests outside the company".<ref name="GameSpot">{{Cite web |last=Tor Thorsen |title=Warren Spector exits Eidos |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2004/11/08/news_6112661.html |access-date=2007-05-04 |website=GameSpot }}</ref> Ion Storm was closed by owners [[Eidos Interactive]] in February 2005.<ref name="GameSpot3">{{Cite web |last=Tor Thorsen |title=Ion Storm closes its doors |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/ion-storm-closes-its-doors/1100-6118364/ |access-date=2007-05-05 |website=GameSpot }}</ref>

* ''[[One Thing After Another]]'' – [[Puffin Books]] – (Marvel Super Heroes Gamebook #5)<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=679371206995374080 |user=JoseZagal |title=Time to get back to the classics... :-) Thanks @Warren_Spector ! |author=Jose Zagal |date=22 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=679646997645676544 |user=Warren_Spector |title=@JoseZagal Here's a picture of Stan Lee autographing a copy of One Thing After Another. A big, big moment for me! |author=Warren Spector |date=23 December 2015}}</ref>