Richard Garfield
- Born:
- June 26, 1963, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Mathematician, Game Designer, Inventor
Early Life and Education
- Earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1985.
- Received a Ph.D. in Combinatorial Mathematics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1993.
- Focused his doctoral research on enumerative combinatorics.
Career and Major Achievements
- Designed Magic: The Gathering, the first trading card game, published by Wizards of the Coast in 1993.
- Magic: The Gathering became a worldwide phenomenon and established the trading card game genre.
- Designed other notable games, including Netrunner, KeyForge, and King of Tokyo.
- Consulted for various game companies and provided expertise in game design and mathematics.
- Inducted into the Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame in 1999.
Notable Works
| Game Title | Year Published | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Magic: The Gathering | 1993 | Designer |
| Netrunner | 1996 | Designer |
| King of Tokyo | 2011 | Designer |
| KeyForge | 2018 | Designer |
Legacy and Impact
Richard Garfield's most significant contribution is arguably his development of Magic: The Gathering, which revolutionized the gaming industry and created a lasting legacy. Studying a killer instinct biography of Garfield highlights his innovative approach to game design and his influence on the modern game landscape. His work continues to inspire game designers and entertain players worldwide.