Abandonware DOS title
Saturday, 23rd May 2020

The best DOS game designers of the past

Back in the last century (I'm talking about the 90s, the 80s and even the 70s), video games were often developed and sometimes published by a small group of programmers.
Among the team were the "designer", the one who came up with the idea of the game in the first place and worked on the first draft of the project.
It was a time when game designers wrote developer diaries published by video game magazines, and I'm sure that some of you remember those diaries on magazines like Crash, Zzap64, etc.

Here's a list of some of the best game designers of the DOS gaming era, listed alphabetically. 

authoroccupationknown for
Al Lowevideo game designer, game programmer, musicianLeisure Suit Larry
Alexey Pajitnovvideo game designer and computer engineerTetris
Andrew Braybrooksoftware engineer, game programmerParadroid, Uridium
Brian Fargogame designer, programmer, producerThe Bard's Tale 2 and 3, Wastelands, Fallout
Chris Robertsgame designerWing Commander, Times of Lore
Chris Sawyergame developerTransport Tycoon, Roller Coaster Tycoon
David Brabengame designer, programmer and entrepreneurElite, Frontier
Eugene JarvisVideo game designer and programmerDefender, Robotron: 2084
Hideo KojimaVideo game designer, writer, director, producerMetal Gear, Snatcher
Jane Jensengame designer, authorThe Gabriel Knight series
Jeff MinterProgrammer, game designerGridrunner, Attack of the Mutant Camels, Tempest 2000
John Romerogame designer, game programmerCommander Keen, Doom, Quake
Jon Haregame designer, musicianWizball, Sensible Soccer, Cannon Fodder
Jon Van Caneghemgame designerMight and Magic, Heroes of Might and Magic
Jordan MechnerVideo game designer, screenwriter, author, filmmakerPrince of Persia, Karateka
Julian Gollopgame designerX-COM: UFO Defense, Laser Squad
Mike Singletoncomputer programmer, game designerThe Lords of Midnight, War in Middle Earth, Midwinter
Peter Molyneuxgame designer, game programmerPopulous, Magic Carpet, Powermonger
Richard Garriottgame designerThe Ultima series
Roberta Williamsgame designer, writerThe King's Quest series, Sierra On-Line co-founder
Ron Gilbertgame designer, programmer, producerManiac Mansion, Zak McKracken, Monkey Island
Shigeru MiyamotoGame designer, game producerMario, The Legend of Zelda, Donkey Kong
Sid Meiergame programmer, game designer, producerCivilization, Railroad Tycoon, Pirates!
Steve Eric Meretzkygame designerPlanetfall, Spellcasting 101, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Warren Spectorgame designerUltima Underworld, Deus Ex, System Shock
Will Wrightgame designerSimCity, The Sims, Spore