Jon Van Caneghem
Encyclopedia
Jon Van Caneghem 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.
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.
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. It debuted in 1986 for the Apple II
. The series went on to include nine bestselling games, all of which Van Cangehem 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 USD
$13 million. He remained with 3DO as president and "lead visionary" until 2003 when 3DO filed for bankruptcy and eliminated its New World Computing division. 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.
From 2004 to 2005, Van Caneghem worked at NCSoft
as executive producer of a massively multiplayer online game
. In 2006 Van Caneghem left NCSoft and launched Trion World Network, headquartered in Redwood City, California
, after securing more than $100 million in investment capital from Time Warner
, NBC Universal
, GE
and Bertelsmann
. Trion produces server-side games.
Van Caneghem left Trion in 2009 and joined Electronic Arts
where he heads the video game giant's Command & Conquer
brand. Command & Conquer was originally launched in 1995 and has sold 30 million units worldwide. Van Caneghem is responsible for extending the series online.
Hall of Fame in 2004 for Strategy and Role-Playing. The first Might and Magic games is number 44 in Computer Gaming World
s Hall of Fame, and the Heroes of Might and Magic II is number 31.
and has a daughter, Amanda. He 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. 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. Van Caneghem also won races with Cal Club, including the SGT2 Season Winner on 2005.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
video game director, designer and producer. He is best known for launching development studio New World Computing
New World Computing
New World Computing, Inc. was an American computer game developer and publisher founded in 1984 by Jon Van Caneghem, his wife, Michaela Van Caneghem, and Mark Caldwell. It was best known for its work on the Might and Magic computer role-playing game series and its spin-offs, especially Heroes of...
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
Might and Magic
Might and Magic is a series of role-playing video games from New World Computing, which in 1996 became a subsidiary of The 3DO Company...
role-playing series and the spin-off Heroes of Might and Magic
Heroes of Might and Magic
Heroes of Might and Magic is a series of video games originally created and developed by Jon Van Caneghem through New World Computing. As part of the Might and Magic franchise, the series changed ownership when NWC was acquired by 3DO and again when 3DO closed down and sold the rights to Ubisoft...
and King's Bounty
King's Bounty
King's Bounty is a turn-based fantasy computer and video game designed by Jon Van Caneghem of New World Computing in 1990. The game follows the player's character, a hero of King Maximus, appointed with the job of retrieving the Sceptre of Order from the forces of chaos, led by Arech Dragonbreath...
strategy series.
Early life
Van Caneghem was raised on the Sunset StripSunset Strip
The Sunset Strip is the name given to the mile-and-a-half stretch of Sunset Boulevard that passes through West Hollywood, California. It extends from West Hollywood's eastern border with Hollywood at Harper Avenue, to its western border with Beverly Hills at Sierra Drive...
in West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
by his mother, an artist, and his stepfather, a neurologist
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
at University of California, Los Angeles
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
(UCLA). He attended grade school at Lycée Français de Los Angeles
Lycée Français de Los Angeles
Le Lycée Français de Los Angeles is a bicultural independent, private school based in Los Angeles. Offering preschool – 12th grade, the learning institution was founded by Esther and Raymond Kabbaz in 1964 and is structured as a non-profit organization...
and his collegiate alma mater is UCLA, where he started as a pre-med student and graduated with a degree in computer science.
Career
In 1983, Van Caneghem founded New World Computing, a publisher and developerVideo game developer
A video game developer is a software developer that creates video games. A developer may specialize in a certain video game console, such as Nintendo's Wii, Microsoft's Xbox 360, Sony's PlayStation 3, or may develop for a variety of systems, including personal computers.Most developers also...
of computer and console games
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
.
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. It debuted in 1986 for the Apple II
Apple II
The Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
. The series went on to include nine bestselling games, all of which Van Cangehem co-created. In 1990 Van Caneghem released King's Bounty
King's Bounty
King's Bounty is a turn-based fantasy computer and video game designed by Jon Van Caneghem of New World Computing in 1990. The game follows the player's character, a hero of King Maximus, appointed with the job of retrieving the Sceptre of Order from the forces of chaos, led by Arech Dragonbreath...
, the forerunner of the Heroes of Might and Magic
Heroes of Might and Magic
Heroes of Might and Magic is a series of video games originally created and developed by Jon Van Caneghem through New World Computing. As part of the Might and Magic franchise, the series changed ownership when NWC was acquired by 3DO and again when 3DO closed down and sold the rights to Ubisoft...
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
3DO
3DO may refer to:*The 3DO Company, a video game company that developed:**3DO Interactive Multiplayer, a video game console, 1993–1996***List of 3DO games, a list of games released for the 3DO...
in 1996 for USD
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
$13 million. He remained with 3DO as president and "lead visionary" until 2003 when 3DO filed for bankruptcy and eliminated its New World Computing division. The rights to the Might and Magic name were purchased for $1.3 million by Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
, which revived the franchise with a new series under the same name.
