Jump to content

Jon Van Caneghem: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
Rescuing 2 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0
→Career: updated link
 
(21 intermediate revisions by 17 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|American video game designer}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Jon Van Caneghem
| name = Jon Van Caneghem
| image = Jon Van Caneghem.jpg
| image = Jon Van Caneghem.jpg
| caption = Jon Van Caneghem Interview Photo
| caption =
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|df=yes|33|1996|3|11}}
| birth_date = {{Birth based on age as of date|df=yes|33|1996|3|11}}
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
Line 12: Line 14:
|}}
|}}


'''Jon Van Caneghem''' (born 1962/1963)<ref name="FreeLibrary">[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AN+EDUCATION+IN+GAME+MARKET%5C33-year-old%27s+magical+touch+has...-a083922610 AN EDUCATION IN GAME MARKET\33-year-old's magical touch has transformed passion for role playing\adventures into a lucrative reality] from TheFreeLibrary.com</ref> is an American [[Video game producer|video game director]], [[video game design|designer]] and [[video game producer|producer]]. He is best known for launching development studio [[New World Computing]] in 1983, making his design debut in 1986 with ''[[Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum]]''. During the company's 20-year lifespan, Van Caneghem was involved in the creation and direction of several franchises, including the ''[[Might and Magic]]'' role-playing series and the spin-off ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'' and ''[[King's Bounty]]'' strategy series.
'''Jon Van Caneghem''' (born 1962/1963)<ref name="FreeLibrary">[http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AN+EDUCATION+IN+GAME+MARKET%5C33-year-old%27s+magical+touch+has...-a083922610 AN EDUCATION IN GAME MARKET\33-year-old's magical touch has transformed passion for role playing\adventures into a lucrative reality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016024716/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/AN+EDUCATION+IN+GAME+MARKET%5C33-year-old%27s+magical+touch+has...-a083922610 |date=16 October 2013 }} from TheFreeLibrary.com</ref> is an American [[Video game producer|video game director]], [[video game design|designer]] and [[video game producer|producer]]. He is best known for launching development studio [[New World Computing]] in 1983, making his design debut in 1986 with ''[[Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum]]''. During the company's 20-year lifespan, Van Caneghem was involved in the creation and direction of several franchises, including the ''[[Might and Magic]]'' role-playing series and the spin-off ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'' and ''[[King's Bounty]]'' strategy series.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Line 19: Line 21:


== Career ==
== Career ==
⚫
In 1983, Van Caneghem founded New World Computing, a publisher and [[video game developer|developer]] of [[computer]] and [[video game console|console games]].


⚫
Their first title was the medieval fantasy ''[[Might and Magic: Secret of the Inner Sanctum]]''—one of the first role-playing games to feature detailed drawings of both indoor and outdoor locations.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HJNvZLvpCEQC&q=jon+van+caneghem&pg=PA212|title=High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games|first=Rusel|last=DeMaria|date=1 January 2004|publisher=McGraw-Hill/Osborne|isbn=9780072231724|page=212}}</ref> It debuted in 1986 for the [[Apple II]].<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_08.shtml The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111001815/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_08.shtml |date=11 November 2010 }} from ''[[Gamasutra]]''</ref> The series went on to include nine bestselling games, all of which Van Caneghem co-created. In 1990 Van Caneghem released ''[[King's Bounty]]'', the forerunner of the ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'' series of seven games which feature turn-based, fantasy-themed conflicts in which players control armies of mythical creatures.
⚫
In 1983, Van Caneghem founded New World Computing, a publisher and [[video game developer|developer]] of [[computer game|computer]] and [[video game console|console games]].

⚫
Their first title was the medieval fantasy ''[[Might and Magic: Secret of the Inner Sanctum]]''—one of the first role-playing games to feature detailed drawings of both indoor and outdoor locations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HJNvZLvpCEQC&pg=PA212&lpg=PA212&dq=jon%20van%20caneghem&source=bl&ots=sx0miudErI&sig=sHINRqlecKXXrvAGUa3YS3xVWGU&hl=en&ei=WQxTTOnIEIuEvgPit8gY&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDAQ6AEwBTge#v=onepage&q=jon%20van%20caneghem&f=false|title=High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games|first=Rusel|last=DeMaria|date=1 January 2004|publisher=McGraw-Hill/Osborne|via=Google Books}}</ref> It debuted in 1986 for the [[Apple II]].<ref>[http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_08.shtml The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111001815/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20070223b/barton_08.shtml |date=11 November 2010 }} from ''[[Gamasutra]]''</ref> The series went on to include nine bestselling games, all of which Van Caneghem co-created. In 1990 Van Caneghem released ''[[King's Bounty]]'', the forerunner of the ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic]]'' series of seven games which feature turn-based, fantasy-themed conflicts in which players control armies of mythical creatures.


In the following 20 years as president and CEO of New World Computing, Van Caneghem oversaw the publishing of more than 250 titles worldwide.
In the following 20 years as president and CEO of New World Computing, Van Caneghem oversaw the publishing of more than 250 titles worldwide.


Van Caneghem sold New World Computing to developer and publisher [[The 3DO Company|3DO]] in 1996 for US$13 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/3DO+and+NTN+Inc.+Complete+New+World+Computing+Acquisition-a018489789|title=3DO and NTN Inc. Complete New World Computing Acquisition.}}</ref> He remained with 3DO as president and "lead visionary" until 2003 when 3DO filed for bankruptcy and eliminated its New World Computing division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/3DO-files-for-bankruptcy/2100-1047_3-1011266.html|title=3DO files for bankruptcy|author=David Becker}}</ref> The rights to the ''Might and Magic'' name were purchased for $1.3 million by [[Ubisoft]], which revived the franchise with a new series under the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/namco-ubisoft-and-ms-carve-up-3do-assets|title=Namco, Ubisoft and MS carve up 3DO assets}}</ref>
Van Caneghem sold New World Computing to developer and publisher [[The 3DO Company|3DO]] in 1996 for US$13 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/3DO+and+NTN+Inc.+Complete+New+World+Computing+Acquisition-a018489789|title=3DO and NTN Inc. Complete New World Computing Acquisition.|access-date=6 August 2010|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221202108/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/403.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> He remained with 3DO as president and "lead visionary" until 2003 when 3DO filed for bankruptcy and eliminated its New World Computing division.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.cnet.com/3DO-files-for-bankruptcy/2100-1047_3-1011266.html|title=3DO files for bankruptcy|author=David Becker}}</ref> The rights to the ''Might and Magic'' name were purchased for $1.3 million by [[Ubisoft]], which revived the franchise with a new series under the same name.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/namco-ubisoft-and-ms-carve-up-3do-assets|title=Namco, Ubisoft and MS carve up 3DO assets|date=18 August 2003 }}</ref>


From 2004 to 2005, Van Caneghem worked at [[NCSoft]] as executive producer of a [[massively multiplayer online game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6100916.html|title=Q&A: NCsoft executive producer Jon Van Caneghem|author=Curt Feldman}}</ref> In 2006 Van Caneghem left NCSoft and launched [[Trion Worlds|Trion World Network]], headquartered in [[Redwood City, California]], after securing more than $100 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20368|title=Trion World Network Nets $70 Million More|author=Eric Caoili}}</ref> in investment capital from [[Time Warner]], [[NBC Universal]], [[General Electric|GE]] and [[Bertelsmann]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2007/07/trion_raises_30_million_from_m.php|title=Q&A: Trion's Buttler Talks $30 Million Online World Funding}}</ref> Trion produces [[server-side]] games.
From 2004 to 2005, Van Caneghem worked at [[NCSoft]] as executive producer of a [[massively multiplayer online game]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6100916.html|title=Q&A: NCsoft executive producer Jon Van Caneghem|author=Curt Feldman}}</ref> In 2006 Van Caneghem left NCSoft and launched [[Trion Worlds|Trion World Network]], headquartered in [[Redwood City, California]], after securing more than $100 million<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=20368|title=Trion World Network Nets $70 Million More|author=Eric Caoili}}</ref> in investment capital from [[Time Warner]], [[NBC Universal]], [[General Electric|GE]] and [[Bertelsmann]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldsinmotion.biz/2007/07/trion_raises_30_million_from_m.php|title=Q&A: Trion's Buttler Talks $30 Million Online World Funding}}</ref> Trion produces [[server-side]] games.


Van Caneghem left Trion in 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/10/22/trion-world-network-plays-executive-musical-chairs|title=Trion World Network plays executive musical chairs|author=Dean Takahashi}}</ref> and joined [[Electronic Arts]] where he headed the video game giant's ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26182/Interview_Van_Caneghem_Talks_EALAs_Vision_Command__Conquer.php|title=Interview: Van Caneghem Talks EALA's Vision, Command & Conquer|author=Leigh Alexander}}</ref> Van Caneghem was responsible for extending the series online.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/interview-jon-van-caneghem-on-reinventing-command--conquer|title=Interview: Jon Van Caneghem on Reinventing Command & Conquer|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322232121/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/interview-jon-van-caneghem-on-reinventing-command--conquer|archivedate=22 March 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> On 29 October 2013, EA cancelled the development of the [[Command & Conquer (2013 video game)|''Command & Conquer'' game]] and closed the development studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/29/5043244/ea-cancels-free-to-play-command-and-conquer|title=EA cancels Command & Conquer, closes development studio}}</ref>
Van Caneghem left Trion in 2009<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2009/10/22/trion-world-network-plays-executive-musical-chairs|title=Trion World Network plays executive musical chairs|author=Dean Takahashi|date=22 October 2009 }}</ref> and joined [[Electronic Arts]] where he headed the video game giant's ''[[Command & Conquer]]'' brand.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/26182/Interview_Van_Caneghem_Talks_EALAs_Vision_Command__Conquer.php|title=Interview: Van Caneghem Talks EALA's Vision, Command & Conquer|author=Leigh Alexander}}</ref> Van Caneghem was responsible for extending the series online.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brightman|first=James|title=Interview: Jon Van Caneghem on Reinventing Command & Conquer|url=http://www.industrygamers.com/news/interview-jon-van-caneghem-on-reinventing-command--conquer|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100322232121/http://www.industrygamers.com/news/interview-jon-van-caneghem-on-reinventing-command--conquer|archive-date=22 March 2010}}</ref> On 29 October 2013, EA cancelled the development of the [[Command & Conquer (cancelled video game)|''Command & Conquer'' game]] and closed the development studio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2013/10/29/5043244/ea-cancels-free-to-play-command-and-conquer|title=EA cancels Command & Conquer, closes development studio|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |date=29 October 2013 }}</ref>


In 2014, Caneghem founded VC Mobile Entertainment (VCME) with the goal to produce and publish [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] games. Caneghem secured $4.5 million in capital investment from companies like Tencent and Pacific Sky Investments. VCME is based in Los Angeles, and currently has around 15 employees.
In 2014, Caneghem founded VC Mobile Entertainment (VCME) with the goal to produce and publish [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] games. Caneghem secured $4.5 million in capital investment from companies like Tencent and Pacific Sky Investments. VCME is based in Los Angeles, and currently has around 15 employees.
Line 36: Line 37:
Their first game, ''Creature Quest'', is a mobile game focused on collection of creatures with which to quest and explore. It is an RPG with turn-based combat similar to Might & Magic and isometric exploration reminiscent of Heroes of Might & Magic. It was launched globally early 2017, after a successful limited test launch in selected countries in Europe and Australia.
Their first game, ''Creature Quest'', is a mobile game focused on collection of creatures with which to quest and explore. It is an RPG with turn-based combat similar to Might & Magic and isometric exploration reminiscent of Heroes of Might & Magic. It was launched globally early 2017, after a successful limited test launch in selected countries in Europe and Australia.


As of February 2024, Creature Quest has been shut down indefinitely.
⚫
== Awards ==


⚫
== Awards ==
Van Caneghem was inducted into the ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' Hall of Fame in 2004 for Strategy and Role-Playing.<ref name="golden">[http://goldenageofgames.com/the-computer-gaming-world-hall-of-fame/ Classic Personal Computer (PC) Games » The Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame] from GoldenAgeOfGames.com</ref> The first ''Might and Magic'' games is number 44 in ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'''s Hall of Fame,<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3139081#44 Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183122/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3139081#44 |date=15 October 2012 }} from 1up.com</ref> and ''Heroes of Might and Magic II'' is number 31.<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3139081#31 Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183140/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3139081#31 |date=15 October 2012 }} from 1up.com</ref> ''Heroes of Might and Magic I'' won Strategy Game of the Year from [[Computer Gaming World]], Turn-Based Strategy Game of the Year from [[Strategy Plus]], Editor's Choice from [[PC Gamer]], and Golden Triad from [[Computer Game Review]].
Van Caneghem was inducted into the ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' Hall of Fame in 2004 for Strategy and Role-Playing.<ref name="golden">[http://goldenageofgames.com/the-computer-gaming-world-hall-of-fame/ Classic Personal Computer (PC) Games » The Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114021321/http://goldenageofgames.com/the-computer-gaming-world-hall-of-fame/ |date=14 November 2016 }} from GoldenAgeOfGames.com</ref> The first ''Might and Magic'' game is number 44 in ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'''s Hall of Fame,<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3139081#44 Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183122/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=5&cId=3139081#44 |date=15 October 2012 }} from 1up.com</ref> and ''Heroes of Might and Magic II'' is number 31.<ref>[http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3139081#31 Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015183140/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=4&cId=3139081#31 |date=15 October 2012 }} from 1up.com</ref> ''Heroes of Might and Magic I'' won Strategy Game of the Year from [[Computer Gaming World]], Turn-Based Strategy Game of the Year from ''[[Strategy Plus]]'', Editor's Choice from [[PC Gamer]], and Golden Triad from ''[[Computer Game Review]]''.


== Personal life ==
== Personal life ==


Van Caneghem lives in [[Los Angeles, California]] and has a daughter, Amanda.
Van Caneghem lives in [[Los Angeles]] and has a daughter, Amanda.


⚫
Van Caneghem is an avid race car driver and has won or placed in races regularly since the 1990s. This hobby grew from his unofficial races down [[Mulholland Drive]] in the Hollywood hills and in the early '90s grew into a more serious hobby on racetracks across the country,<ref>[http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archives/2005/2005r_points_11_27_05.htm 2005 2005 Regional Point Standings] as of 27 November 2005 from CalClub.com</ref><ref>[http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archives/2004/butwlwtrec25C_5_23_04.htm Track Lap Records] for Track Buttonwillow RP 25CCW from CalClub.com</ref> including winning the West Coast [[Formula Ford]] championship.<ref name="cgw199403">{{Cite magazine |date=March 1994 |title=The FX of Computer Entertainment |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=116 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=18–30}}</ref> He attended the [[Skip Barber Racing School]] during this time.
=== Racing ===


⚫
Van Caneghem has competed in over 100 races with dozens of wins with the [[Sports Car Club of America]] where he competed in GT2, CSR, DSR, S7, SGT, and Pro7. With [[National Auto Sport Association|Nasa Pro Racing]], he competed in Mazda-GT, ST2, STR2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaproracing.com/|title=We Drive Harder! - NASA}}</ref> Van Caneghem also won races with Cal Club, including the SGT2 Season Winner in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archives/2005/2005r_points_11_27_05.htm|title=CSCC}}</ref>
⚫
Van Caneghem is an avid race car driver and has won or placed in races regularly since the '90s. This hobby grew from his unofficial races down [[Mulholland Drive]] in the Hollywood hills and in the early '90s grew into a more serious hobby on racetracks across the country,<ref>[http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archives/2005/2005r_points_11_27_05.htm 2005 2005 Regional Point Standings] as of 27 November 2005 from CalClub.com</ref><ref>[http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archives/2004/butwlwtrec25C_5_23_04.htm Track Lap Records] for Track Buttonwillow RP 25CCW from CalClub.com</ref> including winning the West Coast [[Formula Ford]] championship.<ref name="cgw199403">{{Cite magazine |date=March 1994 |title=The FX Of Computer Entertainment |url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=116 |magazine=Computer Gaming World |pages=18–30}}</ref> He attended the [[Skip Barber Racing School]] during this time.

