When it came to RPGs, most modern players would probably give the same three answers without hesitation.
Japan's three legendary RPG franchises: The Legend of Zelda, Final Fantasy, and Dragon Quest.
But back in an era before Larian Studios even existed, before CRPG masterpieces like Baldur's Gate and Divinity: Original Sin had been born, the western gaming world had its own trio of RPG giants.
Jon was reaching for the last slice of pizza in the box while typing away on his keyboard with his free hand. Then the doorbell rang, and he was startled for a while as visitors were rare.
Although New World Computing had been founded over a year ago, most of the company's income came from contract work and outsourced development. People almost never showed up unannounced like this. He quickly wiped the grease from his hands onto his jeans and hurried to answer the door.
The moment Ethan saw the young developer standing before him with neatly parted hair, surprise flashed across his face. The stat panel looked nothing like what he'd expected.
[Jon Van Caneghem]
Overall Rating: A (Talented in more than one way)
Programming: 97 (Growth Potential: A+)
Script Writing: 65 (Growth Potential: B+)
Graphic Design: 71 (Growth Potential: B+)
Music Composition: 52 (Growth Potential: B-)
Medical Expertise: 99 (Growth Potential: A+)
Business & Finance: 22 (Growth Potential: E)
Wait. Why was his medical skill so ridiculously high?
Puzzled, Ethan scratched his head and looked past Jon into the room. His gaze immediately landed on a framed PhD certificate hanging on the wall.
"..."
A medical doctor who switched careers to computer games? California really was a land full of extraordinary people.
"Hello? Sir?"
Jon's voice snapped him back to reality. Ethan quickly recovered and handed over a business card.
"Hello, Mr. Van Caneghem. My name is Ethan Hayes. I'm the founder and CEO of GAMENOVA."
"Pffft!"
A mouthful of partially chewed sausage, bacon, and cheese nearly sprayed all over Ethan's face.
Jon's eyes almost popped out of their sockets. He stared at the business card, then at Ethan, his voice trembling.
"I-It... it's really you?!"
"I'm a huge fan! A huge fan!"
For Jon, this was the day a dream became reality.
The reason he had founded NWC last year was because he had been inspired by several RPG pioneers and driven by an immense passion for video games.
For any RPG enthusiast, The Legend of Zelda was a masterpiece that simply couldn't be ignored. It might have been very different from what he traditionally considered an RPG, but the experience it delivered was unforgettable all the same.
In his eyes, GAMENOVA was a respected industry leader. A company worthy of admiration, a company led by a true pioneer and now that very pioneer was standing right in front of him.
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Ethan froze briefly before understanding. This was 1985. Not only had the future masterpiece Heroes of Might and Magic yet to exist, even Might and Magic itself, the future member of the western RPG holy trinity, hadn't been released.
The future Jon was currently just a rookie developer at the beginning of his journey. Well then, another hidden gem found.
"Mr. Van Caneghem, I heard you're currently working on an RPG?"
Jon could hear his own heartbeat pounding in his ears. What was going on? Why was he asking about that?
Could it be… Oh boy. Was he about to get discovered?
"Ahem."
He cleared his throat and tried to appear more composed.
"Yes, Mr. Hayes. I've named it Might and Magic."
"If possible, could I take a look?"
"Of course!"
Jon agreed immediately. After all, a company like GAMENOVA had no reason to steal ideas from a nobody like him.
And even if they wanted to take inspiration from it, the project was still little more than a rough concept.
He led Ethan inside. Calling it a company was generous. The place was really just the residence he shared with his friend, Mark Caldwell.
"Ethan, I've been developing this game independently for nearly two years now. If everything goes well, it should be finished next year."
"You developed it all by yourself?"
Ethan stared at the piles of design documents scattered everywhere.
Scripts, concept art, design notes, even musical scores. If Jon had truly created all of this on his own, then he was an astonishingly versatile talent.
Walking over to the desk, Ethan examined the massive map spread across it. The Might and Magic series would go on to create one of the most iconic fantasy worlds in gaming history.
Enroth.
Though its modern fame would never quite reach the heights of Azeroth or Middle earth, during the golden age of western RPGs, there was no world more captivating.
"Incredible."
Ethan couldn't help but praise it sincerely. In this era, creating a project of this scale alone, using assembly language, and spending three years buried in development...
No wonder he'd succeed. Someone with that kind of determination would find success no matter what field he entered.
In truth, western RPGs had embraced open-world design long before Japanese RPGs.
Dungeon exploration, first-person perspective, and expansive open worlds became defining traits of the genre because of this very golden age.
"You flatter me..." Jon scratched his head shyly and powered on an Apple II sitting on the desk. A simple turn-based combat screen appeared.
"I was inspired by several great developers before me."
Naturally, Ethan knew exactly who those pioneers were. In fact, he was planning to meet them later. Looking at the Apple II, he was reminded that John Carmack had also shared quite a history with the machine.
It wasn't that surprising. The Apple II was the dominant personal computer of the era. Nothing else came close in market share. As for the Commodore 64, most people viewed it as a game machine that happened to function as a computer.
"Jon..." Ethan paused. "Have you ever considered developing games for an actual game console?"
Jon froze. The moment he saw Ethan standing at his door, he had already begun suspecting something. But hearing the invitation spoken aloud still sent a surge of excitement through him.
"I would!"
"Ethan, please let me join GAMENOVA!"
"...?"
Ethan nearly choked. The man was even more eager than he was.
"Uh..."
"Actually, I wanted to ask whether you'd be interested in becoming one of GAMENOVA's licensed third-party studios."
He hurriedly pulled out the prepared contract from his briefcase. While Jon was undoubtedly a genius on the technical side, his terrible finance stat made one thing very clear.
Running a business was absolutely not his specialty. The stacks of legal documents and agreements alone was enough to make his head hurt. Without even checking for trap clauses, Jon signed the contract almost immediately.
The two men eventually parted ways. Both secretly convinced they had just scored the deal of a lifetime.
Before Ethan left, Jon looked at him with almost embarrassing admiration and asked, "Ethan, may I ask something?"
"Of course."
"Why choose me as a partner instead of the people behind Ultima?"
Ethan blinked.
"Hm? Who said I'm not?"
"I'm heading to Texas next."