Bill Roper (video game producer)
Encyclopedia
Bill Roper is a video game designer and has been a well-known person in the worldwide gaming industry since 1994. He personally represents the games he works and has built a solid reputation with his strong relationships with press, developers, and gamers. He has been featured in numerous articles in hundreds of worldwide games magazines, as well as being in the New York Times, Newsweek, and CNN. Having worked at some of the biggest game development houses, Roper went on his own to found Flagship Studios. Following its demise, Bill returned to a larger production studio, Cryptic. Bill was featured in a 2009 biography entitled “Santa Clause of Korean Game Market: Bill Roper” which examined the influence of his work in Korea. In December, 2010, he was a featured keynote speaker at the China Game Developers Conference held in Shanghai. Having stepped down from his position at Cryptic, Bill can now be heard on a Radio/Internet show called Bulletproof Radio, and is slated to assume control of Disney Interactive Media Group's Marvel Franchise.
and was a Director of Blizzard Entertainment
from 1994 - 2003. He oversaw and managed all external projects, coordinated internal development teams, and headed Blizzard's project oversight teams where he was instrumental in shaping the direction of the company's games.
Bill Roper worked directly on numerous million-selling games in varied producer positions and played a key role in the success of the Warcraft
, StarCraft
and Diablo franchises. He also acted in and assisted with the direction of the voice recording for Blizzard’s titles, as well as personally representing the games to the global gaming community.
, the developer of Hellgate: London
and Mythos
(which was later released by HanbitSoft). Amidst rumors of layoffs within the company, the company dissolved and lost the rights to both Mythos and Hellgate: London to Hanbitsoft
and Comerica
respectively; the Asian market partner and the bank which held up the intellectual property rights as collateral on loans taken to buy time to find investors. HanbitSoft currently owns the intellectual property rights to Mythos and Hellgate: London.
as Design Director and Executive Producer of their newest project, Champions Online
. At New York Comicon 2009, Roper told the audience that he "played Champions
as a kid" and that his efforts to get involved in Cryptic's beta test for Champions Online led to his being offered a job at the company.
In March 2010, Roper accepted a promotion to Chief Creative Officer of Cryptic Studios, replacing Jack Emmert who transitioned to the role of Chief Operations Officer.
On August 16, 2010, Roper announced his departure from Cryptic Studios. He has given no specifics as to what his future plans are.
, as the character "Captain Black" since 1994. He is the co-founder as well as a lyricist and composer for the Poxy Boggards
, a folk band. He sings baritone and tenor with the group and is featured on "Anchor Management", which was released in 2008, playing tenor and baritone saxophones, tuba, and tin whistle. The band's song, "I Wear No Pants" was featured as part of a Dockers advertising campaign which launched during the 2010 Super Bowl.
Bill also performs at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair as the character "Thaddeus Codswallop" in the Broadside Music Hall. He sings baritone and tenor in the group and plays a variety of brass instruments as well as acting in the traditional Victorian Music Hall role as Chairman for the group.
Blizzard Entertainment
Roper served as a Vice President of Blizzard NorthBlizzard North
Blizzard North was the Bay Area division of Blizzard Entertainment, known for the Diablo series. The studio was originally based in Redwood City, and then moved a short distance away to San Mateo, with Blizzard proper being based in Irvine .-History:Blizzard North was originally an independent...
and was a Director of Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
from 1994 - 2003. He oversaw and managed all external projects, coordinated internal development teams, and headed Blizzard's project oversight teams where he was instrumental in shaping the direction of the company's games.
Bill Roper worked directly on numerous million-selling games in varied producer positions and played a key role in the success of the Warcraft
Warcraft Universe
Warcraft is a franchise of video games, novels, and other media originally created by Blizzard Entertainment. The series is made up of Four core games: Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and World of Warcraft...
, StarCraft
StarCraft (series)
StarCraft is a military science fiction media franchise created by Chris Metzen and James Phinney, and owned by Blizzard Entertainment. The series centers on a galactic struggle for dominance between three species—the adaptable and mobile Terrans, the insectoid Zerg, and the enigmatic Protoss—in a...
and Diablo franchises. He also acted in and assisted with the direction of the voice recording for Blizzard’s titles, as well as personally representing the games to the global gaming community.
Flagship Studios
After his departure from Blizzard Entertainment, he co-founded and held the position of CEO for Flagship StudiosFlagship Studios
Flagship Studios was a computer game company founded by Bill Roper along with Max Schaefer, Erich Schaefer, and David Brevik, the original developers of Diablo and former high level Blizzard North executives...
