Diablo Wiki - User contributions [en]

Chris Metzen

2019-08-26T18:32:03Z

Morejahhead:

[[Image:Metzen.jpg|left|thumb|Chris Metzen.]]'''Chris Vincent Metzen''' is the Vice President of Creative Development at [[Blizzard Entertainment]]. He is a one of the primary forces behind the story and creative direction of all Blizzard products.

Chris started as an artist at Blizzard back in the mid-1990s, and contributed a number of pieces of concept art to the [[WarCraft II]] manual, the [[Diablo I manual]] as well as the [[StarCraft]] manual. His art has remained integral to creating Blizzard's game worlds, though he works more on the story and content end of things these days.

Chris announced that he was retiring from Blizzard Entertainment on 12 September 2016.<ref>[http://www.diabloii.net/blog/comments/chris-metzen-retires-blizzard Chris Metzen to retire] - Blizzard Entertainment, 12/09/2016</ref>

==Personal==
Chris is one of the Blizzard artists profiled on the Sons of the Storm website, and the following is [http://sonsofthestorm.com/profile_metzen.html excerpted from his profile] on that site:

<blockquote>
'''Inspirational Artists''' 
Walter Simonson, Larry Elmore, Alex Ross, Jim Lee, Keith Parkinson.
 
'''Top Five Movies''' 
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Star Wars, Braveheart, Ben Hur, Highlander (original)
 
[[File:Chris-metzen-jace-hall-show.jpg|thumb|300px|Chris on the Jace Hall show.]]
'''Favorite Books''' 
The Dragonlance Chronicles (Weis and Hickman) 
The Sandman Series (Neil Gaiman) and yes, it IS literature! 
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Series (Douglas Adams) 
The Stand (Stephen King) 
American Gods (Neil Gaiman)
 
'''Define your style of art''' 
I think I've always taken a comic-type approach to fantasy and sci-fi. I was heavily influenced by both Walt Simonson's and Jim Lee's pencilling styles for form, but I preferred the costuming, themes and general feel of Elmore and Parkinson's fantasy paintings. Still kind of working on the whole 'art style' thing...
 
At this point, I just use as much pencil lead on a page as I possibly can and hope the piece turns out!!! :)
 
'''Where do you do most of your work?''' 
Any flat surface will do.
 
'''What are your favorite things to create?''' 
Heroes and Villains. Monsters and mechanical designs are fun - but I dig drawing specific characters with specific stories related to them.
 
'''What tools do you use to create your artwork?''' 
Usually just a good handful of mechanical #2 pencils and a few compressed shading sticks. I'm a big fan of colored pencils as well, but it's been awhile since I've gone that route. Photoshop's killer for finishing touches and such, but I prefer a good old fashioned pencil as opposed to pure digital art.
</blockquote>

==Artwork==
Chris' profile on Sons of the Storm showcases his work on Starcraft, Warcraft, Diablo, and has a great deal of personal artwork as well. Some samples of his concept art for Diablo I are archived in the Image Gallery:
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2092 The three prime evils].
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2094&cat=557 Izual's defeat].
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2093&cat=557 The madness of King Leoric].
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2095&nocache=1 Horadric Mage concept art].
* [http://www.diii.net/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=2096&cat=557 Prince Albrecht's fate].

{{Game navbox|d3}}

=References=


<references/>


[[category:D3 Team]]
[[Category:Blizzard]]

== External Links ==
* [https://twitter.com/chrismetzen?lang=en Chris Metzen]on Twitter
* [https://www.facebook.com/people/Chris-Metzen/100000643821367 Chris Metzen]on Facebook
* [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1068321/ Chris Metzen]at IMDb
* [https://rawg.io/creators/chris-metzen Chris Metzen]at RAWG.io

Mike Nicholson

2019-06-18T09:56:12Z

Morejahhead: /* Game Credits/Experience */

'''Michael (Mike) Nicholson''' is a Senior Artist for [[Diablo III]]. Mike is known as the "UI guy," and he's worked extensively on the game [[interface]], [[inventory]], [[icons]], and other related tasks. Mike got his start in the gaming industry by simply replying to an ad for a fantasy artist (the company that posted the ad was likely DreamForge, though this is speculation based on the fact that his earliest game credit appears on ''Menzoberranzen''). Mike has worked on the UI (user interface) for every game that he has worked on.<ref>[http://forums.goha.ru/showthread.php?t=43071 Interview with Mike Nicholson by Vanguard fan site Silky Venom]. 2005.</ref>

==Background==
[[Image:Diableard-Mike Nicholson.jpg |thumb |right |370px |Michael (Mike) Nicholson's [[Diableard]].]]
Mike graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1988, where he studied Commercial Art.

Mike has worked at a number of different game companies and has pretty much done the entire spectrum of activities associated with game design.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikenart Linked-in profile for Mike Nicholson].</ref> He spent about 7 years working with DreamForge on multiple award-winning role-playing and strategy PC games. Since the dissolution of DreamForge in 2000, he has picked up a great deal of experience with a number of well-known game companies such as Sony Computer Entertainment, Monolith, and Sigil Games Online.

While at Sigil Games, Mike had the unique opportunity to work with an artist he had admired greatly - [http://www.keithparkinson.com/main.php Keith Parkinson]. Keith, a legend in the fantasy art realm, was Art Director for ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes''.

Mike joined [[Blizzard Entertainment |Blizzard]] in October 2006 and now works as a Senior Artist/Interface Designer on Diablo III.

===Interviews===
Mike talked with [[Bashiok]] a bit about his career during Blizzcast #8.<ref>[http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcast-8-live-with-diablo-iii-goodies Blizzcast #8]. 2009-03-30.</ref>

::'''Bashiok: '''Mike Nicholson who is a new face and voice to those following Diablo III, what do you do on the team?

::'''Mike: '''I'm a Senior Artist and I’m in charge of all the interface. Also known as "The UI Guy".

::'''Bashiok: '''So Mike, actually I wanted to touch on something you did in the past. I was at your office a few weeks ago and found out you were Lead Designer and Lead Art on a game which was near and dear to me which was called Sanitarium. Without going into it too much, that was a point and click adventure game, so how did you get from that to working here at Blizzard?

::'''Mike:''' Well, I’m glad you liked it, I’m proud of that game. Well the thing was when we did Sanitarium unfortunately even though it was well received, everyone who played it liked it, not that many people played it. Well eventually they did. We kind of got there as the party was going out...

::'''Bashiok:''' For point and click adventures...

::'''Mike:''' So, you know you kind of take a look around and go well I guess I need to get back into art. Came out to California and started doing 3D environments and kind of worked all the way back up to interface, where I’m back to doing 2D art again.

===Artwork===
Mike maintains a [http://sites.google.com/site/mikenart/ personal website].<ref>[http://sites.google.com/site/mikenart/ Mike Nicholson's personal website].</ref> There, you can see numerous, stunning examples of his art. Many pieces (from both games and otherwise) are featured in his gallery. On display are beautiful, colored samples from the ''World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game (WoW:TCG)'', concept art for various games, original ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'' item lore '''and''' item artwork, personal artwork, as well as examples of interface design.

===Diablo III Poker Set===
Mike was one of the key members responsible for designing the [[Blizzcon 2010]] Diablo III exclusive poker set. In a DirecTV special segment during the Blizzcon 2010 event, he explained to viewers the design decisions that went into making the cards and poker chips.<ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-iii-poker-set/ Diablo III Poker Set]. 2010-10-30.</ref>

==Game Credits/Experience==
*2010 - ''Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty'', [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]]; '''Battle.net Team, Additional Art'''
*2007 - The Shield, ''Point of View''; '''Artist'''<ref>https://rawg.io/creators/michael-nicholson</ref>
*2007 - ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'', Sigil Games Online; '''Senior Artist/UI Designer'''
*2006 - ''Condemned'', Monolith Productions; '''UI Concept Designer'''
*2005 - ''The Matrix Online'', Monolith Productions; '''Art Director'''
*2005 - ''God of War'', Sony Computer Entertainment Studios: Santa Monica; '''Additional Artist'''
*2004 - ''Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel'', Interplay Entertainment; '''Special Thanks'''
*2004 - ''Trigger Man'', Point of View; '''Artist'''
*2003 - ''Run Like Hell'', Interplay Productions; '''Art, Additional Design'''
*2001 - ''Giants: Citizen Kabuto'', Interplay Productions; '''Artist'''
*1999 - ''Warhammer 40k : Rites of War'', DreamForge; '''Lead Artist, 2D Art Team'''
*1998 - ''Sanitarium'', DreamForge; '''Lead Designer, Additional Graphics/Artwork, 3D Art, Writing/Dialogue/Story, Storyboarding'''
*1997 - ''War Wind II: Human Onslaught'', DreamForge; '''Artist'''
*1996 - ''War Wind'', DreamForge; '''Graphics/Artwork'''
*1995 - ''Anvil of Dawn'', DreamForge; '''Artist, Rule Book Illustrations'''
*1995 - ''Chronomaster'', DreamForge; '''Lead Artist, Cover Art'''
*1995 - ''Ravenloft: Stone Prophet'', DreamForge; '''Graphics/Artwork'''
*1994 - ''Menzoberranzen'', DreamForge; '''Artist'''

==Media==
<gallery>
File:Diableard-Mike Nicholson.jpg |Michael (Mike) Nicholson's Diableard.
File:Mike-Nicholson-Blizzcon2010-1.png |Mike Nicholson at Blizzcon 2010, talking about the UI.
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

{{Game navbox|d3}}

[[category:D3 Team]]
[[category:Blizzard]]

Mike Nicholson

2019-06-18T09:54:28Z

Morejahhead: /* Game Credits/Experience */

'''Michael (Mike) Nicholson''' is a Senior Artist for [[Diablo III]]. Mike is known as the "UI guy," and he's worked extensively on the game [[interface]], [[inventory]], [[icons]], and other related tasks. Mike got his start in the gaming industry by simply replying to an ad for a fantasy artist (the company that posted the ad was likely DreamForge, though this is speculation based on the fact that his earliest game credit appears on ''Menzoberranzen''). Mike has worked on the UI (user interface) for every game that he has worked on.<ref>[http://forums.goha.ru/showthread.php?t=43071 Interview with Mike Nicholson by Vanguard fan site Silky Venom]. 2005.</ref>

==Background==
[[Image:Diableard-Mike Nicholson.jpg |thumb |right |370px |Michael (Mike) Nicholson's [[Diableard]].]]
Mike graduated from The Art Institute of Pittsburgh in 1988, where he studied Commercial Art.

Mike has worked at a number of different game companies and has pretty much done the entire spectrum of activities associated with game design.<ref>[http://www.linkedin.com/in/mikenart Linked-in profile for Mike Nicholson].</ref> He spent about 7 years working with DreamForge on multiple award-winning role-playing and strategy PC games. Since the dissolution of DreamForge in 2000, he has picked up a great deal of experience with a number of well-known game companies such as Sony Computer Entertainment, Monolith, and Sigil Games Online.

While at Sigil Games, Mike had the unique opportunity to work with an artist he had admired greatly - [http://www.keithparkinson.com/main.php Keith Parkinson]. Keith, a legend in the fantasy art realm, was Art Director for ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes''.

Mike joined [[Blizzard Entertainment |Blizzard]] in October 2006 and now works as a Senior Artist/Interface Designer on Diablo III.

===Interviews===
Mike talked with [[Bashiok]] a bit about his career during Blizzcast #8.<ref>[http://www.diii.net/blog/comments/blizzcast-8-live-with-diablo-iii-goodies Blizzcast #8]. 2009-03-30.</ref>

::'''Bashiok: '''Mike Nicholson who is a new face and voice to those following Diablo III, what do you do on the team?

