Steve Barcia Explained

Steve Barcia is a game programmer, game producer and entrepreneur, having founded the computer game developer Simtex Studios Inc. in 1988.^[1] The company released computer games such as Master of Magic, Master of Orion, Master of Orion II, and the adaptation of the Avalon Hill strategy game 1830. They also developed the unreleased projects Mech Lords and Guardians: Agents of Justice.

Following a corporate takeover in May 2000, Nintendo of America bought Retro Studios. Barcia was elected to replace the founder and then-president Jeff Spangenberg. Under Barcia's leadership, Retro Studios developed and released Metroid Prime.^[2] Barcia was replaced by Michael Kelbaugh in April 2003 after Nintendo received numerous complaints about his mismanagement of the company.^{[3] [4]}

After his replacement he took employment at EA Canada in Vancouver where he oversaw production on the Def Jam, SSX, and Need for Speed series.^{[5] [6]}

In 2009, he was chosen by IGN as one of the top 100 game creators of all time.^[7]

Notes and References

1. Book: DeMaria, Rusel . December 10, 2018. High Score! Expanded: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games . 3rd . CRC Press . 978-1138367203 .
2. https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/29/17386066/the-rocky-story-of-retro-studios-before-metroid-prime The rocky story of Retro Studios before Metroid Prime
3. Web site: A Nintendo veteran joins the ranks of the development team behind Metroid Prime and its upcoming sequel. Gamespot.
4. Web site: Retro Appoints New President. 11 April 2003 . IGN.
5. Web site: Need for Speed Undercover Q&A: Return of the Fuzz. Gamespot.
6. Web site: EA Announces SSX On Tour; Rule the Slopes in the Latest Release from the Critically Acclaimed SSX Franchise . Business Wire.
7. Web site: IGN - 88. Steve Barcia . IGN . en . 2023-11-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140420081506/https://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/88.html . 2014-04-20.