Tim Stryker
Encyclopedia
Timothy J. Stryker, better known as Tim Stryker or Stryker to friends (9 December 1954 – 6 August 1996) was a computer programmer, best known as the creator of MajorBBS, a computer bulletin board software package.
in 1977.
computer, one of the earliest real-time strategy
computer games
. He further developed a link cable, so that two PET computers could be linked to play against each other. The game was later rewritten for MS-DOS
machines, and allowed up to four players in realtime, interconnected modems dialed into MajorBBS.
arcade vector game Aztarac
in 1983. Although not a huge commercial success and not produced in large numbers, this arcade game is highly prized by collectors not only for its rarity, but its strikingly beautiful graphics. During the attract mode
of the game, quickly spinning the spinner control reveals a hidden message in the starfield: "Designed by T. Stryker".
Later in Galacticomm's development, Stryker hired Scott Brinker
, originally of Moonshae Isles BBS, who created many of the early games available for MajorBBS, including the original game Kyrandia
. The two of them were the heart of Galacticomm, the company behind the MajorBBS software.
, and was found dead of a self-inflicted shotgun wound in the mountains of Colorado
on August 6, 1996 at the age of 41.
Education
Stryker graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School in 1972, and received his bachelors degree in physics from Brown UniversityBrown University
Brown University is a private, Ivy League university located in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1764 prior to American independence from the British Empire as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations early in the reign of King George III ,...
in 1977.
Flash Attack
Stryker and Ken Wasserman wrote the game Flash Attack for the Commodore PETCommodore PET
The Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
computer, one of the earliest real-time strategy
Real-time strategy
Real-time strategy is a sub-genre of strategy video game which does not progress incrementally in turns. Brett Sperry is credited with coining the term to market Dune II....
computer games
Computer Games
"Computer Games" is a single by New Zealand group, Mi-Sex released in 1979 in Australia and New Zealand and in 1981 throughout Europe. It was the single that launched the band, and was hugely popular, particularly in Australia and New Zealand...
. He further developed a link cable, so that two PET computers could be linked to play against each other. The game was later rewritten for MS-DOS
MS-DOS
MS-DOS is an operating system for x86-based personal computers. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating systems, and was the main operating system for IBM PC compatible personal computers during the 1980s to the mid 1990s, until it was gradually superseded by operating...
machines, and allowed up to four players in realtime, interconnected modems dialed into MajorBBS.
Aztarac
Stryker authored the CenturiCenturi
Centuri, based in Hialeah, Florida, was one of the top six suppliers of coin operated video game machinery in the United States. Many of the machines distributed in the US under the Centuri name were licensed from overseas manufacturers, particularly Konami....
arcade vector game Aztarac
Aztarac
Aztarac is a scrolling shooter arcade game using vector graphics that was released by Centuri in 1983.-Summary:The player is the commander of an intergalactic race of mutant humans. His mode of transport; a tank and its turret that are controlled independently. This allows the player to move in one...
in 1983. Although not a huge commercial success and not produced in large numbers, this arcade game is highly prized by collectors not only for its rarity, but its strikingly beautiful graphics. During the attract mode
Attract mode
Attract mode is an arcade game's screen display shown when no one is playing the game. The main purpose of the attract mode is to attract passers-by to play the game, although it might also have the side effect to act like a screensaver.-Summary:...
of the game, quickly spinning the spinner control reveals a hidden message in the starfield: "Designed by T. Stryker".
MajorBBS / Galacticomm
Stryker founded Galacticomm in 1985, and created MajorBBS which supported real-time teleconference, gaming, discussion forums, user profiles (registry), and file transfer sections.Later in Galacticomm's development, Stryker hired Scott Brinker
Scott Brinker
Scott Brinker, born 28 September 1971 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a computer programmer and entrepreneur.- The Major BBS/Galacticomm :Brinker was the second customer of, and eventually one of the first employees of, Galacticomm, the company founded by Tim Stryker that created The Major BBS...
, originally of Moonshae Isles BBS, who created many of the early games available for MajorBBS, including the original game Kyrandia
Kyrandia (Major BBS)
Kyrandia is an adventure/role-playing game or MUD for Major BBS and Worldgroup BBS software. It was among the earliest games developed for that system.-History:...
. The two of them were the heart of Galacticomm, the company behind the MajorBBS software.
Electronic Democracy
Tim Stryker was a staunch advocate of electronic democracy, and began a movement called Superdemocracy to computerise voting and help people follow politics in cyberspace. He dreamed of creating the "perfect society based on compassion and love".Death
Stryker suffered from severe depressionClinical depression
Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder characterized by an all-encompassing low mood accompanied by low self-esteem, and by loss of interest or pleasure in normally enjoyable activities...
, and was found dead of a self-inflicted shotgun wound in the mountains of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
on August 6, 1996 at the age of 41.