Howard Phillips pulls up Chair

March 18, 2009 3:14PM PDT

Former Nintendo executive appointed studio director of Epic Games subsidiary, Undertow developer.

Since being acquired by Epic Games last May, Utah-based developer Chair Entertainment Group has kept a low profile. While the company's current project remains unannounced, it has returned to headlines with today's announcement that it has appointed industry veteran Howard Phillips as its studio director.

Howard Phillips, as introduced to the readers of <i>Nintendo Power</i>.

Howard Phillips, as introduced to the readers of Nintendo Power.

A creative director at Nintendo until leaving the company in 1991, Phillips was one of the first game-industry executives to gain widespread notoriety among gamers. Part of the reason for Phillips' familiarity was his presence in the pages of Nintendo Power as one-half of the magazine's comic strip duo, Howard & Nester. Since leaving Nintendo, Phillips has held a variety of positions with Microsoft, Splash Studios, Absolute Entertainment, THQ, and LucasFilm Games.

As for Chair, the developer is best known for the Unreal Engine 3-powered Xbox Live Arcade shooter Undertow. The studio has also forged close ties with Orson Scott Card, having licensed the gaming adaptation rights to the sci-fi author's classic Ender's Game. Chair also worked with Card on a new property, Empire, which became a New York Times best-seller.

By Brendan Sinclair, Senior Editor

Brendan Sinclair has been a games journalist since 1999. His tastes are eclectic, though he has a definite affinity for games with arcade roots. He's Canadian, but has also been at home in Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, and San Francisco.

Follow Follow @BrendanSinclair

14 comments

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BMWPro77

Wow. That name is a serious blast from the past! I haven't heard it spoken in ab=bout 17 years.

nintendoboy16

[This message was deleted at the request of the original poster]

akuma1069

Whoa...this article took me back. I remember thinking Howard was the best video game player ever in the 80's.

NND1

I remember this guy, he was with nintendo back in '85 he was the Pres. and this was when Nintendo had quality control with their games. If a game did not cut it Nintendo would not touch it... The first Nintendo Powers were very thin.... Wow that was a long time ago............

Kingnetherdrake

Ghehe loved the book, I don't know this guy but he seems to be good, I hope they make a nice game :D

siefier25

I remember Nintendo Power when Nintendo was publishing the mag. The first edition was the first magazine I ever had. Super Mario Bros 2 was on the cover. And I remember Howard and Nester. I remember Howard Philips better than Mario's Creator(don't know how to spell his name).

kavadias1981

I think the of this report takes the crown as "Most Boring Title in the History of Titles" title. As for the report itself, who cares.

blackace

Koi-Neon-X Ah, Howard and Nester in Nintendo Power. Now, I feel really old lol! ******************************************************* I know what you mean. Nintendo Power was one of my first gaming magazines I read. Then game Video Games and Computer Entertainment and Gamepro. Next Generation and DieHard Gamefan were still two of my favorite magazines to date. I still have the first edition of NP, NG and Gamepro.

swmeek

No kidding I know how you feel!

Koi-Neon-X ranger

Ah, Howard and Nester in Nintendo Power. Now, I feel really old lol!

mustained13

Good to see Howard still involved with gaming companies.

maverick_76

Have to say that I'm unfamiliar with this guy.

Asagea_888

I remember Howard Philips! I'm glad to hear of his new position.

jrabbit99

I really want to see an "Ender's Game" game

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