Erik Wolpaw | |
|---|---|
 Wolpaw in 2012 | |
| Born | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Video game writer |
Erik Wolpaw is an Americanvideo game writer. He andChet Faliszek wrote the pioneering video game websiteOld Man Murray. He subsequently worked for game developersDouble Fine Productions andValve, and is known for his work on video games includingHalf-Life 2,Psychonauts,Portal,Portal 2 andHalf-Life: Alyx.
As a high-school student, Wolpaw wrote two games for theAtari 8-bit computers published astype-in programs inAntic magazine in 1983 and 1984.[1] From 1997 to 2002, Wolpaw andChet Faliszek wrote the video game-oriented websiteOld Man Murray. The site was highly influential in video game writing and game journalism.[2][3] He also wrote forGameSpot.[4]
He subsequently worked atDouble Fine Productions as a writer forPsychonauts. In 2006, he won theGame Developers Choice Award for Best Writing for his story and dialogue contributions toPsychonauts.[5] In 2004, Wolpaw joinedValve, where he and Faliszek wrote for games such asHalf-Life 2: Episode One,Half-Life 2: Episode Two,Team Fortress 2,Left 4 Dead,Portal andPortal 2.[6] He left Valve in February 2017 to write forPsychonauts 2,[7] though he ended up not working on it.[8][9] In January 2019, he confirmed that he had returned to Valve as a part-time contractor onArtifact[6] andHalf-Life: Alyx.[10]
In 2004, Wolpaw was diagnosed withulcerative colitis. Expecting his condition to require a departure from the company, he spoke with managing directorGabe Newell, who surprised him by offering an extended leave with pay. "Your job is to get better," Newell said. "That is your job description at Valve. So go home to your wife and come back when you are better."[11]
| Year | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Psychonauts | Co-writer |
| 2006 | Half-Life 2: Episode One | Writer |
| 2007 | Half-Life 2: Episode Two | Writer |
| 2007 | Team Fortress 2 | Co-writer |
| 2007 | Portal | Writer |
| 2008 | Left 4 Dead | Co-writer |
| 2011 | Portal 2 | Writer |
| 2018 | Artifact | Writer |
| 2020 | Half-Life: Alyx | Co-writer |
| 2022 | Aperture Desk Job | Writer |
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