Explore Will Wright’s Life and Top Video Game Designs

[Will Wright](https://www.masterclass.com/classes/will-wright-teaches-game-design-and-theory) is an award-winning video game designer and programmer best known for creating *SimCity*, *The Sims*, and *Spore*. Born in Atlanta, Georgia, he studied various subjects—including architecture and mechanical engineering—at Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, and The New School in New York City. Will’s approach to [prototyping](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/will-wrights-tips-for-successful-prototyping-in-video-games) and game creation is to design “software toys,” or games in which you cannot win or lose that instead serve as a limitless source of play. Along with video game producer and cofounder Jeff Braun, he launched Maxis, a California-based video game development team that Electronic Arts (EA) acquired in 1997. The original designer of *The Sims* has received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Game Developers Choice Awards, and a *PC Magazine* Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as recognition from *GameSpy* and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (the first time the organization granted the away to a [video game designer](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-video-game-designer)). In 2002, he got inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences' Hall of Fame. He also set up the Stupid Fun Club, a think tank for [video game developers](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-become-a-video-game-developer), toys, and television. Designer Will Wright is a seasoned member of the gaming industry with more than 30 video game development credits, including mobile games and computer games. Here are a few of his biggest titles: 1. __*Raid on Bungeling Bay* (1984)__: Will’s first game, *Raid on Bungeling Bay*, is a 2D helicopter adventure game for the Commodore 64 system. The player flies over various tropical islands and drops bombs. During the design process of *Raid on Bungeling Bay*, the *Sims* creator discovered that he enjoyed designing the islands more than he enjoyed flying the helicopter, which inspired him to begin ideating *SimCity*. 2. __*SimCity* (1989)__: This classic 2D bird’s-eye game empowers players to design and develop their own city. The game design stood out in a game industry landscape replete with platformers and shooters, and it eventually became a bestseller, released on major systems like Nintendo. *SimCity* inspired many future installations and simulation games, including *SimCity 2000* (codesigned with Fred Haslam), *SimCopter*, *SimEarth*, *SimAnt*, *SimLife*, and *Streets of SimCity*. 3. __*The Sims* (2000)__: Will is well-known for creating this blockbuster game that has left an indelible mark on gaming. *The Sims* is a dollhouse simulation in which a player controls the daily activities of humanoid characters called Sims, increasing or decreasing their life progress based on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Maxis released several sequels and expansion packs, from *The Sims 2* to *The Sims 4* to *The Sims Online*. 4. __*Spore* (2008)__: *Spore* is a simulation game in which gamers create and develop a species, incorporating several gameplay techniques, from [role-playing](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-rpg) to real-time strategy. A spinoff computer game software, Spore Creature Creator, allows players to use *Spore’s* creation engine to produce a species independent of the full game. Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) for exclusive access to video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Will Wright, Paul Krugman, Stephen Curry, Annie Leibovitz, and more. Will Wright is a prolific video game designer best known for creating The Sims. Learn more about his path to the upper echelons of video game development.