Jim Connelley

Jim Connelley
Connelley, Jim
Occupation	Software Developer, Founder Automated Simulations, Epyx

Career

Jim Connelley (sometimes credited as J.W. Connelley) is a pioneering figure in the early video game industry, best known as the co-founder of Automated Simulations, which evolved into the influential publisher Epyx. His career spanned the nascent days of personal computing in the late 1970s and 1980s, where he contributed as a programmer, designer, and entrepreneur, focusing on strategy and simulation games that bridged tabletop role-playing with digital interactivity.

Early Interests and Entry into Computing (Mid-1970s)

1977: Introduction to Gaming and Computing Connelley, a dedicated Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) enthusiast, hosted regular D&D sessions in Mountain View, California, where he served as a Dungeon Master. This hobby sparked his interest in using early personal computers to enhance gameplay, such as tracking character stats and monster encounters. He acquired a Commodore PET computer specifically for this purpose, marking his initial foray into programming for entertainment. It was through these sessions that he met future collaborator Jon Freeman, invited by mutual acquaintance Susan Lee-Merrow.

Founding Automated Simulations and Early Game Development (1978–1980)

Late 1978: Co-Founds Automated Simulations Partnering with Jon Freeman, Connelley established Automated Simulations in his dining room in Mountain View, California, initially operating out of spare bedrooms. The company was created to publish Starfleet Orion, a simple BASIC-programmed space shoot-'em-up game for the Commodore PET that Connelley had developed six months earlier. Freeman assisted with design despite limited technical expertise. A sequel, Invasion Orion, followed soon after, with ports to platforms like the Apple II and TRS-80. These titles established the company as one of the earliest dedicated computer game publishers, adopting the motto "Computer Games Thinkers Play" to emphasize strategy over arcade action.

1979–1980: Launch of the Dunjonquest Series Building on D&D influences, Connelley programmed the groundbreaking Temple of Apshai, the first entry in the Dunjonquest line and widely regarded as the inaugural computer role-playing game (RPG). Released for the TRS-80 and PET, it featured character creation with six attributes (e.g., strength, intelligence) and real-time dungeon exploration. The game's success—selling tens of thousands of copies— propelled the company forward, leading to a series of expansions, sequels, and spin-offs (e.g., Upper Reaches of Apshai). Connelley handled much of the core programming using a BASIC engine designed for low-memory systems like the 16K TRS-80, while Freeman focused on design.

Expansion, Branding Shift, and Internal Challenges (1981–1983)

1981: Freeman's Departure and Company Growth As Automated Simulations expanded, tensions arose over Connelley's reluctance to modernize the aging BASIC engine. Freeman, frustrated, left to co-found Free Fall Associates with his wife, Anne Westfall. Connelley assumed full leadership of the growing firm, which now employed a small team and released "semi-action" titles under a new sub-brand, Epyx (chosen after "Epic" was unavailable due to a record label). Games like Crush, Crumble and Chomp!, Rescue at Rigel, and Star Warrior adapted the Apshai engine for hybrid strategy-action play, broadening the company's appeal.

1982–1983: Venture Capital, Management Overhaul, and Exit from Epyx Facing financial strains amid rapid industry growth, Connelley secured venture capital funding. Investors installed Michael Katz as CEO and Robert Botch as marketing director to professionalize operations. This shift toward action-oriented games clashed with Connelley's preference for strategy titles. In early 1983, as the company rebranded fully to Epyx, Connelley departed acrimoniously, taking key programmers and loyalists to form The Connelley Group, an independent development studio.

Post-Epyx Career and Freelance Work (1983–Mid-1980s)

1983–1984: The Connelley Group Operating as a contractor, The Connelley Group released a handful of titles through Epyx, including Connelley's final project for the company, Dragonriders of Pern (based on Anne McCaffrey's novels), a strategy RPG for the Commodore 64. The group emphasized simulation-heavy designs but gradually wound down as members pursued other opportunities.

Mid-1980s: Freelance Design and Publishing Shifts Transitioning to freelance work, Connelley designed and programmed games for external publishers, including Brøderbund. Epyx— under new leadership—had become a powerhouse with hits like Summer Games, Impossible Mission, but Connelley's direct involvement had ended.

Legacy and Later Years

Connelley's innovations laid foundational stones for the RPG genre, influencing modern titles through Temple of Apshai's emphasis on character-driven exploration. Automated Simulations/Epyx grew into a major 1980s publisher, but Connelley's vision for "thinkers' games" contrasted with the era's arcade boom, leading to his early exit. Bridgestone Multimedia Group Global acquired Epyx's assets in 1993, after Epyx filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1989. The acquisition was completed following Epyx's unsuccessful attempt to recover from its financial troubles.

List of major works

External links