Senior Citizen Game Developers?

March 1, 2018 2:48 PM

Are there any independent video game developers who are also senior citizens?

Definitions of "independent" will vary, I expect, but I'm picturing small studios, like teams of 8 at the very most. Bonus points for solo developers. Thanks!

posted by sleevener to Technology (7 answers total)

Definitions of "senior" may vary too. It's not common to self-identify as a "senior citizen" before retiring.

If what you mean is you mean "over age n", read through this recent question and then ask yourself how likely it is that a developer, especially a game developer, would broadcast their age.
posted by tangerine at 3:57 PM on March 1, 2018

I know two off the top of my head but they're on distributed teams and not advertising their ages.
posted by DarlingBri at 4:15 PM on March 1, 2018

You're seeing it more as people who have been around for a long time age into their 50s and 60s. Off the top of my head—Jeff Minter (Tempest 2000, etc.), has been an indie game developer for decades.

It's happened on Kickstarter for people who developed big followings when they worked for big companies in the 80s and 90s and are coming back for spiritual successors—Ron Gilbert and Gary Winnick went from Maniac Mansion and LucasArts to their own game (Thimbleweed Park), and there are more like that.

Most people who are just getting into game development are in their teens and twenties—I guess this would be true of most jobs and creative pursuits—but I've known a few people in their 30s and 40s who got into it "sideways" from being musicians, filmmakers, etc.
posted by Polycarp at 4:38 PM on March 1, 2018

A lot of places give senior discounts at 55+, so I suspect this is common albeit tricky to determine if people are sort of circumspect about it on their resumes.

One developer who may or may not meet your criteria is David Dunham, whose King of Dragon Pass is legendary. He has a new game in development called Six Ages: website, design blog, developer interview.
posted by Wobbuffet at 4:56 PM on March 1, 2018 [1 favorite]

Best answer: I just turned 50, and am trying to get the hang of Unity. I suspect I will qualify by the time I am able to make anything remotely fun to play.
posted by bashos_frog at 5:01 PM on March 1, 2018 [3 favorites]

Richard Garriott of Ultima fame is 56.3

There are a number of older people at Nintendo.
posted by TomFoolery at 5:52 PM on March 1, 2018

Best answer: This 82-Year-Old Woman Is WWDC’s Oldest Attendee Wakamiya, who first started using computers when she was 60-years-old, ultimately created a game in March that is based on the Japanese doll festival, Hinamatsuri, a holiday that celebrates the health and well-being of girls.
posted by RobotVoodooPower at 5:54 PM on March 1, 2018 [7 favorites]