⚫
Van Caneghem has competed in over 100 races with dozens of wins with the [[Sports Car Club of America]] where he competed in GT2, CSR, DSR, S7, SGT, and Pro7. With [[National Auto Sport Association|Nasa Pro Racing]], he competed in Mazda-GT, ST2, STR2.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaproracing.com/|title=We Drive Harder! - NASA|publisher=}}</ref> Van Caneghem also won races with Cal Club, including the SGT2 Season Winner in 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.calclub.com/html/html2/archives/2005/2005r_points_11_27_05.htm|title=CSCC|publisher=}}</ref>


== Games ==
== Games ==
Line 66: Line 66:
* ''[[Hammer of the Gods (video game)|Hammer of the Gods]]'', 1994, executive producer
* ''[[Hammer of the Gods (video game)|Hammer of the Gods]]'', 1994, executive producer
* ''[[Wetlands (video game)|Wetlands]]'', 1995, executive producer
* ''[[Wetlands (video game)|Wetlands]]'', 1995, executive producer
* ''Multimedia Celebrity Poker'', 1995, original concept/executive producer
* ''[[Multimedia Celebrity Poker]]'', 1995, original concept/executive producer
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest]]'', 1995, designer
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest]]'', 1995, designer
* ''[[Anvil of Dawn]]'', 1995, executive producer
* ''[[Anvil of Dawn]]'', 1995, executive producer
Line 75: Line 75:
* ''[[Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor]]'', 1999, designer
* ''[[Might and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor]]'', 1999, designer
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III|Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia]]'', 1999, designer
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III|Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia]]'', 1999, designer
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III|Heroes of Might and Magic III: Armageddon's Blade]]'', 1999, designer
* ''[[Heroes of Might and Magic III|Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Shadow of Death]]'', 2000, designer
* ''[[Crusaders of Might and Magic]]'', 1999, special thanks
* ''[[Crusaders of Might and Magic]]'', 1999, special thanks
* ''[[Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer]]'', 2000, designer
* ''[[Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer]]'', 2000, designer
Line 98: Line 100:


{{Might and Magic series}}
{{Might and Magic series}}

⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Latest revision as of 21:16, 15 September 2024

Jon Van Caneghem
Born1962 or 1963 (age 61–62)
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
OccupationGame designer
Notable workMight and Magic series
Heroes of Might and Magic series
ChildrenAmanda (daughter)
AwardsComputer Gaming World Hall of Fame[1]

Jon Van Caneghem (born 1962/1963)[2] is an American video game director, designer and producer. He is best known for launching development studio New World Computing in 1983, making his design debut in 1986 with Might and Magic Book One: The Secret of the Inner Sanctum. During the company's 20-year lifespan, Van Caneghem was involved in the creation and direction of several franchises, including the Might and Magic role-playing series and the spin-off Heroes of Might and Magic and King's Bounty strategy series.

Early life

[edit]

Van Caneghem was raised on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California, United States, by his mother, an artist, and his stepfather, a neurologist at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He attended grade school at Lycée Français de Los Angeles and his collegiate alma mater is UCLA, where he started as a pre-med student and graduated with a degree in computer science.[2]

Career

[edit]

In 1983, Van Caneghem founded New World Computing, a publisher and developer of computer and console games.

Their first title was the medieval fantasy Might and Magic: Secret of the Inner Sanctum—one of the first role-playing games to feature detailed drawings of both indoor and outdoor locations.[3] It debuted in 1986 for the Apple II.[4] The series went on to include nine bestselling games, all of which Van Caneghem co-created. In 1990 Van Caneghem released King's Bounty, the forerunner of the Heroes of Might and Magic series of seven games which feature turn-based, fantasy-themed conflicts in which players control armies of mythical creatures.

In the following 20 years as president and CEO of New World Computing, Van Caneghem oversaw the publishing of more than 250 titles worldwide.

Van Caneghem sold New World Computing to developer and publisher 3DO in 1996 for US$13 million.[5] He remained with 3DO as president and "lead visionary" until 2003 when 3DO filed for bankruptcy and eliminated its New World Computing division.[6] The rights to the Might and Magic name were purchased for $1.3 million by Ubisoft, which revived the franchise with a new series under the same name.[7]

From 2004 to 2005, Van Caneghem worked at NCSoft as executive producer of a massively multiplayer online game.[8] In 2006 Van Caneghem left NCSoft and launched Trion World Network, headquartered in Redwood City, California, after securing more than $100 million[9] in investment capital from Time Warner, NBC Universal, GE and Bertelsmann.[10] Trion produces server-side games.

