Jim Levy

Jim Levy was initially a music industry executive, but he is known better for his efforts as the founding Chief Executive Officer for Activision.^[1][2][3]

Activision was originally founded on giving their game designers a lot of recognition for their work. It is for this reason that he promoted his game designers like rock stars. Each game's instruction booklet would have a brief biography of the developer, as well as their autograph. He also was a driving force in the acquisition of Infocom.^[4] In 1986, he resigned his position,^[5] also at a time when games required more than one person to be involved in a game, therefore his style of recognition became less effective.

References

1. (14 July 2011). When arcades ruled the Bay Area (photos), SFgate ("That's legendary game designer David Crane, playing his cartridge Grand Prix while Activision president Jim Levy basks in his awesomeness.")
2. (30 July 2007). The History Of Activision, Gamasutra
3. (19 June 1982). Activision: Its All In the Game, Billboard (magazine)
4. (25 July 2006). The Short, Happy Life of Infocom, Escapist Magazine
5. (15 February 1988). AVOIDING THE SILICON VALLEY BENDS, San Jose Mercury News