, the developer of Hellgate: London
Hellgate: London
Hellgate: London is a dark fantasy themed action role-playing game originally developed by Flagship Studios, released on October 31, 2007. It was developed by a team headed by former Blizzard Entertainment employees, some of whom had overseen the creation of the Diablo series...
and Mythos
Mythos (computer game)
Mythos is a multiplayer computer role-playing game that was originally under development by Flagship Studios Seattle, a subdivision of Flagship Studios, a video game company composed largely of ex-Blizzard North employees who were lead producers of the Diablo series...
(which was later released by HanbitSoft). Amidst rumors of layoffs within the company, the company dissolved and lost the rights to both Mythos and Hellgate: London to Hanbitsoft
HanbitSoft
HanbitSoft is a Korean computer game publishing and development company. It is best known internationally as the Korean distributor for the successful computer game StarCraft....
and Comerica
Comerica
Comerica Incorporated is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, USA. It has retail banking operations in Arizona, California, Florida, Michigan and Texas; and select business operations in several other U.S...
respectively; the Asian market partner and the bank which held up the intellectual property rights as collateral on loans taken to buy time to find investors. HanbitSoft currently owns the intellectual property rights to Mythos and Hellgate: London.
Cryptic Studios
In November 2008 Roper joined Cryptic StudiosCryptic Studios
Cryptic Studios, a wholly owned Perfect World subsidiary, is a small American massively multiplayer online role-playing game developer headquartered in Los Gatos, California.-History:...
as Design Director and Executive Producer of their newest project, Champions Online
Champions Online
Champions Online is a free-to-play superhero-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game by former City of Heroes/Villains developer Cryptic Studios based on the Champions license. The game's rules and setting are loosely based on the HERO System ruleset...
. At New York Comicon 2009, Roper told the audience that he "played Champions
Champions (role-playing game)
Champions is a role-playing game published by Hero Games that is designed to simulate and function in a four-color superhero comic book world. It was created by George MacDonald, Steve Peterson, Bruce Harlick, and Ray Greer....
as a kid" and that his efforts to get involved in Cryptic's beta test for Champions Online led to his being offered a job at the company.
In March 2010, Roper accepted a promotion to Chief Creative Officer of Cryptic Studios, replacing Jack Emmert who transitioned to the role of Chief Operations Officer.
On August 16, 2010, Roper announced his departure from Cryptic Studios. He has given no specifics as to what his future plans are.
Game titles
Roper has worked on the following titles:- BlackthorneBlackthorneBlackthorne is a computer and video game, a cinematic platformer, that was developed by Blizzard Entertainment....
(1994) - Music - Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (1994) - Producer, Voiceover, Documentation
- Warcraft II: Tides of DarknessWarcraft II: Tides of DarknessWarcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a fantasy-themed real-time strategy game published by Blizzard Entertainment and first released for DOS in 1995 and for Mac OS in 1996...
(1995) - Design, Narration, Voiceover, Documentation - Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark PortalWarcraft II: Beyond the Dark PortalWarcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal is an expansion pack developed by Cyberlore Studios, released in 1996 by Blizzard Entertainment for their award winning real-time strategy computer game Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness...
(1996) - Executive Producer, Story Consultant, Narration, Voiceover - Diablo (1996) - Producer, Voice Production, Casting & Directing, Story, Voiceover, Documentation, Strike Team
- StarCraftStarCraftStarCraft is a military science fiction real-time strategy video game developed by Blizzard Entertainment. The first game of the StarCraft series was released for Microsoft Windows on 31 March 1998. With more than 11 million copies sold worldwide as of February 2009, it is one of the best-selling...
(1998) - Producer, Voiceover, Documentation, Strike Team - StarCraft: Brood WarStarCraft: Brood WarStarCraft: Brood War is the expansion pack for the award winning military science fiction, real-time strategy video game StarCraft. Released in 1998 for Windows and Mac OS, it was co-developed by Saffire and Blizzard Entertainment. The expansion pack introduced new campaigns, map tilesets, music,...
(1998) - Executive Producer, Voiceover, Caterer, Documentation - Warcraft II: Battle.net EditionWarcraft II: Tides of DarknessWarcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a fantasy-themed real-time strategy game published by Blizzard Entertainment and first released for DOS in 1995 and for Mac OS in 1996...
