Notable employees Origin Systems

the 1980s version of origin systems logo



the 1990s version of origin systems logo

origin employed many young game developers on tenure have since gone on leading roles in numerous game development companies, in austin. among prominent employees (alphabetically):

aaron martin - developer (1990-1992) gaming systems multiple releases. focused on assembly language , c++. developed , ported 3d graphic engines, , interactive music systems enhance, , provide next-gen gaming experiences. after, went security , decided become engineer , capitalist around globe.


andrew sega - music composer (1995 - 1998)

aka necros; software engineer/composer went on work digital anvil.


britt daniel - sound designer, composer (1994)

was composer numerous titles , went on found rock band spoon.


chris roberts - game designer, creative director (1989 - 1996)

creator of wing commander series, strike commander , later starlancer, freelancer, , star citizen space simulator games. founder of digital anvil, later acquired microsoft. current founder of cloud imperium games


denis loubet - artist (1989 - 2002)

was first artist origin hired. did many box cover paintings, manual illustrations, in-game art , animation, , cinematics.


frank roan - game designer, programmer, director, producer (1993-1998)

ai programmer on wing 3, lead programmer on wing 4, project director on wing prophecy, senior producer in maverick group.


john romero - programmer (1987-1988)

was shortly working origin before co-founding id software.


jason templeman- programmer, game designer (1989-1995)

worked on savage empire , lead programmer strike commander. , paul isaac produced 3d graphics system origin systems used rest of history. jason later founded , presided logic factory winning several awards.


ken demarest - game designer, programmer (1990-1995)

created technical prototype ultima online, directed bioforge, led programming on ultima vii , coded on wing commander.


m. a. al nelson - art department manager, ap (1991-1992)

after origin, nelson worked project manager @ sony online entertainment , bioware.


marten davies - director/vp sales (1991-1994)

having founded first uk games software publisher in us. firebird licensees inc. in 1985 , went on co found digital anvil chris roberts , others.


martin galway - sound designer/composer, audio technician (1991-1994)

who went on work @ digital anvil.


mike mcshaffry - lead developer (1990-1997)

later co-founded other austin studios , has written , taught on game development theory.


paul isaac - lead programmer (1987-1997)

was technical lead on wing commander , strike commander series. later became lead developer @ digital anvil worked on freelancer , more joined affinity engineering lead.


paul steed - artist (1991-1995)

was leading artist on wing commander series , went on serve art lead id software on quake series.


raph koster - lead designer (1995 - 2003)

later joined sony online entertainment in austin developing everquest ii , star wars galaxies.


richard tolar - programming (1997 - 1998)

was 1 of linux port team members.


raymond benson- writer, audio (1992-1993)

was head writer on ultima vii: black gate, contributed writing ultima vii, part two—serpent isle, , went on work game designer microprose , viacom new media, later became official continuation author of james bond novels.


richard garriott - co-founder, game designer, programmer (1989 - 2000)

aka lord british , creator of ultima; later founded destination games, acquired nc soft.


rob corell - programming, voice acting(1992-1995)

worked on wing commander franchise, ultima viii , crusader. went on simtex worked on master of orion ii. spent 11 years @ adobe systems senior architect numerous projects, including createpdf.com, adobe bridge , photoshop.com. works @ portalarium.


robert garriott - co-founder, business (1989 - 2000)

brother of richard garriott, cofounded origin , destination games.


sheri graner ray - writer, designer (1993-1994)

went on work several major companies including sony online entertainment , cartoon network. founder of women in games international.


starr long - qa lead, designer (1992 - 2000)

director of ultima online, , co-founder of destination games


brian white - qa, artist (1995 - 1999)

was on felucca design team.


tom chilton - lead designer (2001-2003)

was lead designer on ultima online: age of shadows , went on lead designer blizzard entertainment.


tony zurovec - programmer, designer (1992-1996)

was designer on crusader: no remorse , crusader: no regret , worked on ultima viii: pagan. went on work company digital anvil on loose cannon.


warren spector - producer (1989 - 1996)

producer of ultima underworld developed doug church , looking glass studios system shock, wings of glory , numerous other titles. later joined ion storm inc. , managed austin office, creating deus ex.


zack booth simpson - programmer (1992-1995)

was origin s director of technology , research fellow , went on co-found titanic entertainment , later became pioneer of interactivity fine art installations in museums around world.


eric maleki avila - player relations manager (1995-2004)

head game master ultima online. responsible live content , event coordinator program 1997-2004. left origin assume role of customer service manager blizzard entertainment (world of warcraft)