Karl Roelofs

Karl Roelofs (born September 11, 1964) is an American video game developer known for creating the MacVenture game Shadowgate. He is a co-founder of the video game development company Zojoi, LLC with Dave Marsh.[4]

Karl Roelofs
Born (1964-09-11) September 11, 1964
OccupationCreative Director and Producer at Zojoi, LLC
Years active1985–present
Employer
Notable work
Style
Websitezojoi.com
Notes

Biography

ICOM Simulations

Karl Roelofs began his career in video game development in 1985 when his best friend Dave Marsh enlisted him to help with designing a video game for ICOM Simulations. Karl had wanted to be a writer and saw an opportunity in Dave's offer. He accepted the chance to design and write a fantasy adventure game and began working with Dave to create their first game together which would later be called Shadowgate. Karl was hired at ICOM Simulations in 1987 after the company had already released its first two MacVenture games, Déjà Vu: A Nightmare Comes True, Uninvited, and while working on and finishing Shadowgate.[5]

Karl and Dave were not fully aware of how successful the games they developed were at the time as they were mostly focused on porting the MacVenture games to as many computer systems as possible.[5] Together with Dave, Karl worked on a sequel to Shadowgate called Beyond Shadowgate which was to be the next Shadowgate MacVenture title.[4] The game was four times larger than the original Shadowgate and had been fully designed and scripted,[6] but ICOM Simulations got a contract with NEC to develop for the TurboGrafx-16. ICOM decided to shift their focus from adventure games to side scrolling and top-down action games. This prompted a redesign of Beyond Shadowgate for the TurboGrafx-CD as a hybrid side-scrolling and adventure game.[5]

In 1993, ICOM Simulations was purchased by Viacom, Inc. and renamed to "Viacom New Media".[7] Karl began to work on games based on MTV and Nickelodeon properties, such as Nickelodeon GUTS and Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day.[3] After Viacom shut down Viacom New Media in 1998, Karl Roelofs went on to work for brief stints at Konami of America and Kesmai Studios/Electronic Arts.[8] A highlight of this period was his involvement in an online version of the Settlers of Catan for MSN Zone.[3][9]

Then he joined a new company with his friend Dave Marsh and another former employee of ICOM Simulations: Eugene Evans.[4] Eugene was the founder and president of a new video game production company called Infinite Ventures, and had obtained the rights to ICOM Simulation's original intellectual properties, including Shadowgate.[10] Together, Karl worked with them to create what was intended to be the "next generation" world of Shadowgate.[11]

Zojoi

On March 7, 2012, Karl Roelofs co-founded Zojoi, LLC with Dave Marsh.[12] They had reacquired the rights to the ICOM Simulations properties which included the rights to Shadowgate, Uninvited, and Déjà Vu I and II and materials such as the master recordings for the Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective games.[13]

The first project from Zojoi was a Kickstarter crowd funding campaign to remaster the Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective mysteries and release them for iOS and Android tablets as well as Windows and OS X platforms. The campaign had a funding goal of $55,000 and ran for 44 days. However, it only received $17,430 in pledges and did not succeed.[14][15]

Despite the unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign, Karl and Dave were able to obtain funding through other means for the Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective mysteries.[16][17] The first three mysteries were released on September 18, 2012 over iTunes for the iPad 2 and newer models,[18] and on October 7, 2012 over Desura for Windows and OS X.[19] Karl and Dave took their experience with the campaign for Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective and applied what they had learned for their next Kickstarter campaign for Shadowgate. Instrumental to this was that Shadowgate would be re-imagined and that it be in pre-production so that they could clearly communicate their vision through visuals, audio, and art.[6]

On October 26, 2012, the Kickstarter campaign for Shadowgate went live with Karl Roelofs appearing beside Dave Marsh in the campaign pitch video.[20] It had a funding goal of $120,000 and was set to last for 31 days.[21] The campaign was successful and raised $137,232 in pledges by November 25, 2012. With that funding, the new re-imagined Shadowgate moved into production. If the reception to the new revision of Shadowgate is great enough, Karl and Dave have expressed an interest in developing their original vision for the sequel, Beyond Shadowgate, as well as bringing back re-imagined versions of Uninvited and Déjà Vu I and II .[4]

