CHM Revolutionaries: Game Changers- Mark Cerny with EA's Rich Hilleman

This is an episode of REVOLUTIONARIES, a co-production of the Computer History Museum and KQED television, with major sponsorship by Intel. Recorded: November 7, 2012, broadcast date: May 6, 2013.
Mark Cerny is one of gaming's most influential designers, a true "game changer." He's received the International Game Developers Association's Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as been inducted into the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' Hall of Fame.
Mark Cerny joined Atari at the age of 17, and in a career spanning over thirty years has worked variously as a game designer, programmer, producer and business executive. His first major success was the classic arcade game "Marble Madness"; he subsequently made the transition to console games, working for Sega in the U.S. and Japan, and eventually serving as president of Universal Studio's games division. He is now the president and founder of Cerny Games, a game design consultancy that has contributed to the release of no fewer than 14 million-selling titles, including "Ratchet & Clank" and "Uncharted: Drake's Fortune".
Mark recently joined Electronic Arts' 20th employee and now Chief Creative Director, Rich Hilleman, for a wide-ranging conversation about his life and times in the gaming industry, along with his thinking about the state of the industry - from frustratingly difficult games to Hollywood's impact on games.
Watch the full lecture at • CHM Revolutionaries: G...

[@Acordim]

You, Mark Cerny, are an inspiration.

[@Mecharocca]

Mark Cerny is such a smart and kind guy. I'm always fascinated and more than happy to listen to him.

[@rayfran06]

I'm glad to see after Kayne and Lynch, that Lynch was able to find work in conducting interviews!

[@dddaaauuusss92]

that intro... he basically single-handedly bring Sony to the top of gaming industry during PS2 era. damn legend. I mean he created Crash, Spyro, Ratchet and Jak. four of many PS classics that are beloved by majority of PS users.

[@skywarp34100]

Just the difference between this guy and the goons at Microsoft is amazing

[@d.lynncarmichael9240]

It's about time, that the brilliant tech creators get the recognition they deserve. With Cerny, you sense a back-story at least as interesting as his iconic games. Nice conversation between Hilleman and Cerny.

[@IvanPlayStation4LiFe]

Awesome interview Mark Cerny is awesome very talented. PlayStation 4 will dominate. The whole interview is great saw the whole video.

[@matheusaguiarsoares]

This comment aged very well

[@Fuzzypet_Playscape]

@@matheusaguiarsoares yup

[@J0NNYJETSET]

Mark, for me, has become the face of the PS4 and Sony. Everything the gaming division represents and is. He's a kind guy and I could listen to him speak for hours!

[@wingygaming]

I will buy Knack, just to say thank you to Mark for his services to gaming *salutes*

[@51rickjames]

its a broad statement, but he really has worked with pretty much every console producing company working on most of their platforms.

[@martindavitt3806]

Such a smart and talented guy and I'm so glad he's involved with the Ps4

[@TagenigmaLLC]

Words to live by....

[@Exogenesis871]

Damn this guy is such a legend! Brilliant man!

[@jeanderbar]

Wow, I just realized this was recorded before the PS4 was announced. Mind = blown

[@WillingToHeaven]

Watching this and programming a game engine in C++. Awesome!

[@jacman117]

Dude, I figure he's one of the reasons why the PS4 will be so developer friendly. He's FROM the developer scene so he understands the importance of developers being involved in the choice of hardware for a console. I mean, geez, they ARE the ones that are going to be producing content for your console. In fact, consoles sell b/c of the software produced for it. Therefore, throw them a bone every once in a while lol.

[@bu3ouf91]

Mark Cerny such an intelligent treasure for Sony.

[@blueflyuniversity1528]

Define genius. Mark Cerny.

[@kmcke01]

Extremely smart man, bring on his work on the PS41

[@TypicallyUniqueOfficial]

The unannounced title he was talking about was Knack :)

[@georgpanathas]

I totally agree..!!!

[@AMalas]

Do you know why blacklight came to the ps4? Because of the devoloper friendly console and controller, all is because of this guy *mega respect*...

[@TomekSamcik69]

This is how being immature can slow down aging process.

[@PeturMag]

That's AWESOME!

[@AstraVex]

I only found out recently with a quick wikisearch that Mark Cerny has been involved in every single game I have loved growing up since I was 8. All the way from Sonic the Hedgehog 2 to God of War 3. I can safely say the PS4 hardware and any of its future prospects are in great hands :) ......But seriously, get some sleep, you goddamn Gaming Wizard.

[@highruz]

this man is a super brain

[@mati_cakes]

modern sir isaac newton

[@GAMEinPRO]

Mark Cerny is mind of PS4 . ..brilliant..

[@Fitted5hundreds]

When he said uncharted I was like wtf! But then I realized what he meant

[@hayatojp1249]

What do you do for sony?

[@dddaaauuusss92]

and I'm excited as F**k for Knack on PS4.

[@izhanshafiq324]

no i dont think so knack already announced i think he is working with naughty dog

[@tiben36]

holy fuck, my speakers are at max and i still have trouble hearing anything

[@CanadaFan12321]

does anyone remember the game kroc?

[@bhagbir510]

He is not gay , he is married

[@bhagbir510]

Lol he just described knack at 5:30 on

[@chaosrave]

i wish he would make another spyro or jak and daxter :D

[@riphoff]

Steve jobs on video games?

[@matycer1]

no se escucha

[@jacman117]

That's what Sony did with the PS3 huh? Try to make it a multimedia device. In the end, I'm a little optimistic to say, it turned out OK. I actually don't mind that if it prioritizes gaming, it must be a perk however.

[@TomekSamcik69]

Good thing of course ! My goal is to reach 30 at ~45.

[@MrBbendiksen]

When J Allard retired, that was M$ chance to find some one like Mark Cerny to spearhead the Xbox one architecture. Instead Xbox one is a media hub 1st, that happens to play games. I cant wait for PS4.

[@jordimagius]

Oh my god! xD

[@MidnightInAutumn]

Does Hellman look familiar to anyone else? LOL. Google "Brent Spiner Independence Day Images."

[@MrVeryhoudini]

he's talking about a business partner. i hope you were kidding, although it wasnt funny, a quick google search would of answered your dumb question.. this whole hour is him talking about his professional career.

[@pablobedi6551]

Your surname is almost Dewitt.

[@jordimagius]

12...

[@matbro999]

i played the absolute shit out of Croc, Great game :D

[@tarquin19841984]

Is Mark Cerny gay? I don't care either way, I just wondered because he said, 'and we had a legal guy, who was my partner'.

[@Captainpanda2080]

I think hes married to kazura cerny, a woman. source: wikipedia

[@alecrestrepo1086]

Ps4

[@crunkinthis]

this guy seems very nice and very intellegent but dam he needs to sleep...

[@bryanm.c4924]

se puede saber que haces aca jajajaj mentira

[@acidtitan1827]

lol PLAYSTATIONNNTTHHHHREEEEEE!

[@ohmybreadsticks]

That's not good.