::'''Mike: '''I'm a Senior Artist and I’m in charge of all the interface. Also known as "The UI Guy".

::'''Bashiok: '''So Mike, actually I wanted to touch on something you did in the past. I was at your office a few weeks ago and found out you were Lead Designer and Lead Art on a game which was near and dear to me which was called Sanitarium. Without going into it too much, that was a point and click adventure game, so how did you get from that to working here at Blizzard?

::'''Mike:''' Well, I’m glad you liked it, I’m proud of that game. Well the thing was when we did Sanitarium unfortunately even though it was well received, everyone who played it liked it, not that many people played it. Well eventually they did. We kind of got there as the party was going out...

::'''Bashiok:''' For point and click adventures...

::'''Mike:''' So, you know you kind of take a look around and go well I guess I need to get back into art. Came out to California and started doing 3D environments and kind of worked all the way back up to interface, where I’m back to doing 2D art again.

===Artwork===
Mike maintains a [http://sites.google.com/site/mikenart/ personal website].<ref>[http://sites.google.com/site/mikenart/ Mike Nicholson's personal website].</ref> There, you can see numerous, stunning examples of his art. Many pieces (from both games and otherwise) are featured in his gallery. On display are beautiful, colored samples from the ''World of Warcraft: Trading Card Game (WoW:TCG)'', concept art for various games, original ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'' item lore '''and''' item artwork, personal artwork, as well as examples of interface design.

===Diablo III Poker Set===
Mike was one of the key members responsible for designing the [[Blizzcon 2010]] Diablo III exclusive poker set. In a DirecTV special segment during the Blizzcon 2010 event, he explained to viewers the design decisions that went into making the cards and poker chips.<ref>[http://diablo.incgamers.com/blog/comments/diablo-iii-poker-set/ Diablo III Poker Set]. 2010-10-30.</ref>

==Game Credits/Experience==
*2010 - ''Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty'', [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]]; '''Battle.net Team, Additional Art'''
*2007 - The Shield, ''Point of View''; '''Artist'''
*2007 - ''Vanguard: Saga of Heroes'', Sigil Games Online; '''Senior Artist/UI Designer'''
*2006 - ''Condemned'', Monolith Productions; '''UI Concept Designer'''
*2005 - ''The Matrix Online'', Monolith Productions; '''Art Director'''
*2005 - ''God of War'', Sony Computer Entertainment Studios: Santa Monica; '''Additional Artist'''
*2004 - ''Fallout: Brotherhood of Steel'', Interplay Entertainment; '''Special Thanks'''
*2004 - ''Trigger Man'', Point of View; '''Artist'''
*2003 - ''Run Like Hell'', Interplay Productions; '''Art, Additional Design'''
*2001 - ''Giants: Citizen Kabuto'', Interplay Productions; '''Artist'''
*1999 - ''Warhammer 40k : Rites of War'', DreamForge; '''Lead Artist, 2D Art Team'''
*1998 - ''Sanitarium'', DreamForge; '''Lead Designer, Additional Graphics/Artwork, 3D Art, Writing/Dialogue/Story, Storyboarding'''
*1997 - ''War Wind II: Human Onslaught'', DreamForge; '''Artist'''
*1996 - ''War Wind'', DreamForge; '''Graphics/Artwork'''
*1995 - ''Anvil of Dawn'', DreamForge; '''Artist, Rule Book Illustrations'''
*1995 - ''Chronomaster'', DreamForge; '''Lead Artist, Cover Art'''
*1995 - ''Ravenloft: Stone Prophet'', DreamForge; '''Graphics/Artwork'''
*1994 - ''Menzoberranzen'', DreamForge; '''Artist'''

==Media==
<gallery>
File:Diableard-Mike Nicholson.jpg |Michael (Mike) Nicholson's Diableard.
File:Mike-Nicholson-Blizzcon2010-1.png |Mike Nicholson at Blizzcon 2010, talking about the UI.
</gallery>

==References==
<references />

{{Game navbox|d3}}

[[category:D3 Team]]
[[category:Blizzard]]