Josh Sawyer
Encyclopedia
Joshua Eric Sawyer is a video game designer active in the role playing game genre.
, Wisconsin
, the son of Linda Sawyer and sculptor Gerald P. Sawyer. He earned a BA degree
from Lawrence University
in Appleton, Wisconsin
. In addition to being a history major, Sawyer participated in the theatre (including mounting a production of Assassins
). After Lawrence, Sawyer moved to California
.
, he quickly worked his way up the ladder to an associate designer position and then lead designer on Icewind Dale II
.
While at Black Isle he was known for coming up with the "Ex-Presidents" project naming system. When Interplay
closed down Black Isle Studios
many team members ended up at Obsidian Entertainment
, which would eventually come to include J.E. Sawyer.
In November of 2003 it was reported by Tor Thorsen of GameSpot
that he had abruptly quit his role as lead designer of Fallout 3
to pursue other projects.
On July 19, 2005 GameSpot announced that he had left Midway's Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
, and was already employed by Obsidian Entertainment
to work on Neverwinter Nights 2
. He was preceded in that move by memorable game designer John Romero
, who left work on the Gauntlet remake in June 2005. He was the Project Director and Lead Designer on the canceled Aliens RPG.
He was the Project Director and Lead Designer of Fallout: New Vegas
.
Early life and education
Josh Sawyer grew up in Fort AtkinsonFort Atkinson, Wisconsin
Fort Atkinson is a city in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, United States. It is located on the Rock River, a few miles upstream from Lake Koshkonong. In 1996, Money Magazine named Fort Atkinson "One of America's Hottest Little Boomtowns." The population was 11,621 at the 2000 census.- History :Fort...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, the son of Linda Sawyer and sculptor Gerald P. Sawyer. He earned a BA degree
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Lawrence University
Lawrence University
Lawrence University is a selective, private liberal arts college with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, in Appleton, Wisconsin. Lawrence University is known for its rigorous academic environment. Founded in 1847, the first classes were held on November 12, 1849...
in Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton, Wisconsin
Appleton is a city in Outagamie, Calumet, and Winnebago Counties in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. It is situated on the Fox River, 30 miles southwest of Green Bay and 100 miles north of Milwaukee. Appleton is the county seat of Outagamie County. The population was 78,086 at the 2010 census...
. In addition to being a history major, Sawyer participated in the theatre (including mounting a production of Assassins
Assassins (musical)
Assassins is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by John Weidman, based on an idea by Charles Gilbert, Jr. It uses the premise of a murderous carnival game to produce a revue-style portrayal of men and women who attempted to assassinate Presidents of the United States...
). After Lawrence, Sawyer moved to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Career
Starting as a Web Designer at Black Isle StudiosBlack Isle Studios
Black Isle Studios was a division of the computer and video game developer and publisher Interplay Entertainment. Black Isle Studios was a division that developed computer role-playing games, and also published several games from other developers. It was based in Orange County, California, USA. The...
, he quickly worked his way up the ladder to an associate designer position and then lead designer on Icewind Dale II
Icewind Dale II
Icewind Dale II is a role-playing video game developed by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Entertainment, released on August 27, 2002. Like its 2000 predecessor Icewind Dale, the game is set in the Forgotten Realms fantasy setting in the Icewind Dale region...
.
While at Black Isle he was known for coming up with the "Ex-Presidents" project naming system. When Interplay
Interplay Entertainment
Interplay Entertainment Corporation is an American video game developer and publisher, founded in 1983 as Interplay Productions by Brian Fargo. The company had been a quality developer until they started publishing their own games in 1988, like Neuromancer and Battle Chess. The company was renamed...
closed down Black Isle Studios
Black Isle Studios
Black Isle Studios was a division of the computer and video game developer and publisher Interplay Entertainment. Black Isle Studios was a division that developed computer role-playing games, and also published several games from other developers. It was based in Orange County, California, USA. The...
many team members ended up at Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment is an American video game developer founded in 2003 after the disestablishment of Interplay Productions' Black Isle Studios, for PC and console systems...
, which would eventually come to include J.E. Sawyer.
