Jump to content

Elan Lee: Difference between revisions

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →External links: add category
m merging duplicate refs
 
(16 intermediate revisions by 8 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|American game designer}}
{{short description|American game designer}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = Elan Lee
| name = Elan Lee
| image = Elan lee 05 on white 0592-2.jpg
| image = Elan lee 05 on white 0592-2.jpg
| caption = Game designer
| caption = Game designer
| birth_date =
| birth_date = January 26, 1975
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| alma_mater = [[Rochester Institute of Technology]]<ref>[https://www.rit.edu/alumni/notable-alumni Notable Alumni]. Rochester Institute of Technology</ref>
| alma_mater = [[Rochester Institute of Technology]]<ref>[https://www.rit.edu/alumni/notable-alumni Notable Alumni]. Rochester Institute of Technology</ref>
| occupation = Game Designer
| occupation = Game Designer
| influences =
| influences =
| influenced =
| influenced =
| spouse = Ramona Pringle
}}
}}
'''Elan Lee''' is an American game designer, developer and creator. He has designed games for the [[Xbox]], helped create the world’s first [[Alternate Reality Games]], and in collaboration with [[Matthew Inman]], Elan built the card game '[[Exploding Kittens]]', the most-backed (by number of backers) [[Kickstarter]] campaign in history at the time of release, and founded the [[Exploding Kittens]] company in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?sort=most_backed&seed=2560321&page=1|title=Discover » Most Backed — Kickstarter|website=www.kickstarter.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref>
'''Elan Lee''' is an American game designer, developer, and creator. He has designed games for the [[Xbox]]; helped create the world’s first [[Alternate Reality Games]]; and with [[Matthew Inman]] created the card game ''[[Exploding Kittens]]'', whose [[Kickstarter]] campaign was the most-backed of its day. He and Inman founded the [[Exploding Kittens]] company in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/discover/advanced?sort=most_backed&seed=2560321&page=1|title=Discover » Most Backed — Kickstarter|website=www.kickstarter.com|language=en|access-date=2018-09-06}}</ref>


==Biography==
==Biography==
Lee began his career as a character designer at [[Industrial Light and Magic]], where he worked on several motion pictures including the computer special effects for [[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]. Lee was then hired by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] as Lead Game Designer, designing and directing games for PC and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. While working for Microsoft he was the Executive Producer and Lead Designer for ''[[The Beast (game)|The Beast]]'', one of the world’s first [[Alternate Reality Games]] (ARGs) used to promoted the [[Steven Spielberg]] film [[A.I. Artificial Intelligence]].<ref name="usat_Thei">{{Cite web
Lee began his career as a character designer at [[Industrial Light and Magic]], where he worked on several movies, including the computer special effects for [[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]. Lee was then hired by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] as Lead Game Designer, designing and directing games for PC and [[Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. While working for Microsoft, he was the Executive Producer and Lead Designer for ''[[The Beast (game)|The Beast]]'', one of the world’s first [[Alternate Reality Games]] (ARGs) used to promoted the [[Steven Spielberg]] film [[A.I. Artificial Intelligence]].<ref name="usat_Thei">{{Cite web
| title = The intricate plot behind 'A.I.' Web mystery
| title = The intricate plot behind 'A.I.' Web mystery
| last = Kornblum | first = Janet
| last = Kornblum | first = Janet
| work = USA Today
| work = USA Today
| date = 28 June 2001
| date = 28 June 2001
| accessdate = 2015-03-04
| access-date = 2015-03-04
| url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/2001-06-22-ai-plot.htm
| url = http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/2001-06-22-ai-plot.htm
| language =
| language =
Line 27: Line 28:
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


Lee has co-founded several start-ups all within the gaming arena. In 2003 he co-founded [[42 Entertainment]], a design company in the field of alternate reality games (ARGs). 42 has created multiple ARGs, including, ''[[I Love Bees]]'' to promote the Xbox game ''[[Halo 2]]'', and [[Year Zero (game)|''Year Zero'']], to promote the Nine Inch Nails album ''[[Year Zero (album)|Year Zero]]''. He later he co-founded (with Dawne Weisman) EDOC Laundry, a company designed to produce ARGs using clothes as the primary platform. Consumers deciphered codes hidden within garments and entered the results into the game's main website to reveal pieces of a distributed story.
Lee has co-founded several gaming start-ups. In 2003, he co-founded [[42 Entertainment]], whose alternate reality games include ''[[I Love Bees]]'' to promote the Xbox game ''[[Halo 2]]'' and [[Year Zero (game)|''Year Zero'']] to promote the Nine Inch Nails album ''[[Year Zero (album)|Year Zero]]''. He, Shane Small, and Dawne Weisman later co-founded EDOC Laundry<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Krotoski |first=Aleks |date=2006-03-15 |title=edoc Laundry interview |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/gamesblog/2006/mar/15/edoclaundryin |access-date=2024-09-28 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> to produce ARGs using clothes as the primary platform. Consumers deciphered codes hidden within garments and entered the results into the game's main website to reveal pieces of a distributed story. EDOC laundry is the world's first interactive apparel line.<ref name=":1" />


In 2007, Lee founded [[Fourth Wall Studios]], an entertainment studio aiming to develop and publish entertainment experiences of varying scopes. Lee developed a new form of interactive programming that engaged audiences across multiple platforms via new technology he created. Projects such as the [[Emmy Award]]-winning series “[[Dirty Work (TV series)|Dirty Work]]” brought viewers into the show with interactive elements such as “integrated phone calls, texts and emails” as part of the viewing experience.<ref name="forb_Game">{{Cite web
In 2007, Lee founded [[Fourth Wall Studios]] to create entertainment experiences. Lee developed a new form of interactive programming that engaged audiences across multiple platforms via new technology he created. Projects such as the [[Emmy Award]]-winning series “[[Dirty Work (TV series)|Dirty Work]]” brought viewers into the show with interactive elements such as “integrated phone calls, texts and emails” as part of the viewing experience.<ref name="forb_Game">{{Cite web
| title = Games That Use The 'Ubernet'
| title = Games That Use The 'Ubernet'
| last = Caulfield | first = Brian
| last = Caulfield | first = Brian
| work = Forbes
| work = Forbes
| date = 1 April 2009
| date = 1 April 2009
| accessdate = 2015-03-04
| access-date = 2015-03-04
| url = https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/ubernet-videogames-internet-technology-personal-tech-ubernet.html
| url = https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/01/ubernet-videogames-internet-technology-personal-tech-ubernet.html
| quote =
| quote =
}}</ref>
}}</ref>


In addition to his work in interactive media, Lee helped create one of YouTube's most viral videos, ''[[Where the Hell is Matt?]]''. He traveled the world with [[Matt Harding]], serving as the cameraman for a video that became the second-most popular on [[YouTube]] at the time, cementing its place in internet history.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Hall |first=Charlie |date=2015-01-23 |title=$3.5 million for a card game? We talk with Exploding Kittens co-creator (correction) |url=https://www.polygon.com/2015/1/23/7879259/the-oatmeal-kickstarter-exploding-kittens |access-date=2024-09-28 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref> This project not only provided Lee with valuable experience in social media and viral content creation, but it also led to his introduction to [[Matthew Inman]], with whom he would later co-found the popular card game ''[[Exploding Kittens]]''.<ref name=":2" />
Elan returned to Microsoft as the Chief Design Officer for [[Xbox Entertainment Studios]] soon after the launch of the Xbox One game console in 2013. By 2014, Elan left Microsoft with the plan to build a new technology-based TV studio and went as far as building a prototype, building a team and successfully raised about $5 million for his new endeavor.<ref name="dead_Elan">{{Cite web

Lee returned to Microsoft as the Chief Design Officer for [[Xbox Entertainment Studios]] soon after the launch of the Xbox One game console in 2013.

By 2014, Lee had left Microsoft to build a new technology-based TV studio; he raised about $5 million, assembled a team, and built a prototype.<ref name="dead_Elan">{{Cite web
| title = Elan Lee Named Chief Design Officer For Nancy Tellem's Xbox Entertainment Studios
| title = Elan Lee Named Chief Design Officer For Nancy Tellem's Xbox Entertainment Studios
| last = The Deadline Team
| last = The Deadline Team
| work = Deadline Hollywood
| work = Deadline Hollywood
| date = 2013-06-20
| date = 2013-06-20
| accessdate = 2015-03-04
| access-date = 2015-03-04
| url = https://deadline.com/2013/06/elan-lee-named-cxhief-design-officer-for-nancy-tellems-xbox-entertainment-studios-525889/
| url = https://deadline.com/2013/06/elan-lee-named-cxhief-design-officer-for-nancy-tellems-xbox-entertainment-studios-525889/
| quote =
| quote =
Line 51: Line 56:
== Exploding Kittens ==
== Exploding Kittens ==


In 2015 Elan Lee partnered with Matthew Inman ([[The Oatmeal]]) and Shane Small to create the card game '[[Exploding Kittens]]', funded on [[Kickstarter]]. ‘Exploding Kittens’ (originally called ‘Bomb Squad’) became the most-backed campaign on Kickstarter at the time, with 219,382 backers and a total of $8.78 million. Elan said, “When ‘Exploding Kittens’ launched, I thought it would be a side project on the weekend. It’s so weird when the side project dwarfs the scope and scale of the main project. And so I decided to return the money I raised. I realized that if I didn’t turn all my attention to this, it would become the biggest regret of my life.”<ref>http://explodingkittens.com/#what</ref>
In 2015, Lee, Matthew Inman ([[The Oatmeal]]), and Shane Small created the card game ''[[Exploding Kittens]]''. Originally called ''Bomb Squad'', it became the most-backed campaign on [[Kickstarter]] at the time, raising $8.78 million from 219,382 backers. “When ''Exploding Kittens'' launched, I thought it would be a side project on the weekend. It’s so weird when the side project dwarfs the scope and scale of the main project. And so I decided to return the money I raised [$5 million for the "main" project, a "technology-based TV studio"]. I realized that if I didn’t turn all my attention to this, it would become the biggest regret of my life.”<ref>{{Cite web |last=Erlichman |first=Jon |date=2015-02-20 |title=How ‘Exploding Kittens’ became the most insane Kickstarter campaign ever |url=https://medium.com/@JonErlichman/how-exploding-kittens-became-the-most-insane-kickstarter-campaign-ever-8302d9581b0d |access-date=2023-09-12 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref>


Also in 2015, thanks to the success of the ''Exploding Kittens'' game, Lee and Inman founded the company Exploding Kittens Inc.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/l-a-based-tabletop-game-company-exploding-kittens-wants-you-to-throw-foam-burritos-at-your-friends-and-family|title=L.A.-based tabletop game company Exploding Kittens wants you to throw (foam) burritos at your friends and family|date=2019-04-11|website=Daily News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tabletopwire.com/exploding-kittens-takes-30m-investment-for-growth-new-games/|title=Exploding Kittens Takes $30M Investment For Growth, New Games|last=Editor|website=Tabletop Wire|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> Following another effective Kickstarter campaign (over $3m from 85,000 backers), the company released its second tabletop game, ''[[Bears vs. Babies]]'', in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/exploding-kittens-kickstarter-card-game|title=Exploding Kittens is the most-backed project on Kickstarter to date — here's how a $20 card game became an internet phenomenon|last=Chen|first=Connie|date=|website=[[Business Insider]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.evilasahobby.com/blog/the-top-10-most-funded-kickstarter-board-games-of-all-time/|title=The Top 10 Most Funded Kickstarter Board Games of All Time|last=Bergstrom|first=Frank|date=2017-05-16|website=Evil As a Hobby|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>
Later in the year, Lee and Inman founded Exploding Kittens Inc.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailynews.com/l-a-based-tabletop-game-company-exploding-kittens-wants-you-to-throw-foam-burritos-at-your-friends-and-family|title=L.A.-based tabletop game company Exploding Kittens wants you to throw (foam) burritos at your friends and family|date=2019-04-11|website=Daily News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> The company released its second tabletop game, ''[[Bears vs. Babies]]'', in 2017, after raising more than $3 million from 85,000 Kickstarter backers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/exploding-kittens-kickstarter-card-game|title=Exploding Kittens is the most-backed project on Kickstarter to date — here's how a $20 card game became an internet phenomenon|last=Chen|first=Connie|date=|website=[[Business Insider]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321073856/https://www.businessinsider.com/exploding-kittens-kickstarter-card-game |archive-date=2019-03-21 |access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.evilasahobby.com/blog/the-top-10-most-funded-kickstarter-board-games-of-all-time/|title=The Top 10 Most Funded Kickstarter Board Games of All Time|last=Bergstrom|first=Frank|date=2017-05-16|website=Evil As a Hobby|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>


