| Revision as of 10:52, 6 July 2006 editNandesuka (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users13,890 edits →Authored games: sigh← Previous edit | Revision as of 16:58, 6 July 2006 edit undoElonka (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Administrators70,958 edits Expansion of biographical infoNext edit → | ||
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| == Biography == | == Biography == | ||
| Johnson |
Johnson was born ], ] in ], the only child of Norman and Leatice Johnson. He attended ], which is where he started making ] movies. In 1972, he had a job "building monsters", and then later he attended ]'s film school, where he became a teaching assistant in ], and created some of the ]esque animations for ]'s ] series '']''. | ||
| In ], using his first computer, a 512 ] so-called "Fat" ], he learned to ], and created his first game, ''The Fool's Errand'', which in 1987 won "Best Puzzle Game of the Year" from ], and was declared "Best Retro Game Ever" by British ] magazine. | In ], using his first computer, a 512 ] so-called "Fat" ], he learned to ], and created his first game, ''The Fool's Errand'', which in 1987 won "Best Puzzle Game of the Year" from ], and was declared "Best Retro Game Ever" by British ] magazine. | ||
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| From 1990-1995, he directed the ''*FunHouse*'' production group for ], and from 1996-2001, he consulted with ], ] and ] for online puzzles and treasure hunts. | From 1990-1995, he directed the ''*FunHouse*'' production group for ], and from 1996-2001, he consulted with ], ] and ] for online puzzles and treasure hunts. | ||
| In ], Johnson designed the ] for the book '']'' by street magician ]. | In ], Johnson designed the ] for the book '']'' by street magician ]. It was solved in 2004. | ||
| Johnson presently lives in ] with his wife, and since 2003 has been working on a sequel to ''The Fool's Errand'', called '']''. | |||
| ==Authored games== | ==Authored games== | ||
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| == References == | == References == | ||
| * | * (click on the image at the upper right to see his biography timeline) | ||
| * ''GamesTM'', June 2005, "Retrospective: Cliff Johnson" () | * ''GamesTM'', June 2005, "Retrospective: Cliff Johnson" () | ||
| * ''Inside Mac Games'', March 31, 2003, | * ''Inside Mac Games'', March 31, 2003, | ||
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Revision as of 16:58, 6 July 2006
Cliff Johnson (born 1953) is an American game designer, best known for the early computer puzzle games The Fool's Errand (1987 Game of the Year) and 3 in Three (1990). Both games were notable for unique visual puzzles and a metapuzzle structure.
Biography
Johnson was born August 14, 1953 in Hanover, New Hampshire, the only child of Norman and Leatice Johnson. He attended Bristol Eastern High School, which is where he started making Super 8 movies. In 1972, he had a job "building monsters", and then later he attended University of Southern California's film school, where he became a teaching assistant in animation, and created some of the Monty Pythonesque animations for Nickelodeon's television series Out of Control.
In 1984, using his first computer, a 512 KiB so-called "Fat" Mac, he learned to program, and created his first game, The Fool's Errand, which in 1987 won "Best Puzzle Game of the Year" from GAMES Magazine, and was declared "Best Retro Game Ever" by British GamesTM magazine.
From 1990-1995, he directed the *FunHouse* production group for Philips Media, and from 1996-2001, he consulted with Mattel, Warner Bros. and Disney for online puzzles and treasure hunts.
In 2002, Johnson designed the $100,000 Challenge for the book Mysterious Stranger by street magician David Blaine. It was solved in 2004.
Johnson presently lives in Canada with his wife, and since 2003 has been working on a sequel to The Fool's Errand, called The Fool and His Money.
Authored games
- The Fool's Errand (1987)
- At the Carnival (1989)
- Disney's Cartoon Arcade (1990)
- 3 in Three (1990) — MacUser's Best Game of the Year; GAMES Magazine's Best Puzzle Game of the Year;
- Hanna Barbera's Cartoon Carnival (1993)
- Merlin's Apprentice (1994)
- Labyrinth of Crete (1995)
- The Fool and His Money (projected December 2006)
Other contributed works
- Game Design: Disney's The Hunt for the Lost Toy, website contest, 1996
- Game Design: Of Light and Darkness: The Prophecy, 1998
- Treasure Hunt Design: David Blaine's Mysterious Stranger book, 2002
References
- Johnson's official website (click on the image at the upper right to see his biography timeline)
- GamesTM, June 2005, "Retrospective: Cliff Johnson" (PDF)
- Inside Mac Games, March 31, 2003, "Cliff Johnson's April Fool's Treasure Hunt"