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| '''Cliff Johnson''' (born |
'''Cliff Johnson''' (born 1953) is an ] ], best known for the early ] ]s '']'' (1987) and '']'' (1990). Both games were notable for unique visual puzzles and a metapuzzle structure. | ||
| == Biography == | == Biography == | ||
| Johnson was born ], ] in ], the only child of Norman and Leatrice Johnson. He attended ] in ], which is where he started making ] movies. In 1972, he had jobs "building monsters" for five different amusement parks, 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 '']''. | Johnson was born ], ] in ], the only child of Norman and Leatrice Johnson. He attended ] in ], which is where he started making ] movies. In 1972, he had jobs "building monsters" for five different amusement parks, 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 |
In 1984, 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. | ||
| 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 |
In 2002, Johnson designed the ] for the book '']'' by street magician ]. It was solved in 2004. | ||
| ==Authored games== | ==Authored games== | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1987) — '']'''s Best Puzzle Game of the Year. | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1989) | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1990) | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1990) — '']''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s Best Game of the Year; '']'''s Best Puzzle Game of the Year. | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1993) | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1994) | ||
| *'']'' ( |
*'']'' (1995) | ||
| *'']'' (projected 2008) | *'']'' (projected 2008) | ||
| == Other contributed works == | == Other contributed works == | ||
| * Game Design: '']'', website contest, |
* Game Design: '']'', website contest, 1996 | ||
| * Game Design: '']'', |
* Game Design: '']'', 1998 | ||
| * Treasure Hunt Design: ]'s '']'' book, |
* Treasure Hunt Design: ]'s '']'' book, 2002 | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
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| * ''GamesTM'', June 2005, "Retrospective: Cliff Johnson" () | * ''GamesTM'', June 2005, "Retrospective: Cliff Johnson" () | ||
| * ''Inside Mac Games'', March 31, 2003, | * ''Inside Mac Games'', March 31, 2003, | ||
| {{Persondata | {{Persondata | ||
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| |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Sea Jay | |ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Sea Jay | ||
| |SHORT DESCRIPTION=American game designer | |SHORT DESCRIPTION=American game designer | ||
| |DATE OF BIRTH= |
|DATE OF BIRTH=1953 | ||
| |PLACE OF BIRTH=]] | |PLACE OF BIRTH=]] | ||
| |DATE OF DEATH= | |DATE OF DEATH= | ||
| |PLACE OF DEATH= | |PLACE OF DEATH= | ||
| }} | }} | ||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Cliff}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Johnson, Cliff}} | ||
| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 00:25, 7 September 2008
Cliff Johnson (born 1953) is an American game designer, best known for the early computer puzzle games The Fool's Errand (1987) 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 Leatrice Johnson. He attended Bristol Eastern High School in Connecticut, which is where he started making Super 8 movies. In 1972, he had jobs "building monsters" for five different amusement parks, 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.
Authored games
- The Fool's Errand (1987) — GAMES Magazine's Best Puzzle Game of the Year.
- 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 2008)
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"