Van Caneghem left Trion in 2009[11] and joined Electronic Arts where he headed the video game giant's Command & Conquer brand.[12] Van Caneghem was responsible for extending the series online.[13] On 29 October 2013, EA cancelled the development of the Command & Conquer game and closed the development studio.[14]

In 2014, Caneghem founded VC Mobile Entertainment (VCME) with the goal to produce and publish iOS and Android games. Caneghem secured $4.5 million in capital investment from companies like Tencent and Pacific Sky Investments. VCME is based in Los Angeles, and currently has around 15 employees.

Their first game, Creature Quest, is a mobile game focused on collection of creatures with which to quest and explore. It is an RPG with turn-based combat similar to Might & Magic and isometric exploration reminiscent of Heroes of Might & Magic. It was launched globally early 2017, after a successful limited test launch in selected countries in Europe and Australia.

As of February 2024, Creature Quest has been shut down indefinitely.

Awards

[edit]

Van Caneghem was inducted into the Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame in 2004 for Strategy and Role-Playing.[1] The first Might and Magic game is number 44 in Computer Gaming World's Hall of Fame,[15] and Heroes of Might and Magic II is number 31.[16] Heroes of Might and Magic I won Strategy Game of the Year from Computer Gaming World, Turn-Based Strategy Game of the Year from Strategy Plus, Editor's Choice from PC Gamer, and Golden Triad from Computer Game Review.

Personal life

[edit]

Van Caneghem lives in Los Angeles and has a daughter, Amanda.

Van Caneghem is an avid race car driver and has won or placed in races regularly since the 1990s. This hobby grew from his unofficial races down Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood hills and in the early '90s grew into a more serious hobby on racetracks across the country,[17][18] including winning the West Coast Formula Ford championship.[19] He attended the Skip Barber Racing School during this time.

Van Caneghem has competed in over 100 races with dozens of wins with the Sports Car Club of America where he competed in GT2, CSR, DSR, S7, SGT, and Pro7. With Nasa Pro Racing, he competed in Mazda-GT, ST2, STR2.[20] Van Caneghem also won races with Cal Club, including the SGT2 Season Winner in 2005.[21]

Games

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Classic Personal Computer (PC) Games » The Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame Archived 14 November 2016 at the Wayback Machine from GoldenAgeOfGames.com
  2. ^ a b AN EDUCATION IN GAME MARKET\33-year-old's magical touch has transformed passion for role playing\adventures into a lucrative reality Archived 16 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine from TheFreeLibrary.com
  3. ^ DeMaria, Rusel (1 January 2004). High Score!: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games. McGraw-Hill/Osborne. p. 212. ISBN 9780072231724.
  4. ^ The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part 2: The Golden Age (1985-1993) Archived 11 November 2010 at the Wayback Machine from Gamasutra
  5. ^ "3DO and NTN Inc. Complete New World Computing Acquisition". Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  6. ^ David Becker. "3DO files for bankruptcy".
  7. ^ "Namco, Ubisoft and MS carve up 3DO assets". 18 August 2003.
  8. ^ Curt Feldman. "Q&A: NCsoft executive producer Jon Van Caneghem".
  9. ^ Eric Caoili. "Trion World Network Nets $70 Million More".
  10. ^ "Q&A: Trion's Buttler Talks $30 Million Online World Funding".
  11. ^ Dean Takahashi (22 October 2009). "Trion World Network plays executive musical chairs".
  12. ^ Leigh Alexander. "Interview: Van Caneghem Talks EALA's Vision, Command & Conquer".
  13. ^ Brightman, James. "Interview: Jon Van Caneghem on Reinventing Command & Conquer". Archived from the original on 22 March 2010.
  14. ^ "EA cancels Command & Conquer, closes development studio". Polygon. 29 October 2013.
  15. ^ Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame Archived 15 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine from 1up.com
  16. ^ Computer Gaming World Hall of Fame Archived 15 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine from 1up.com
  17. ^ 2005 2005 Regional Point Standings as of 27 November 2005 from CalClub.com
  18. ^ Track Lap Records for Track Buttonwillow RP 25CCW from CalClub.com
  19. ^ "The FX of Computer Entertainment". Computer Gaming World. March 1994. pp. 18–30.
  20. ^ "We Drive Harder! - NASA".
  21. ^ "CSCC".
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Jon_Van_Caneghem&oldid=1245914951"