The Legacy of Hunt Valley: How MicroProse Spawned Baltimore's Thriving Gaming Industry

In the heart of Hunt Valley, a trio of interns once shared a cubicle at MicroProse, a pioneering strategy gaming company. Today, these former interns—Greg Foertsch, Tim Kipp, and David Inscore—are leading their own ventures, shaping the future of video game development in Baltimore County. This story delves into how their experiences under the legendary Sid Meier have influenced their careers and the local gaming scene.

Building the Future of Gaming from Baltimore’s Rich Past

From Interns to Innovators

In the 1990s, three ambitious young minds embarked on an extraordinary journey at MicroProse, a strategy gaming company nestled in Hunt Valley. Greg Foertsch, Tim Kipp, and David Inscore were just interns back then, but they quickly learned the intricacies of designing and building video games. Fast forward to today, and these same individuals are now helming their own ventures. Foertsch founded Bit Reactor, Kipp co-founded Oxide Games, and Inscore co-founded Big Huge Games. Together, they have contributed to iconic titles such as “Rise of Nations,” “FrontierVille,” and the beloved sci-fi series “XCOM.”While Silicon Valley remains the nation’s tech hub, and Montgomery County boasts Maryland’s renowned gaming companies like Bethesda Game Studios and Bethesda Softworks, Baltimore County quietly emerges as a hidden gem in the gaming industry. The influence of Sid Meier, the mastermind behind the “Civilization” series, has left an indelible mark on this region.

The Spark That Ignited a Movement

For many local developers, working under Meier at MicroProse was nothing short of transformative. Meier, often referred to as the “godfather of computer gaming,” co-founded MicroProse in the 1980s and later Firaxis Games in Hunt Valley. His contributions to the industry are unparalleled, with his memoir highlighting his role as a “benevolent industry patriarch.” Despite the challenges faced by newer founders, the legacy of Meier continues to inspire innovation in the area.The path to success, however, is fraught with obstacles. Developers like Kipp emphasize the need for more business incubators and state investment through tax incentives and other programs. “My hope is that not only are we successful but we can build a thriving community around entertainment and games,” Kipp remarked. The more studios that flourish in Maryland, the better off the entire region will be.

MicroProse: Pioneering the Way

When Meier, along with Bill Stealey and Andy Hollis, established MicroProse, arcades were buzzing with excitement. Kids lined up, quarters jingling in their pockets, waiting for a turn to play classics like “Donkey Kong” or “Pac-Man.” MicroProse tapped into this fervor, releasing the flight simulator “Hellcat Ace” in 1982. Although it sold only 50 copies initially, the company persevered, striking gold with “F-15 Strike Eagle,” which went on to sell over a million copies by the end of the decade.Tim Train, co-founder of Big Huge Games and a former employee of Meier’s companies, recalls those early days fondly. “These independent centers sprang up organically in the early to mid-’80s, and one just happened to be in Hunt Valley.” MicroProse became one of the industry’s foundational companies, setting the stage for the empire-building genre with “Sid Meier’s Civilization.”

Firaxis: A New Era Begins

In May 1996, after 14 years of building MicroProse, Meier launched Firaxis Games, taking two high-profile employees, including lead designer Brian Reynolds, with him. While Stealey expressed skepticism about the venture, Firaxis quickly secured a partnership deal with Electronic Arts, one of the largest video game developers and publishers based in California’s Silicon Valley. This partnership provided the necessary financing for Firaxis’s first two games.Firaxis gained control of the “Civilization” franchise from MicroProse in 2005 and released several new editions, including the groundbreaking “Civilization V” in 2010. The title’s release was so significant that then-Governor Martin O’Malley signed a state proclamation declaring September 21 as Sid Meier’s Civilization V Day. Dan Baker, a former Firaxis employee who co-created Oxide Games, noted the game’s impact. “It became a benchmark title, referenced like a famous movie, more than any other game Firaxis has ever made.”

Big Huge Games: Expanding Horizons

Just as MicroProse gave rise to Firaxis, Firaxis spawned other gaming companies. Reynolds and designer Tim Train started Big Huge Games in 2000, staying true to Baltimore County. They differentiated themselves by focusing on multiplayer games. In 2003, Big Huge Games released “Rise of Nations,” which sold over 2 million copies from launch until 2017. Despite financial challenges, the company continued to innovate, with Reynolds and Train eventually joining Zynga to develop “FrontierVille,” also known as The Pioneer Trail, a role-playing game for Facebook.

Oxide Games: Forging Ahead

Layoffs and staff changes at Firaxis led to the creation of another Baltimore County gaming company. Dan Baker, alongside MicroProse intern alumni Tim Kipp and other Firaxis veterans, founded Oxide Games in 2013. Marc Meyer, president of Oxide Games, credits working at Firaxis as the inspiration for starting something new. “Eventually, it was kind of like, maybe I could do this,” Meyer said. “Maybe I could step up and build something where people come to work with us.”Oxide Games released “Ara: History Untold,” a historical turn-based strategy game, in September. The company continues to thrive, drawing on the rich legacy of its predecessors while carving out its unique path.

Bit Reactor: Embracing the Future

After 24 years at Firaxis, Greg Foertsch felt the entrepreneurial itch and founded Bit Reactor in 2021. One of Hunt Valley’s newest gaming companies, Bit Reactor is set to collaborate with one of the world’s most valuable intellectual properties—Star Wars—to create a strategy game around the Disney franchise. Foertsch remained committed to Maryland, aiming to build a culture he wanted to work in. “I wanted to bring the job to me, essentially, and build a culture that I wanted to work in,” he explained.Baltimore County’s Department of Economic and Workforce Development director, Jonathan Sachs, praised the county’s thriving video game development industry. However, some believe more support is needed to attract young developers and talent to the area. Michael Peace, a longtime gamer and owner of M.A.P Technologies, an electronic repair shop and gaming lounge in downtown Baltimore, emphasized the importance of connecting with local gamers.

Midsummer Studios: Securing Investment and Innovation

Despite challenges, Midsummer Studios, Hunt Valley’s newest player, secured $6 million in investments to create a narrative-driven simulation game that aims to rival “The Sims.” Founded by former Firaxis developers Jake Solomon and Will Miller, the company lured Grant Rodiek, a former director from Electronic Arts who worked on “The Sims,” from California to Baltimore. Meier’s son, Ryan, also joined the startup as a software developer.The developers chose to stay in Baltimore due to its affordable living and proximity to major cities like D.C., Philadelphia, and New York City. Plus, the local developers enjoy a slice of the West Coast at the California Pizza Kitchen in the Hunt Valley Town Center—a favorite hangout spot. The county’s newer studios continue to draw inspiration from the legacy of MicroProse and Sid Meier, creating compelling games that honor their roots.