In November of 2003 it was reported by Tor Thorsen of GameSpot
GameSpot
GameSpot is a video gaming website that provides news, reviews, previews, downloads, and other information. The site was launched in May 1, 1996 by Pete Deemer, Vince Broady and Jon Epstein. It was purchased by ZDNet, a brand which was later purchased by CNET Networks. CBS Interactive, which...
that he had abruptly quit his role as lead designer of Fallout 3
Van Buren (Fallout)
Van Buren was the codename given to Fallout 3, a game that was being developed by Black Isle Studios before the parent company, Interplay Entertainment, laid off the PC development team on December 8, 2003, effectively cancelling the game. Prior to its cancellation, Van Buren was set to carry on...
to pursue other projects.
On July 19, 2005 GameSpot announced that he had left Midway's Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows
Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows is the follow-up to Gauntlet Legends and Gauntlet Dark Legacy. Industry veterans John Romero and Josh Sawyer initially spearheaded Midway's San Diego studio, intent on reviving the Gauntlet action role-playing game franchise...
, and was already employed by Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment
Obsidian Entertainment is an American video game developer founded in 2003 after the disestablishment of Interplay Productions' Black Isle Studios, for PC and console systems...
to work on Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2
Neverwinter Nights 2 is a computer role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Atari. It is the sequel to BioWare's Neverwinter Nights, based on the Dungeons & Dragons pencil and paper fantasy role-playing game...
. He was preceded in that move by memorable game designer John Romero
John Romero
Alfonso John Romero is a game designer, programmer, and developer in the video game industry. He is best known as a co-founder of id Software and was a designer for many of their games, including Wolfenstein 3D, Dangerous Dave, Doom and Quake...
, who left work on the Gauntlet remake in June 2005. He was the Project Director and Lead Designer on the canceled Aliens RPG.
He was the Project Director and Lead Designer of Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas is a first person action role-playing video game in the Fallout series developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is based in a post-apocalyptic environment in and around Las Vegas, Nevada...
.
Notable game credits
- Alpha ProtocolAlpha ProtocolAlpha Protocol is a third-person espionage role-playing video game, developed by Obsidian Entertainment, their first title for an original IP, and published by Sega. The game revolves around the adventures of field agent Michael Thorton...
(2010), 1C-SoftClub - Fallout: New VegasFallout: New VegasFallout: New Vegas is a first person action role-playing video game in the Fallout series developed by Obsidian Entertainment, and published by Bethesda Softworks. The game is based in a post-apocalyptic environment in and around Las Vegas, Nevada...
(2010), Obsidian Entertainment - Neverwinter Nights 2Neverwinter Nights 2Neverwinter Nights 2 is a computer role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment and published by Atari. It is the sequel to BioWare's Neverwinter Nights, based on the Dungeons & Dragons pencil and paper fantasy role-playing game...
(2006), Obsidian Entertainment - Lionheart: Legacy of the CrusaderLionheart: Legacy of the CrusaderLionheart: Legacy of the Crusader is an action role-playing game, developed for the PC by Reflexive Entertainment, and released on August 13, 2003. The game is viewed from a 3/4 isometric camera angle...
(2003), Interplay - Baldur's Gate: Dark AllianceBaldur's Gate: Dark AllianceBaldur's Gate: Dark Alliance is an action role-playing game developed by Snowblind Studios for the PlayStation 2; later released for the Xbox, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance. It was re-released on the PlayStation 2 as a Greatest Hits title...
(2002), Interplay - Icewind Dale IIIcewind Dale IIIcewind Dale II is a role-playing video game developed by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Entertainment, released on August 27, 2002. Like its 2000 predecessor Icewind Dale, the game is set in the Forgotten Realms fantasy setting in the Icewind Dale region...
(2002), Interplay - Icewind Dale: Heart of WinterIcewind Dale: Heart of WinterIcewind Dale: Heart of Winter is an official expansion pack to the computer role-playing game Icewind Dale developed by Black Isle Studios. It introduced many changes and additions to the original game, and included an all-new campaign...
(2001), Interplay - Icewind DaleIcewind Dale seriesIcewind Dale is a computer role-playing game series developed by Black Isle Studios. It is set in the Forgotten Realms Icewind Dale region, but takes place decades before the events described in R. A. Salvatore's books which made the area a well-known part of Faerûn.The games utilize Bioware's...
(2000), Interplay