Nasir Gebelli

Nasir Gebelli
Gebelli, Nasir
Born	1957
Occupation	Software Developer

Career

Born in Iran in 1957, Nasir Gebelli would grow up to become one of the most inventive and technically gifted game programmers of the early computer era. After moving to the United States to study computer science, Gebelli discovered the Apple II— an open frontier for creative minds—and immediately began exploring how far he could push its limits. He didn’t just want to make games; he wanted to make games that moved, and moved fast.

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gebelli rose to fame as one of the Apple II’s most celebrated programmers. Working with Sirius Software, he created a string of hit titles such as Gorgon, a Defender-inspired shooter that became one of the platform’s bestsellers. His hallmark was speed—fluid, flicker-free animation that seemed impossible on the Apple II’s modest hardware. Gebelli pioneered a method called "page flipping," which allowed for smooth motion graphics and a uniquely arcade-like experience on home computers. His games were fast, flashy, and utterly unlike anything else on the market.

In 1981, riding a wave of success, he left Sirius to found his own company: Gebelli Software. The new venture produced a technically ambitious lineup of games, including Firebird, Horizon V, and Neptune. These games were admired for their sophisticated graphics and advanced programming, but they arrived just as the North American video game industry entered a historic crash. Sales stalled, and by 1983, Gebelli Software folded. Disillusioned, Gebelli stepped away from the industry entirely and spent the next few years traveling the world.

In 1986, Doug Carlston of Brøderbund Software helped reintroduce Gebelli to the changing world of game development. This led to a surprising invitation: the Japanese startup Square wanted him to join their team as a lead programmer. