Jeff Johannigman - Part 2 - Origin, Dynamix, Microprose

Jeff Johannigman - Part 2 - Origin, Dynamix, Microprose

Author: Karl Kuras May 13, 2025 Duration: 1:36:40

 

From a bedroom coder to Game Developer's Conference OG to the creator of one of the greatest one-on-one action strategy games of the 8 bit era, Jeff Johannigman worked for some of the most legendary companies of the 80s, Epyx, Electronic Arts, and Origin and beyond.  

In Part 2, we talk about working on Ultima for the Gameboy, porting Dynamix titles to the Amiga, rediscovering his strategy roots at Microprose and finally deciding to exit the industry on moral and personal grounds.
Jeff's insight and storytelling skill make this a wonderful chat.

Recorded: September 2024

Watch the video version here:
https://www.patreon.com/posts/128754521

And catch up with Part 1 of the interview here:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/jeff-johannigman-125624209

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Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannigman/
https://www.mobygames.com/game/5630/ultima-runes-of-virtue/
https://wiki.ultimacodex.com/wiki/Ultima_V:_cloth_map
http://www.thealmightyguru.com/Wiki/images/e/ee/Ultima_-_Savage_Empire_-_DOS_-_Manual.pdf
https://www.debonogroup.com/services/core-programs/six-thinking-hats/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZi58u1FjI
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamix
https://www.lemonamiga.com/games/list.php?list_publisher=Dynamix&list_developer=Dynamix
https://www.mobygames.com/game/444/microprose-entertainment-pack-vol-1-dr-floyds-desktop-toys/
https://www.mobygames.com/game/521/x-com-ufo-defense/
https://www.mobygames.com/game/212/master-of-orion/
Diaries:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrIWJy0tAas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sese4lzWNtQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1cO2uHyf58
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stellar_Conquest
https://www.mobygames.com/person/5529/david-govett/
https://www.mobygames.com/game/212/master-of-orion/promo/group-52963/image-790706/
https://www.mobygames.com/game/1417/this-means-war/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Up_in_the_Air_(2009_film)
https://peopletype.com/
https://www.mobygames.com/game/28566/ashen-empires/


 Recommended Links:

The History of How We Play: https://thehistoryofhowweplay.wordpress.com/

Gaming Alexandria: https://www.gamingalexandria.com/wp/

They Create Worlds: https://tcwpodcast.podbean.com/

Digital Antiquarian: https://www.filfre.net/

The Arcade Blogger: https://arcadeblogger.com/

Retro Asylum: http://retroasylum.com/category/all-posts/

Retro Game Squad: http://retrogamesquad.libsyn.com/

Playthrough Podcast: https://playthroughpod.com/

Retromags.com: https://www.retromags.com/

Games That Weren't - https://www.gamesthatwerent.com/

Copyright Karl Kuras


Ever wonder what gamers were actually talking about decades ago, before online forums and endless hot takes? Each month, Video Game Newsroom Time Machine hosted by Karl Kuras does exactly that, dusting off the headlines and magazine pages from the past. This isn't just a nostalgia trip; it's a grounded look at the industry's turning points as they happened. You'll hear about the surprising announcements, the forgotten controversies, and the hardware launches that had everyone buzzing-from arcade trends in Japan to home computer wars in Europe and North America. The podcast specifically revisits news from exactly 30, 40, and 50 years prior, creating a unique layered perspective on how video game culture evolved. It’s like sitting in a newsroom from a different era, piecing together the stories that shaped the games we remember today. Tune in for a monthly dose of context, where the past conversations about pixels and processors feel surprisingly fresh and directly connected to the present.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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