Þórólfur Beck Kristjónsson

Þórólfur Beck Kristjónsson
Born April 14, 1974
Reykjavík, Iceland
Education Bifröst University (dropped out)
Known for Co-founding CCP Games

Þórólfur Beck Kristjónsson (Thorolfur Beck Kristjonsson) (born April 14, 1974) is an entrepreneur, game designer and producer best known for co-founding the video game company CCP Games[1] and creating the board game Hættuspil (Danger Game).[2] Hættuspil remains one of Iceland's most popular board games and CCP's video game EVE Online currently has 500,000 users.[3] EVE also went on to win awards from PC Gamer magazine and MMORPG.com.[4]

Early life and education

Beck was born and raised in Reykjavik, Iceland, where he has lived for the majority of his life. While originally wanting to become a pilot, he was always interested in video games. The first video games he played were on the Commodore 64 as well as in arcades; his favorite games and main inspirations were Elite, Magic: The Gathering, VRML and early MUD titles .[5]

In 2002, Þórólfur enrolled in Bifröst University in Borgarbyggð, Iceland. He studied law for two years but later dropped out when he was given the opportunity become the agent and producer of an Icelandic music act that went on to compete in a European music competition. He later re-enrolled in 2011 to continue his degree but then dropped out again in 2013.

Career

In 1997, along with Reynir Harðarson, Þórólfur founded CCP games [6] for the purpose of making MMORPGs. In order to finance the initial development of Eve Online, CCP developed and published a board game in Iceland called Hættuspil ("Danger Game").[6] During his time at CCP, He was majority owner, founder, manager, chairman and sole game designer as well as being the first employee.[5] Þórólfur has since left the company as well as all of the original founders, the last of which left in 2015.

In 2005 Þórólfur became the producer of Silvía Night,[7] an Icelandic singer based on a fictional character who was Iceland's participant in Eurovision Song Contest 2006 with the song "Congratulations" after winning the Icelandic national finals. While failing to win the competition, the act continued to be very popular in Iceland and is still remembered as one of countries most entertaining entries.

In 2007 Þórólfur became Executive Vice President (EVP) of Business Development at LazyTown Entertainment, where he was in charge of tying LazyTown with Wal-Mart Mexico with the aim of promoting healthy lifestyles and delivering fitness ideas to Mexican children and families.[8] LazyTown Entertainment is an Icelandic children's entertainment company that also brands toys and healthy food items, its main TV show "Lazy Town" (originally "Latibær") was based on a popular Icelandic children play and is one of the fastest growing children's shows in the world.

Beck is currently working on a MMO project under the company name "Beyond Ever After" with partner/producer Brynjar Gigja.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "CCP Games", Giant Bomb, (Retrieved 29 June 2010)
  2. ↑ "Frá hugmynd að heimsenda - Þórólfur Beck", Bifröst University, 12 July 2012, (Retrieved 30 January 2014) (in Icelandic)
  3. ↑ "EVE Online passes 500,000 subscribers", Edge Online News, (Retrieved 20 November 2015)
  4. ↑ "EVE Online Homepage", CCP Games, (Retrieved 20 November 2015)
  5. 1 2 3 "Meet the Eve Online creator who CCP left behind", Eurogamer, 20 June 2014, (Retrieved 20 November 2015)
  6. 1 2 "10 Years of CCP", Page 2, Eurogamer, 15 June 2007, (Retrieved 20 November 2015)
  7. ↑ Bergþóra Jónsdóttir, "Það er í höndum guðs, – hann er sko stílistinn minn", Morgunblaðið, 20 May 2006, (Retrieved 30 January 2014) (in Icelandic)
  8. ↑ Samantha Loveday, "LazyTown ties with Wal-Mart Mexico", Licensing.biz, 13 March 2008, (Retrieved 30 January 2014)
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