(1999) - Producer - Diablo IIDiablo IIDiablo II is a dark fantasy/horror-themed hack and slash, with elements of the role playing game and dungeon crawl genres. It was released for Windows and Mac OS in 2000 by Blizzard Entertainment, and was developed by Blizzard North. It is a direct sequel to the 1996 hit PC game, Diablo.Diablo II...
(2000) - Senior Producer, Voice Casting, Voiceover, Strike Team - Diablo II: Lord of DestructionDiablo II: Lord of DestructionDiablo II: Lord of Destruction is an expansion pack for the hack and slash action role-playing game Diablo II...
(2001) - Global Launch Team, Strike Team - Warcraft III: Reign of ChaosWarcraft III: Reign of ChaosWarcraft III: Reign of Chaos is a real time strategy computer game released by Blizzard Entertainment on July 3, 2002 . It is the second sequel to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, and it is the third game set in the Warcraft Universe...
(2002) - Voiceover, Strike Team - Warcraft III: The Frozen ThroneWarcraft III: The Frozen ThroneWarcraft III: The Frozen Throne is a real-time strategy computer game developed for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS and Mac OS X by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the official expansion pack to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, requiring Reign of Chaos to play...
(2003) - Voiceover - Hellgate: LondonHellgate: LondonHellgate: London is a dark fantasy themed action role-playing game originally developed by Flagship Studios, released on October 31, 2007. It was developed by a team headed by former Blizzard Entertainment employees, some of whom had overseen the creation of the Diablo series...
(2007) - CEO - Champions OnlineChampions OnlineChampions Online is a free-to-play superhero-themed massively multiplayer online role-playing game by former City of Heroes/Villains developer Cryptic Studios based on the Champions license. The game's rules and setting are loosely based on the HERO System ruleset...
(2009) - Design Director, Executive Producer - Star Trek OnlineStar Trek OnlineStar Trek Online, often abbreviated as STO, is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed by Cryptic Studios based on the popular Star Trek series created by Gene Roddenberry. The game is set in the 25th century, 30 years after the events of Star Trek Nemesis...
(2010) - Design Director
Music work
Roper has performed at the California Renaissance Pleasure FairesRenaissance Fair
A Renaissance fair, Renaissance faire, or Renaissance festival is an outdoor weekend gathering, usually held in the United States, open to the public and typically commercial in nature, which emulates a historic period for the amusement of its guests. Some are permanent theme parks, others are...
, as the character "Captain Black" since 1994. He is the co-founder as well as a lyricist and composer for the Poxy Boggards
Poxy Boggards
The Poxy Boggards are an American all-male folk band based in Pasadena. They were founded in 1994 at the Southern California Renaissance Pleasure Faire. Since this time, they have achieved success in the re-burgeoning of the Irish-folk movement, playing with bands such as The Fenians...
, a folk band. He sings baritone and tenor with the group and is featured on "Anchor Management", which was released in 2008, playing tenor and baritone saxophones, tuba, and tin whistle. The band's song, "I Wear No Pants" was featured as part of a Dockers advertising campaign which launched during the 2010 Super Bowl.
Bill also performs at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair as the character "Thaddeus Codswallop" in the Broadside Music Hall. He sings baritone and tenor in the group and plays a variety of brass instruments as well as acting in the traditional Victorian Music Hall role as Chairman for the group.
Radio Personality
On March 3, 2011 it was announced that Bill Roper would be joining the Bulletproof Radio team. Bulletproof Radio is a weekly, international terrestrial and streaming radio show covering the latest trends in gaming and tech. Bulletproof Radio is produced weekly by the team at Bulletproof Pixel.Controversy
Largely because of the failure of Flagship Studios after its poorly-received title Hellgate: London, Bill Roper has been extensively criticized by gamers. Roper acknowledges the game as a failure, but believes he has learned from the experience. Roper's role in Champions Online also came under fire. On March 16, 2010, Roper announced on the Champions Online website that he would be stepping down as Executive Producer of the game but later it was announced that the vacancy was made to accept a promotion to Chief Creative Officer title within Cryptic Studios overseeing Champions Online, Star Trek Online, and Neverwinter. He left Cryptic Studios later that same year.External links
- Interview with Bill Roper on stardom, Korea and fun
- Developer bio at MobyGames
- Interview on the closing of Flagship StudiosFlagship StudiosFlagship Studios was a computer game company founded by Bill Roper along with Max Schaefer, Erich Schaefer, and David Brevik, the original developers of Diablo and former high level Blizzard North executives...
- July '03 Interview with GameSpy.com