Games
Release DateTitleDeveloperPublisherPlatformCredit
1985Déjà VuICOM SimulationsMindscapeAmiga
Apple II
Commodore 64
PC		Artist / Producer[3]
1986UninvitedICOM SimulationsMindscapeMacintoshArtist / Producer[3]
1987ShadowgateICOM SimulationsMindscapeMacintoshGame Designer / Artist[3][22]
1988Déjà Vu II: Lost in Las VegasICOM SimulationsMindscapeMacintoshArtist[3]
1991Sherlock Holmes: Consulting DetectiveICOM SimulationsICOM SimulationsPCGame Designer / Artist[3]
1992Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. IIICOM SimulationsICOM SimulationsPCGame Designer / Artist[3]
1992Road Runner's Death Valley RallyICOM SimulationsSunsoftSNESAdditional Design[23]
1993Sherlock Holmes: Consulting Detective Vol. IIIICOM SimulationsICOM SimulationsPCGame Designer / Artist[3]
1993Beyond ShadowgateICOM SimulationsTurbo Technologies Inc.TurboGrafx-CDOriginal Concept[3][24]
1993Shape ShifterICOM SimulationsTurbo Technologies Inc.TurboGrafx-CDGame Designer[3]
1993Dracula UnleashedICOM SimulationsViacom New MediaPCGame Designer[3][25][26][27]
1993Daffy Duck: The Marvin MissionsICOM SimulationsSunsoftSNESAdditional Design[3][28]
1994Bugs Bunny Rabbit RampageViacom New MediaSunsoftSNESAdditional Design[3][29]
1994Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous DayViacom New MediaViacom New MediaSNESGame Designer[3][30]
1994Nickelodeon GUTSViacom New MediaViacom New MediaSNESProducer[3][31]
1997Broken HelixKonamiKonamiPS1Additional Design[3][8]
1999Shadowgate ClassicInfinite VenturesKemcoGBCGame Designer[3]
1999Déjà Vu I & II: The Casebooks of Ace HardingKemcoVatical EntertainmentGBCGame Designer[3]
2001Air Warriors III: Millenium VersionKesmaiI-Magic
Electronic Arts		PCLive Producer[3]
2005Catan: The Computer GameCastle Hill StudiosMSN GamesPCCo-Producer / Artist[3]
2005–201150 Five-Reel and Three-Reel Mechanical Slot Machine TitlesVideo Gaming TechnologiesVideo Gaming TechnologiesSlot machineCreative Services Manager[2]

Patents

In addition to his video game credits, Karl Roelofs is also the inventor of a published patent for a gaming machine and method. The patent describes a game play mechanism for gaming machines wherein certain icons obtained from the spinning reels could be saved in a separate grid, and then called back in blank areas of the reel in order to complete a winning combination. Karl created this patent while he was working at Video Gaming Technologies. It was applied for on February 1, 2008 and was granted by the US patent office on January 17, 2012.[32]

gollark: Probably most people aren't that.
gollark: I mean, honestly I doubt anyone here is much older than, what, university age.
gollark: Have "you" "returned" to "school" lately, "GIbSon"?
gollark: Fun fact: I am, allegedly, returning to school (somewhat) tomorrow.
gollark: ?charinfo communism (☭) iß bad