Exploding Kittens Inc. went on to produce another game in 2018 – ''You’ve Got Crabs''.<ref name=":0" /> 2019 saw two new releases – ''[[Throw Throw Burrito]]'' and ''On a Scale of One to T-Rex''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elanlee/throw-throw-burrito|title=Throw Throw Burrito|website=Kickstarter|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/27/throw-throw-burrito-is-a-card-game-that-weaponizes-mexican-food/|title=Throw Throw Burrito is a card game that weaponizes Mexican food|last=|first=|date=2019-02-28|website=[[VentureBeat]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref> The former was again funded through Kickstarter, while the latter was an Amazon-exclusive release.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamingtrend.com/news/exploding-kittens-creators-announce-on-a-scale-of-one-to-t-rex-a-game-for-people-bad-at-charades/|title=Exploding Kittens creators announce On a Scale of One to T-Rex, a game for people bad at charades|last=Anthony|first=Sean|date=2019-09-12|website=GAMING TREND|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dicetowernews.com/node/5756|title=On a Scale of One to T-Rex, a hilarious new party game from Wolfgang Warsch|last=|first=|date=|website=Dice Tower News|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>
In 2018, the company released ''You’ve Got Crabs'';<ref name=":0" /> in 2019, it released ''[[Throw Throw Burrito]]'' after another Kickstarter campaign and ''On a Scale of One to T-Rex'' exclusively on [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/elanlee/throw-throw-burrito|title=Throw Throw Burrito|website=Kickstarter|language=en|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/27/throw-throw-burrito-is-a-card-game-that-weaponizes-mexican-food/|title=Throw Throw Burrito is a card game that weaponizes Mexican food|last=|first=|date=2019-02-28|website=[[VentureBeat]]|language=en-US|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191211194329/https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/27/throw-throw-burrito-is-a-card-game-that-weaponizes-mexican-food/ |archive-date=2019-12-11 |access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gamingtrend.com/news/exploding-kittens-creators-announce-on-a-scale-of-one-to-t-rex-a-game-for-people-bad-at-charades/|title=Exploding Kittens creators announce On a Scale of One to T-Rex, a game for people bad at charades|last=Anthony|first=Sean|date=2019-09-12|website=GAMING TREND|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dicetowernews.com/node/5756|title=On a Scale of One to T-Rex, a hilarious new party game from Wolfgang Warsch|last=|first=|date=|website=Dice Tower News|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229142624/https://www.dicetowernews.com/node/5756 |archive-date=2019-12-29 |access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>


In October 2019, the American businessman and investor [[Peter Chernin]], CEO of [[Peter Chernin|The Chernin Group]] (TCG), announced a $30 million investment into Exploding Kittens Inc. This gives TCG a minority stake in the company. According to Matthew Inman, the company plans to use the funds for its first live gaming convention Burning Cat, inspired by the [[Burning Man|Burning Man festival]], as well as investing into hiring more artists in order to increase production from one game a year to between three and five.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/11/exploding-kittens-game-gets-30-million-investment/|title=Exploding Kittens Laps Up $30 Million Investment|last=|first=|date=|website=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]]|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/exploding-kittens-peter-chernin-tcg-capital-1203365861/|title=Exploding Kittens Raises $30 Million From Peter Chernin’s TCG Capital|last=Spangler|first=Todd|last2=|first2=|date=2019-10-10|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>
In October 2019, the American businessman and investor [[Peter Chernin]], CEO of [[Peter Chernin|The Chernin Group]], invested $30 million for a minority stake in Exploding Kittens Inc. Inman said the company planned to use the funds to mount a live gaming convention, Burning Cat, inspired by the [[Burning Man|Burning Man festival]]; hire more artists; and produce three and five new games a year.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/11/exploding-kittens-game-gets-30-million-investment/|title=Exploding Kittens Laps Up $30 Million Investment|last=|first=|date=11 October 2019|website=[[Los Angeles Business Journal]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219202827/https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/11/exploding-kittens-game-gets-30-million-investment/ |archive-date=2019-12-19 |access-date=2019-12-29|last1=Uranga |first1=Rachel }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/exploding-kittens-peter-chernin-tcg-capital-1203365861/|title=Exploding Kittens Raises $30 Million From Peter Chernin's TCG Capital|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=2019-10-10|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|language=en|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191010142336/https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/exploding-kittens-peter-chernin-tcg-capital-1203365861/ |archive-date=2019-10-10 |access-date=2019-12-29}}</ref>


==Credits==
==Credits==
Line 74: Line 79:
Lee and his projects have won several industry awards for both design and marketing.
Lee and his projects have won several industry awards for both design and marketing.


