Topic: Second-best Game Designer

[ThePerm]

I won't make positions. Just a short list

Miyamoto-mario, Zelda, Pikmin, and Donkey kong
Yu Suzuki- Virtual Fighter and Shemue
Gumpei Yokoi-Metroid, Gameboy
Yuji Naka-Sonic the Hedgehog
Shinji Mikami-Resident Evil, Viewtiful Joe, Devil May Cry,
Hideo Kojima- Metal Gear
John Carmack-wolfenstein, Doom, Quake
The Stamper Bros.-Rareware
David Doak- Goldeneye, Perfect Dark, Time Splitters
Sid Meier-Civilization, Pirates!
Peter Moleneux-fable, Black and White
Wiil Wright-SimCity, The Sims, Spore
Keiji Inafune-Megaman, Dead Rising
Ed Boon and John Tobias- Mortal Kombat
Akira Nishitani and Akira Yasuda.-Street Fighter

[Morari]

Most modern games wouldn't even exist without the work of John Carmack and John Romero. While Carmack is still pumping out some of the best looking engines around, the actual design work at Id has suffered since Romero's departure.

I think you could argue for Sid Meier or Will Wright as third place though. Their products are more niche, but almost always polished to perfection. Furthermore, both seem to try something significantly different with each game.

[NWR_insanolord]

Carmack and Romero were certainly influential, but the way I see it all of id's games combined aren't half as good as Alpha Centauri.

[ShyGuy]

Good list from Perm.
Peter Moleneux - did Populous
Miyamoto also played a big part in Wii Sports, Wii Fit, Nintendogs.

edit:

Michel Ancel - Rayman, Beyond Good and Evil, Rabbids.

[SixthAngel]

The challenge is to pick a second best designer and you guys just make lists.  Suck it up and pick one.

It's hard to pick one but do it and give reasons.  Don't worry, you can change your mind later and you will still be invited to Moleneux's birthday party.

I narrowed it down to Tim Schafer and Yu Suzuki.  I like nearly all of Schafer's games and how he puts a quirky uniqueness in them all.  I also like that he has the balls and talent to start a whole new company doing lower budget games.

Despite that I've got to go with Yu Suzuki as my number 1.  Besides his hugely influential arcade games the guy pretty much made the entire 3d fighting game category.  Shenmue was way ahead of its time too and I can't think any other games that were so ambitious and actually hit the mark.  What that guy could have done with a company that was fiscally sound.  I still think Nintendo should have poached the hell out of the big guys like him from Sega if they would have accepted.

[alegoicoe]

I think the designer behind the Deus Ex Human Revolution, Francois Lapikas did a hell of a job rebooting the franchise, I also read part of the team of that game moved to crystal dynamics to help with the new Tomb raider.

[pokepal148]

didn't kojima do that boktai series as well

but i say Sakurai,

[NdIGiTy]

I'll go with Sid Meier, if only because he's a Michigan man.