Mike Nicholson

Mike Nicholson is a Senior Artist on 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 talked a bit about his career during Blizzcast #8. [1]

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.