Quick Facts
Biography
Paul Reiche III (born February 17, 1961) is an American game designer, particularly known for his work on computer games. Reiche is best known for being the co-creator, together with Fred Ford, of the Star Control universe.
Career
Pen and paper RPGs
Reiche was a childhood friend of early Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) artist Erol Otus, and became interested in gaming as a teen. He and Otus played role-playing games together and released a few small games in the genre. Eventually, both wound up at TSR (the then publisher of D&D). They made contributions to the evolving game and other games by TSR, Otus with artwork, Reiche with game design (primarily on D&D and Gamma World). Reiche's credits as developer include Isle of Dread, Slave Pits of the Undercity and Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords, and The Ghost Tower of Inverness, and he also contributed to Gary Gygax's Legion of Gold for Gamma World. Reiche also invented the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons race of Thri-kreen Mantis warriors, which debuted in the second set of Monster Cards.
Computer games
Eventually Reiche left TSR to work on computer games with Electronic Arts (EA). Reiche worked on Mail Order Monsters, the Archon series and the Starflight series of computer games. Reiche was one of the co-founders of Free Fall Associates, the co-developer of the Archon series of games.
After his stint at EA, Reiche formed Toys for Bob with Fred Ford, and created Star Control. While Reiche did the game design and fiction, Ford was responsible for the programming. After publishing it, Accolade contracted with Reiche and Ford to develop the sequel, Star Control II. Reiche's friend, Otus, provided at least one illustration for the sequel's manual. Reiche voiced the neo-Dnyarri in Star Control II.
Reiche is currently the CEO and Director of Development of Toys For Bob, which was acquired by Activision in 2005. On February 12, 2011, it was revealed that Toys for Bob has been working on Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, with Reiche acting as Creative Director.
Reiche is listed in the credits for ToeJam & Earl under "Invaluable Help", as well as in "Inspiration" section of credits for Strange Adventures in Infinite Space.