Steve Gaynor

Steve Gaynor
Nationality American
Other names Steve "Hot Scoops" Gaynor[1]
Alma mater Portland State University[2]
Occupation Video game designer, writer.
Notable work Perseus Mandate, Bioshock 2, Minerva's Den, Bioshock Infinite, Gone Home

Steve Gaynor is an American game designer and writer, known for his work on games Bioshock 2, Minerva's Den[3] and Gone Home. He is a former employee of 2K Marin[4] and Irrational Games and is co-founder of The Fullbright Company. He is also a member of the Idle Thumbs's "Thumbscrew" team.[1][5]

Career

Gaynor started his career in game design as a tester for Sony and Perpetual Entertainment, during which time he made amateur levels for F.E.A.R. in his free time.[6] On the back of this experience, Gaynor started work as a level designer for TimeGate Studios working on the Perseus Mandate expansion to F.E.A.R.[4]

At 2K Marin, Gaynor worked on Bioshock 2 as designer on levels such as "The Adonis Luxury Resort" and "Pauper's Drop".[6] Following the release of Bioshock 2, Gaynor worked as writer and lead designer on expansion pack Minerva's Den

Gaynor was Senior Level Designer at Irrational Games in 2010 and 2011,[2] while the studio worked on Bioshock Infinite.

The Fullbright Company

In 2012, Gaynor formed independent game studio The Fullbright Company,[7][8] along with other ex-2K Marin employees Johnnemann Nordhagen and Karla Zimonja, and with artist Kate Craig joining the team in August 2012.[9]

Writing and journalism

As well as writing his personal Fullbright Design blog, Gaynor has written about video games for industry publications such as Gamasutra[10] and video game culture publications such as Idle Thumbs. He has also spoken about video game design for podcasts such as Michael Abbott's Brainy Gamer[4] and Idle Thumbs (which he co-hosted for a time[11]).

Work

At TimeGate Studios (level designer)

At 2K Marin (designer, lead designer)

At Irrational Games (senior level designer)

At The Fullbright Company (designer, writer)

Personal life

Gaynor is an enthusiast of feminism and atheism.[12] He is a fan of film noir,[4][10] Japanese cinema,[13] cyberpunk[5] and the Looking Glass Studios style of immersive simulation games. He has a wife, Rachel Jacks, who is referenced in Bioshock 2 as "Rachelle Jacques."[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Idle Thumbs Episode 7: Stop Doing Interviews". Idle Thumbs. 17 November 2008. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Steve Gaynor's Linkedin profile". Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "MINERVA'S DEN HEADED TO A PC NEAR YOU". 2K Games. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Abbott, Michael (21 May 2008). "Brainy Gamer Podcast Episode 14". Brainy Gamer. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Idle Thumbs Games Of The Year 2011". Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Gaynor, Steve. "BioShock 2... seeeeeeecrets". Fullbright. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  7. ↑ Meer, Alec. "Minerva’s Decree: Lo, The Fullbright Company Is Formed". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  8. ↑ Ligman, Kris. "BioShock 2's creative lead is going independent". Gamasutra. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "The Fullbright Company: About". Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Gaynor, Steve. "Opinion: Is The Industry Ready For Its 'Game Noir'?". Gamasutra. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Idle Thumbs Episode 51: The Great Gatling-Gunsby". Idle Thumbs. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  12. ↑ Gaynor, Steve (8 August 2013). "Feminism owns. Atheism owns.". Twitter. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
  13. ↑ Gaynor, Steve (24 January 2011). "Get Into Film Noir. Get Into Japanese Film.". Twitter. Retrieved 17 August 2013.

External links