From 2004 to 2005, Van Caneghem worked at NCSoft
NCsoft
NCsoft is a South Korea-based online video game company, which has published massively multiplayer online role-playing games including Lineage, City of Heroes, Wildstar, Exteel, Guild Wars and Aion.-History:...
as executive producer of a massively multiplayer online game
Massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
. In 2006 Van Caneghem left NCSoft and launched Trion World Network, headquartered in Redwood City, California
Redwood City, California
Redwood City is a California charter city located on the San Francisco Peninsula in Northern California, approximately 27 miles south of San Francisco, and 24 miles north of San Jose. Redwood City's history spans from its earliest inhabitation by the Ohlone people, to its tradition as a port for...
, after securing more than $100 million in investment capital from Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
, NBC Universal
NBC Universal
NBCUniversal Media, LLC is a media and entertainment company engaged in the production and marketing of entertainment, news, and information products and services to a global customer base...
, GE
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
and Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann
Bertelsmann AG is a multinational media corporation founded in 1835, based in Gütersloh, Germany. The company operates in 63 countries and employs 102,983 workers , which makes it the most international media corporation in the world. In 2008 the company reported a €16.118 billion consolidated...
. Trion produces server-side games.
Van Caneghem left Trion in 2009 and joined Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts, Inc. is a major American developer, marketer, publisher and distributor of video games. Founded and incorporated on May 28, 1982 by Trip Hawkins, the company was a pioneer of the early home computer games industry and was notable for promoting the designers and programmers...
where he heads the video game giant's Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer
Command & Conquer, abbreviated to C&C and also known as Tiberian Dawn, is a 1995 real-time strategy computer game developed by Westwood Studios for MS-DOS and published by Virgin Interactive. It was the first of twelve games to date to be released under the Command & Conquer label, including a...
brand. Command & Conquer was originally launched in 1995 and has sold 30 million units worldwide. Van Caneghem is responsible for extending the series online.
Awards
Van Caneghem was inducted into the Computer Gaming WorldComputer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
Hall of Fame in 2004 for Strategy and Role-Playing. The first Might and Magic games is number 44 in Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World
Computer Gaming World was a computer game magazine founded in 1981 by Russell Sipe as a bimonthly publication. Early issues were typically 40-50 pages in length, written in a newsletter style, including submissions by game designers such as Joel Billings , Dan Bunten , and Chris Crawford...
s Hall of Fame, and the Heroes of Might and Magic II is number 31.
Personal life
Van Caneghem lives in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
and has a daughter, Amanda. He 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
Mulholland Drive
Mulholland Drive is a street and road in the eastern Santa Monica Mountains of Southern California. It is named after Los Angeles pioneer civil engineer William Mulholland...
in the Hollywood hills and in the early '90s grew into a more serious hobby on racetracks across the country. 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. Van Caneghem also won races with Cal Club, including the SGT2 Season Winner on 2005.
Games
- Might and Magic I, 1986
- Might and Magic II, 1988
- Nuclear War, 1989
- Tunnels & Trolls: Crusaders of KhazanTunnels & Trolls: Crusaders of KhazanCrusaders of Khazan is a computer adaptation of the tabletop role-playing game Tunnels and Trolls, developed and published by New World Computing in 1990 for the PC, FM Towns, PC-88 anc PC-98...
, 1990 - King's BountyKing's BountyKing's Bounty is a turn-based fantasy computer and video game designed by Jon Van Caneghem of New World Computing in 1990. The game follows the player's character, a hero of King Maximus, appointed with the job of retrieving the Sceptre of Order from the forces of chaos, led by Arech Dragonbreath...
, 1990 - Planet's EdgePlanet's EdgePlanet's Edge is a space science fiction role-playing video game developed by New World Computing with Neal Hallford as the lead designer. The game's plot centers on investigating the sudden disappearance of planet Earth, by venturing out into the universe from a moon base...
, 1991 - Might and Magic III, 1991
- Might and Magic IV: Clouds of XeenMight and Magic IV: Clouds of XeenMight and Magic IV: Clouds of Xeen is the fourth installment in the Might and Magic series by New World Computing.-Plot:Might and Magic IV focuses on the events that had occurred after Might and Magic III. Trouble is stirring on the Nacelle world of Xeen...
, 1992 - Might and Magic V: Darkside of XeenMight and Magic V: Darkside of XeenMight and Magic V: Darkside of Xeen is a science fantasy computer role-playing game, published and developed for multiple platforms by New World Computing in 1993...
, 1993 - Zephyr, 1994
- Might and Magic: World of Xeen, 1994
- Inherit the Earth: Quest for the OrbInherit the Earth: Quest for the OrbInherit the Earth: Quest for the Orb is a computer game, developed by The Dreamers Guild and published by Jon Van Caneghem through New World Computing....
, 1994 - Hammer of the Gods, 1994
- WetlandsWetlands (video game)Wetlands is a 1995 computer game developed by created by Hypnotix, Inc. and published by New World Computing for DOS.The sci-fi storyline is set in the distant future, after the icecaps have melted and the entire earth has become a "waterworld"...
, 1995 - Swords of XeenSwords of XeenSwords of Xeen is a computer role-playing game developed by Catware and published by New World Computing. It was initially released in 1995 as a "bonus scenario" in the Might and Magic Trilogy compilation . Subsequently, it was also included in several series anthologies...
, 1995 - Multimedia Celebrity Poker, 1995
- Heroes of Might and MagicHeroes of Might and MagicHeroes of Might and Magic is a series of video games originally created and developed by Jon Van Caneghem through New World Computing. As part of the Might and Magic franchise, the series changed ownership when NWC was acquired by 3DO and again when 3DO closed down and sold the rights to Ubisoft...
, 1995 - Heroes of Might and Magic: A Strategic Quest, 1995
- Anvil of DawnAnvil of DawnAnvil of Dawn is a 1995 fantasy role-playing video game developed by DreamForge Intertainment and published by New World Computing.-Game:The game was released 1995 for MS-DOS and was one of the last of the classical DOS RPG's with blockstep movements and semi-3D environment. The game presents a...
, 1995 - Spaceward Ho! IV for WindowsSpaceward Ho!Spaceward Ho! is a turn-based science fiction computer strategy game that was written by Peter Commons, designed by Joe Williams and published by Delta Tao Software. The first version was released in 1990, and further upgrades followed regularly; the current version, 5.0.5, was released on July...
, 1996 - Heroes of Might and Magic II, 1996
- Empire II: The Art of War, 1996
- Heroes of Might and Magic II: The Price of Loyalty, 1997
- Might and Magic VI: The Mandate of HeavenMight and Magic VI: The Mandate of HeavenMight and Magic VI: The Mandate of Heaven, commonly abbreviated to Might and Magic VI or simply MM6, is a role-playing video game developed by New World Computing and published by 3DO in 1998...
, 1998 - Heroes of Might and Magic II Gold, 1998
- Might and Magic VII: For Blood and HonorMight and Magic VII: For Blood and HonorMight and Magic VII: For Blood and Honor is a role playing game published in 1999 by 3DO and developed by New World Computing, and is the predecessor of Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer...
, 1999 - Heroes of Might and Magic, Millennium Edition, 1999
- Heroes of Might and Magic III: The Restoration of Erathia, 1999
- Crusaders of Might and MagicCrusaders of Might and MagicCrusaders of Might and Magic is a third-person action/RPG video game developed and published by 3DO's Austin, Texas studio and Redwood Shores studio . Different versions of the game were released for both Microsoft Windows and the PlayStation...
, 1999 - Might and Magic VIII: Day of the DestroyerMight and Magic VIII: Day of the DestroyerMight and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer is a computer role-playing game developed for Microsoft Windows by New World Computing and released in 2000 by the 3DO Company. It is the eighth game in the Might and Magic series...
, 2000 - Heroes of Might and Magic III Complete, (Collector's Edition), 2000
- Heroes Chronicles: Warlords of the Wastelands, 2000
- Heroes Chronicles: Masters of the Elements, 2000
- Heroes Chronicles: Conquest of the Underworld, 2000
- Heroes Chronicles: Clash of the Dragons, 2000
- Legends of Might and MagicLegends of Might and MagicLegends of Might and Magic is a first-person shooter video game developed by Jon Van Caneghem through New World Computing and published by the 3DO Company in 2001. As a spin-off of the Might and Magic franchise, Legends has a fantasy theme...
, 2001 - Heroes of Might and Magic: Quest for the Dragon Bone StaffHeroes of Might and Magic: Quest for the Dragon Bone StaffHeroes of Might and Magic: Quest for the Dragon Bone Staff is a 2001 video game released on the PlayStation 2. Though 3DO did not advertise it as such, the game is an enhanced remake of King's Bounty. It is primarily a graphics enhancement and it appears that little of the text has actually changed...
, 2001 - Heroes Chronicles: The Final Chapters, 2001
- Might and Magic IXMight and Magic IXMight and Magic IX is a computer role-playing game, the last developed by New World Computing for Microsoft Windows and released in 2002 by the 3DO Company. It is the sequel to Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer...
, 2002 3DO Europe, Ltd. - Heroes of Might and Magic IV: The Gathering Storm, 2002
- Heroes of Might and Magic IVHeroes of Might and Magic IVHeroes of Might and Magic IV is a turn-based strategy game developed by Jon Van Caneghem through New World Computing and published by the 3DO Company for Microsoft Windows-based personal computers in 2002. A Macintosh port was subsequently developed by Contraband Entertainment and released by the...
, 2002 - Heroes of Might and Magic IV: Winds of War, 2003