10 Most Influential Creators In Modern Video Games
3. Sid Meier
When going to buy a new strategy game, there's nothing more reassuring than seeing the name Sid Meier proudly plastered above the title. It's a symbol of quality, an assurance that this is the best the genre has to offer. Since the moment he arrived in the industry, Sid Meier revolutionised how tactics work in the medium, his gameplay continuing to deepen with each and every title he releases.
Pioneering the genre with his flagship franchise Civilization, Meier has been defining the strategy game experience for years. His work encouraged players to think, incorporating mechanics that were not only deeply tactical in combat but also encouraged diplomacy and politics in the way the game played. His titles are made to be complex, yet unlike many other examples of the genre, they're accessible to players of all level of skill.
You don't have to look far to see the impact Civilization has had on the modern day gaming industry, franchises such as the rebooted XCOM and Total War taking heavy influence from Meier's work. After 35 years in the industry, the legendary icon has made a habit of injecting the strategy genre with innovation, and it's unlikely he's going to stop anytime soon.