In 2005 ''I Love Bees'' won an Innovation Award from [[International Game Developers Association|IGDA]], and a [[Webby Award]].{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}
In 2005, ''I Love Bees'' won an Innovation Award from [[International Game Developers Association|IGDA]], and a [[Webby Award]].{{citation needed|date=November 2014}}


In 2008 ''Year Zero'' won the [[Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity]] Grand Prix Award for "Viral Marketing"<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_1_1_01026.htm |title=2008 Cannes Lions Grand Prix Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210104040/http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_1_1_01026.htm |archive-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> as well as a Silver Award for "Integrated Campaign".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_3_2_01024.htm |title=2008 Cannes Lions Silver Award Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210104047/http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_3_2_01024.htm |archive-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
In 2008, ''Year Zero'' won the [[Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity]] Grand Prix Award for "Viral Marketing"<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_1_1_01026.htm |title=2008 Cannes Lions Grand Prix Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210104040/http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_1_1_01026.htm |archive-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and a Silver Award for "Integrated Campaign".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_3_2_01024.htm |title=2008 Cannes Lions Silver Award Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210104047/http://www.canneslions.com/winners/cyber/win_3_2_01024.htm |archive-date=2012-02-10 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
The game also won a bronze [[Clio Awards|Clio Award]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.clioawards.com/winners/index.cfm?medium_id=8&award_id=4&search=1 |title=2008 Clio Award Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023022339/http://www.clioawards.com/winners/index.cfm?medium_id=8&award_id=4&search=1 |archive-date=2007-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and two Webbys: Peoples Voice Award (Branded Content)<ref name="2008 Webby Award Winners">{{Cite web |url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=98 |title=2008 Webby Award Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621044459/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=98 |archive-date=2008-06-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Peoples Voice Award (Integrated Campaigns).<ref name="2008 Webby Award Winners"/>
The game also won a bronze [[Clio Awards|Clio Award]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.clioawards.com/winners/index.cfm?medium_id=8&award_id=4&search=1 |title=2008 Clio Award Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023022339/http://www.clioawards.com/winners/index.cfm?medium_id=8&award_id=4&search=1 |archive-date=2007-10-23 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and two Webbys: Peoples Voice Award (Branded Content)<ref name="2008 Webby Award Winners">{{Cite web |url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=98 |title=2008 Webby Award Winners |access-date=2008-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080621044459/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=98 |archive-date=2008-06-21 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and Peoples Voice Award (Integrated Campaigns).<ref name="2008 Webby Award Winners"/>


In 2012 Lee won a [[Creative Arts Emmy Award|Creative Arts Emmy]] for Original Interactive Programming for the web series ''[[Dirty Work (TV series)|Dirty Work]]''.<ref>[http://www.emmys.com/shows/dirty-work Dirty Work]</ref> The same year he won the Trailblazer Award from [[IndieCade]].<ref name="Eurogamer: IndieCade 2012 winners">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-12-indiecade-2012-winners-announced-unmanned-takes-the-top-prize |accessdate=February 28, 2016 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |title=IndieCade 2012 winners announced, Unmanned takes the top prize |last1=Matulef |first1=Jeffrey |date=October 12, 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228143330/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-12-indiecade-2012-winners-announced-unmanned-takes-the-top-prize |archivedate=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2012, Lee won a [[Creative Arts Emmy Award|Creative Arts Emmy]] for Original Interactive Programming for the web series ''[[Dirty Work (TV series)|Dirty Work]]''.<ref>[http://www.emmys.com/shows/dirty-work Dirty Work]</ref> The same year he won the Trailblazer Award from [[IndieCade]].<ref name="Eurogamer: IndieCade 2012 winners">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-12-indiecade-2012-winners-announced-unmanned-takes-the-top-prize |access-date=February 28, 2016 |work=[[Eurogamer]] |title=IndieCade 2012 winners announced, Unmanned takes the top prize |last1=Matulef |first1=Jeffrey |date=October 12, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228143330/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-10-12-indiecade-2012-winners-announced-unmanned-takes-the-top-prize |archive-date=February 28, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In March 2022, ''The Beast'' received a Legacy [[Peabody Award]] for Interactive Journalism.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://peabodyawards.com/thebeast/ |title=2022 Peabody Winners, The Beast, A.I. Transmedia Experience |access-date=2022-02-28}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 14:33, 10 October 2024

