id Software. continuously making masterpieces after masterpieces.
Phil Spencer, Aaron Greenberg, Major Nelson, and Jason Ronald
all XBOX guys to trigger the OP
I don't even know who the last guy is.
Tbh, I don't think any company has really done anything remarkable in a long, long time. The last major innovation to video games was probably Xbox Live back in 2002 which blew online gaming for consoles wide open. But even that was basically the continuation of an idea pioneered by Sega. Controllers haven't really changed. Games get more detail, sure but there's really nothing new every generation besides more detail. Hardware just increases RAM and clock speeds, and the games at this point tend to be generic cookie cutter TPS/FPS titles. So, on to my answer.
First off, Nintendo has to be on that list. They brought back gaming from complete destruction after '83, they deserve a big part.
Secondly, Sega deserves to be there. They started the idea of online gaming, had downloadable content as far back as on the Genesis, they also invented the analog trigger.
Sony gets credit for the PS1, IMO probably the best console ever made and made a huge impact to the beginning of the 3D gaming era along side Nintendo. They also pioneered the dual analog controller, creating the basic configuration of a controller that has lasted for 20 years with two clickable sticks, 4 face buttons, a d-pad, four shoulder buttons, and a start+select.
And of course, Microsoft has to be on there. Without Xbox Live, online gaming would be nowhere close to where it is now. I think the kind of online services they created also inspired Steam into becoming what it is today. And there is no question that Windows been the platform of many, many PC games going back to the 1980s. If M$ doesn't get credit for Xbox, then it certainly gets some for PC.
My initial post was for companies. For individuals I would go with:
- Hideo Kojima
- Shigeru Miyamoto
- Hironobu Sakaguchi
- Shinji Mikami
@Pedro: "Mount Rushmore? Isn't that violated native american land for the vanity of certain kind of men?"
Found the racist.
@bluestars: I'm going to laugh my ass off if nothing really comes from this acquisition. It's the second coming for you Lems. After being starved for games for a generation, guess I can't blame you.
Mario
Link
Master Chief
Doom Guy
Two Nintendo characters and two Microsoft.
I'm not sure I'd go that far. The reality is Halo was based HEAVILY on Doom and similar games. Without a Doom Guy there would be no Master Chief. And as Doom Guy started an entire genre, sure, you could put him on a pedestal over others when choosing characters. Mario as well. But I think there's probably other, better genre defining characters besides Link and MC out there.
@NathanDrakeSwag:
If I could put a 5th, it would be Richard Garriott, creator of Ultima (the first successful computer RPG).
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