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| | birth_date = August 14, 1953<!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people supply only the year with {{Birth year and age|YYYY}} unless the exact date is already widely published, as per ]. For people who have died, use {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}}. --> | | birth_date = August 14, 1953<ref name=cj>{{cite web|url=http://fools-errand.com/01-CJ/index.htm|title=Cliff Johnson|work=fools-errand.com|accessdate=September 23, 2017}}</ref><!-- {{birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}} for living people supply only the year with {{Birth year and age|YYYY}} unless the exact date is already widely published, as per ]. For people who have died, use {{Birth date|YYYY|MM|DD}}. --> | ||
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| == Biography == | == Biography == | ||
| Johnson was born August 14, 1953 in ], the only child of Norman and Leatrice Johnson. He attended ] in ], which is where he started making ] movies. |
Johnson was born August 14, 1953 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. He would later attend ]'s film school, where he became a teaching assistant in ], and created some of the ]esque animations for ]'s ] series '']''.<ref name=maher/><ref name=cj/> | ||
| In 1984, using his first computer, a 512 ] so-called "Fat" ], he learned to ], and created |
In 1984, using his first computer, a 512 ] so-called "Fat" ], he learned to ], and created the game, '']'', which in 1987 won "Best Puzzle Game of the Year" from ], and was declared "Best Retro Game Ever" by British ] magazine.<ref name=retro>{{cite web|publisher=''GamesTM''|archivedate=June 2005|title=Retrospective: Cliff Johnson|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051103030427/http://www.thefoolsgold.com/CJ/games-magazine.pdf|url=http://www.thefoolsgold.com/CJ/games-magazine.pdf|format=pdf|accessdate=September 23, 2017}}</ref>) | ||
| 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.<ref name=cj/> | ||
| In 2002, Johnson designed a $100,000 Challenge for the book '']'' by street magician ]. It was solved in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fools-errand.com/09-TH/book-excerpts.htm|publisher=fools-errand.com|author=Johnson, Cliff|accessdate=September 23, 2017}}</ref> | In 2002, Johnson designed a $100,000 Challenge for the book '']'' by street magician ]. It was solved in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fools-errand.com/09-TH/book-excerpts.htm|publisher=fools-errand.com|author=Johnson, Cliff|title=Mysterious Stranger Book Excerpts|accessdate=September 23, 2017}}</ref> | ||
| ==Authored games== | ==Authored games== | ||
Revision as of 23:45, 23 September 2017
| Cliff Johnson | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 14, 1953 Hanover, New Hampshire |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Game designer |
| Years active | 1984– |
| Notable work | The Fool's Errand, 3 in Three |
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. His games have won awards such as "Best Puzzle Game of the Year" and "Best Retro Game Ever".
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. He would later attend 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 KB so-called "Fat" Mac, he learned to program, and created the 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 a $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 (2012)
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
- ^ "Cliff Johnson". fools-errand.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- ^ Maher, Jimmy (November 20, 2015). "Cliff Johnson's Fools Errand". The Digital Antiquarian. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
- "Retrospective: Cliff Johnson" (PDF). GamesTM. Archived from the original (pdf) on June 2005. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|archivedate=(help); Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - Johnson, Cliff. "Mysterious Stranger Book Excerpts". fools-errand.com. Retrieved September 23, 2017.
External links
- Cliff Johnson at MobyGames
- Johnson's official website (click on the image at the upper right to see his biography timeline)
- Inside Mac Games, March 31, 2003, "Cliff Johnson's April Fool's Treasure Hunt"