Elan Lee
Game designer
Game designer
BornJanuary 26, 1975
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationGame Designer
Alma materRochester Institute of Technology[1]
SpouseRamona Pringle

Elan Lee is an American game designer, developer, and creator. He has designed games for the Xbox; helped create the world’s first Alternate Reality Games; and with Matthew Inman created the card game Exploding Kittens, whose Kickstarter campaign was the most-backed of its day. He and Inman founded the Exploding Kittens company in 2015.[2]

Biography

[edit]

Lee began his career as a character designer at Industrial Light and Magic, where he worked on several movies, including the computer special effects for Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. Lee was then hired by Microsoft Game Studios as Lead Game Designer, designing and directing games for PC and Xbox. While working for Microsoft, he was the Executive Producer and Lead Designer for The Beast, one of the world’s first Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) used to promoted the Steven Spielberg film A.I. Artificial Intelligence.[3]

Lee has co-founded several gaming start-ups. In 2003, he co-founded 42 Entertainment, whose alternate reality games include I Love Bees to promote the Xbox game Halo 2 and Year Zero to promote the Nine Inch Nails album Year Zero. He, Shane Small, and Dawne Weisman later co-founded EDOC Laundry[4] to produce ARGs using clothes as the primary platform. Consumers deciphered codes hidden within garments and entered the results into the game's main website to reveal pieces of a distributed story. EDOC laundry is the world's first interactive apparel line.[4]

In 2007, Lee founded Fourth Wall Studios to create entertainment experiences. Lee developed a new form of interactive programming that engaged audiences across multiple platforms via new technology he created. Projects such as the Emmy Award-winning series “Dirty Work” brought viewers into the show with interactive elements such as “integrated phone calls, texts and emails” as part of the viewing experience.[5]

In addition to his work in interactive media, Lee helped create one of YouTube's most viral videos, Where the Hell is Matt?. He traveled the world with Matt Harding, serving as the cameraman for a video that became the second-most popular on YouTube at the time, cementing its place in internet history.[6] This project not only provided Lee with valuable experience in social media and viral content creation, but it also led to his introduction to Matthew Inman, with whom he would later co-found the popular card game Exploding Kittens.[6]

Lee returned to Microsoft as the Chief Design Officer for Xbox Entertainment Studios soon after the launch of the Xbox One game console in 2013.

By 2014, Lee had left Microsoft to build a new technology-based TV studio; he raised about $5 million, assembled a team, and built a prototype.[7]

Exploding Kittens

[edit]

In 2015, Lee, Matthew Inman (The Oatmeal), and Shane Small created the card game Exploding Kittens. Originally called Bomb Squad, it became the most-backed campaign on Kickstarter at the time, raising $8.78 million from 219,382 backers. “When Exploding Kittens launched, I thought it would be a side project on the weekend. It’s so weird when the side project dwarfs the scope and scale of the main project. And so I decided to return the money I raised [$5 million for the "main" project, a "technology-based TV studio"]. I realized that if I didn’t turn all my attention to this, it would become the biggest regret of my life.”[8]

Later in the year, Lee and Inman founded Exploding Kittens Inc.[9] The company released its second tabletop game, Bears vs. Babies, in 2017, after raising more than $3 million from 85,000 Kickstarter backers.[10][11]

In 2018, the company released You’ve Got Crabs;[9] in 2019, it released Throw Throw Burrito after another Kickstarter campaign and On a Scale of One to T-Rex exclusively on Amazon.[12][13][14][15]

In October 2019, the American businessman and investor Peter Chernin, CEO of The Chernin Group, invested $30 million for a minority stake in Exploding Kittens Inc. Inman said the company planned to use the funds to mount a live gaming convention, Burning Cat, inspired by the Burning Man festival; hire more artists; and produce three and five new games a year.[16][17]

Credits

[edit]

With Microsoft:

With 42 Entertainment:

  • I Love Bees Lead Designer (2004)
  • Last Call Poker Lead Designer (2005)
  • The Vanishing Point Lead Designer (2007)
  • Year Zero Designer (2007)

Acclaim

[edit]

Lee and his projects have won several industry awards for both design and marketing.

