Overview
Built a genre, lost a studio. Louis Castle and Brett Sperry founded Westwood Associates in a garage, pioneering real-time strategy with Dune II and Command & Conquer. The studio’s innovations—FMV cutscenes, multiplayer RTS, the sidebar interface—defined gaming for a generation. EA’s 1998 acquisition eventually led to Westwood’s 2003 closure, scattering talent across the industry.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966.
- Company: Westwood Studios (co-founder).
- Partner: Brett Sperry.
- Acquired by: EA (1998).
Westwood founding
| Year | Milestone |
|---|
| 1985 | Westwood Associates founded |
| 1992 | Renamed Westwood Studios |
| 1998 | EA acquisition |
| 2003 | Studio closure |
Key productions
| Title | Year | Innovation |
|---|
| Eye of the Beholder | 1991 | D&D RPG |
| Dune II | 1992 | RTS template |
| Command & Conquer | 1995 | Genre refinement |
| Red Alert | 1996 | Alternate history |
Design innovations
| Element | Introduction |
|---|
| RTS template | Dune II |
| FMV cutscenes | Command & Conquer |
| Sidebar interface | C&C standard |
| Online multiplayer | Westwood Online |
Post-Westwood
| Role | Company |
|---|
| VP Creative | EA Los Angeles |
| Various positions | Amazon, others |
| Industry veteran | Consulting |
See also