See also

References
  1. Roelofs, Karl. "Karl Roelofs / About". Facebook. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  2. Roelofs, Karl. "Karl Roelofs' Public Profile". LinkedIn. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  3. "Who we are: Karl's Games". Charlottesville, Virginia: Zojoi, LLC. 2012. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  4. McElroy, Griffin (October 26, 2012). "A Successful Shadowgate Could Pave The Way For New Déjà Vu, Other Macventures". Polygon. Washington, D.C.: Vox Media. 3555494. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  5. Sorlie, Audun (November 20, 2012). "Exclusive: Zojoi talks Shadowgate history and future". Destructoid. San Francisco, CA: Modern Method Network. 238512. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  6. Cifaldi, Frank (October 26, 2012). "Seminal 80s adventure Shadowgate hopes for Kickstarter comeback". Gamasutra. London, United Kingdom: UBM plc. 180209. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  7. Zelchenko, Peter (February 12, 1999). "'Hatman' Elevates Making Fun of the Boss to a New Level". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, IL: Tribune Company. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  8. "Broken Helix (PSX) Credits Part 2". YouTube. June 8, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  9. "Who we are". Charlottesville, Virginia: Zojoi, LLC. 2012. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
  10. beersoft (February 27, 2004). "INTERVIEW: Infinite Ventures". MSMobileNews.com. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  11. McGlothlin, Ed (July 29, 1999). "Interview with Dave Marsh and Karl Roelofs". Gaming Intelligence Agency. f990729. Archived from the original on February 24, 2002. Retrieved January 7, 2013. Alt URL
  12. Benson, Julian (November 10, 2012). "Interview: Dave Marsh on Shadowgate Kickstarter. "We definitely will keep that sense of danger around every corner"". PCGamesN. Bristol, UK: Network N Ltd. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  13. Business Entity Details: Zojoi, LLC (SCC eFile), Richmond, Virginia: Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission, March 7, 2012, S3962646, retrieved January 7, 2013
  14. Marsh, Dave (March 16, 2012). "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Adventure Mysteries". New York City, NY: Kickstarter. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  15. "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Adventure Mysteries". Additional content provided by David Marsh. Kicktraq. May 28, 2012. Campaign Dates. Retrieved October 13, 2012.CS1 maint: others (link)
  16. McElroy, Griffin (October 26, 2012). "Shadowgate remake hits Kickstarter, adds new rooms, graphics and music to original adventure". Polygon. Washington, D.C.: Vox Media. 3553810. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  17. Dimopoulos, Konstantinos (September 20, 2012). "Mobile Game Pick: Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective (Zojoi)". IndieGames.com. London, United Kingdom: UBM plc. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
  18. "iTunes Preview: 1 Mummy". iTunes. September 18, 2012. Released. 559255762. Retrieved December 12, 2012. "Released: Sep 18, 2012 / Version: 1.0”
  19. "Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective: Case 1 Windows, Mac game". Desura. October 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 21, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  20. Marsh, Dave (October 26, 2012). "Shadowgate". New York City, NY: Kickstarter. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
  21. "Shadowgate". Additional content provided by Zojoi. Kicktraq. October 26, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2013.CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. "[Macintosh Version] Shadowgate – Staff Credits". YouTube. April 3, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  23. "Road Runners Death Valley Rally – Game Ending – Nintendo Super NES". YouTube. May 22, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  24. "PC Engine Longplay [017] Beyond Shadowgate". YouTube. November 7, 2009. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  25. Viacom New Media (1993). Dracula Unleashed (Sega CD). Sega. Scene: Intro Sequence. Game Design by David Marsh & Karl Roelofs, Produced by David Marsh
  26. ICOM Simulations Infinite Ventures (2002). Dracula Unleashed (DVD). Infinite Ventures. Scene: Credits. DVD Development Team Executive Producer: Eugene Evans, Original ICOM Simulations Development Team Producer: David Marsh, Design: David Marsh & Karl Roelofs
  27. "Dracula Unleashed [Finale Part 2 of 2] Remastered Version". YouTube. March 20, 2011. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  28. "Daffy Duck: The Marvin Missions (SNES) Gameplay Part 10". YouTube. December 4, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  29. "Bugs Bunny Rabbit Rampage (SNES) Gameplay Part 10". YouTube. June 7, 2008. Retrieved September 27, 2012.
  30. "SNES Longplay [021] Rocko's Modern Life: Spunky's Dangerous Day". YouTube. May 3, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  31. "Let's Play / Review : Nickelodeon GUTS SNES part 3". YouTube. March 8, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  32. US patent 8096871, Karl Roelofs, "Gaming machine and method", issued 2012-01-17, assigned to Video Gaming Technologies, Inc.
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