In 2005, I Love Bees won an Innovation Award from IGDA, and a Webby Award.[citation needed]

In 2008, Year Zero won the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity Grand Prix Award for "Viral Marketing"[18] and a Silver Award for "Integrated Campaign".[19] The game also won a bronze Clio Award,[20] and two Webbys: Peoples Voice Award (Branded Content)[21] and Peoples Voice Award (Integrated Campaigns).[21]

In 2012, Lee won a Creative Arts Emmy for Original Interactive Programming for the web series Dirty Work.[22] The same year he won the Trailblazer Award from IndieCade.[23]

In March 2022, The Beast received a Legacy Peabody Award for Interactive Journalism.[24]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Notable Alumni. Rochester Institute of Technology
  2. ^ "Discover » Most Backed — Kickstarter". www.kickstarter.com. Retrieved 2018-09-06.
  3. ^ Kornblum, Janet (28 June 2001). "The intricate plot behind 'A.I.' Web mystery". USA Today. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  4. ^ a b Krotoski, Aleks (2006-03-15). "edoc Laundry interview". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  5. ^ Caulfield, Brian (1 April 2009). "Games That Use The 'Ubernet'". Forbes. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  6. ^ a b Hall, Charlie (2015-01-23). "$3.5 million for a card game? We talk with Exploding Kittens co-creator (correction)". Polygon. Retrieved 2024-09-28.
  7. ^ The Deadline Team (2013-06-20). "Elan Lee Named Chief Design Officer For Nancy Tellem's Xbox Entertainment Studios". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2015-03-04.
  8. ^ Erlichman, Jon (2015-02-20). "How 'Exploding Kittens' became the most insane Kickstarter campaign ever". Medium. Retrieved 2023-09-12.
  9. ^ a b "L.A.-based tabletop game company Exploding Kittens wants you to throw (foam) burritos at your friends and family". Daily News. 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  10. ^ Chen, Connie. "Exploding Kittens is the most-backed project on Kickstarter to date — here's how a $20 card game became an internet phenomenon". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 2019-03-21. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  11. ^ Bergstrom, Frank (2017-05-16). "The Top 10 Most Funded Kickstarter Board Games of All Time". Evil As a Hobby. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  12. ^ "Throw Throw Burrito". Kickstarter. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  13. ^ "Throw Throw Burrito is a card game that weaponizes Mexican food". VentureBeat. 2019-02-28. Archived from the original on 2019-12-11. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  14. ^ Anthony, Sean (2019-09-12). "Exploding Kittens creators announce On a Scale of One to T-Rex, a game for people bad at charades". GAMING TREND. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  15. ^ "On a Scale of One to T-Rex, a hilarious new party game from Wolfgang Warsch". Dice Tower News. Archived from the original on 2019-12-29. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  16. ^ Uranga, Rachel (11 October 2019). "Exploding Kittens Laps Up $30 Million Investment". Los Angeles Business Journal. Archived from the original on 2019-12-19. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  17. ^ Spangler, Todd (2019-10-10). "Exploding Kittens Raises $30 Million From Peter Chernin's TCG Capital". Variety. Archived from the original on 2019-10-10. Retrieved 2019-12-29.
  18. ^ "2008 Cannes Lions Grand Prix Winners". Archived from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  19. ^ "2008 Cannes Lions Silver Award Winners". Archived from the original on 2012-02-10. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  20. ^ "2008 Clio Award Winners". Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  21. ^ a b "2008 Webby Award Winners". Archived from the original on 2008-06-21. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
  22. ^ Dirty Work
  23. ^ Matulef, Jeffrey (October 12, 2012). "IndieCade 2012 winners announced, Unmanned takes the top prize". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on February 28, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
  24. ^ "2022 Peabody Winners, The Beast, A.I. Transmedia Experience". Retrieved 2022-02-28.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Elan_Lee&oldid=1250456074"