Richard Garfield

Richard Garfield
Richard Garfield at Spiel 2014
Born	Richard Channing Garfield (1963-06-26) June 26, 1963 (age 53) Philadelphia
Alma mater	University of Pennsylvania
Occupation	game designer, professor
Known for	Magic: the Gathering, Netrunner
Website	http://www.threedonkeys.com

Richard Channing Garfield (born June 26, 1963) is an American game designer. Garfield created Magic: The Gathering, which is considered to be the first modern collectible card game (CCG). Magic debuted in 1993, and its success spawned many imitations. Garfield oversaw the successful growth of Magic and followed it with other game designs. Garfield also designed the LCG (Living Card Game) Netrunner, as well as BattleTech, Vampire: The Eternal Struggle (originally known as Jyhad), Star Wars Trading Card Game, the card game The Great Dalmuti, and the board game RoboRally. He also created a variation of the card game Hearts called Complex Hearts. Garfield first became passionate about games when he played the roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons, so he designed Magic decks to be customizable like roleplaying characters. Garfield and Magic are in the Adventure Gaming Hall of Fame.

Garfield was born in Philadelphia, and spent his childhood in many locations throughout the world as a result of his father's work in architecture. His family eventually settled in Oregon when he was twelve. Garfield is the great-great-grandson of U.S. President James A. Garfield, and his great-uncle invented the paper clip. He is also the nephew of Fay Jones, who, already an established artist, illustrated one Magic card for him.