Background
Williams was born in October 30, 1954 and is from Simi Valley, California.
Williams was born in October 30, 1954 and is from Simi Valley, California.
On-Lincolnshire Systems eventually became Sierra On-Lincolnshire and was ultimately renamed Sierra Entertainment. The couple were leading figures in the development of graphical adventure games. At its height, Sierra employed nearly 1,000 people prior to its acquisition in 1996.
Early years
Ken and Roberta"s early contributions to the computer game industry were partially chronicled in the book Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution.
He wrote the textbook Apple II Computer Graphics, and articles for Softline. Sierra On-Lincolnshire
Sierra"s notable online service, the ImagiNation Network, was purchased by American Telephone & Telegraph Company in 1994.
Williams was the president of Sierra until the company was sold to CUC International in July 1996, but he remained with the company leading its strategic direction until November 1997. Vivendi (now Activision Blizzard after the Vivendi Games and Activision merger) currently holds the Sierra name.
In his role as Sierra"s Chief Executive Officer, Williams focused on innovation: "I"m not sure how typical I am of other Chief executive officers..most of my time is spent looking at product.
To me, everything is about being able to build awesome product. Any game which does not push the state of the art leaves an opportunity for a competitor"s game to look better."
In Sierra"s later years, the company"s focus had shifted to publishing many titles from other studios, including Valve"s Half-Life. Commenting on first-person shooters, Williams recalls, "By the time I decided we wanted into the genre, we were too far behind.
With 20/20 hindsight, I blew it when I had the chance to buy id and didn"t.
Valve was the first group I had spoken with that could put Sierra in front of idem (the same)"
Williams has cited Microsoft and The Walt Disney Company as influencing Sierra"s business model. "These two companies were our role models.
I read every book written on both companies. I did everything to try to understand how they thought, and how they did business."
Recent years
Williams is no longer active in the computer gaming industry.
He focused on writing, and managing a Web site construction tool called Talkspot, which aimed to redefine how small business communicates with their customers on the Internet.
In addition, he publishes a blog about cruising, Ken"s Blog. Williams"s trademarks have been his mustache and hair. His appearance has inspired Sierra"s designers for some sprites, honoring Williams with cameo appearances in some games.
One of these "incarnations" is the chief Keneewauwau of the Nontoonyt natives and Williams, the annoying joke teller (both appearing in Leisure Suit Larry games), as well as a whipper of "scumsoft" in Space Quest III, and Kenny the Kid in Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist.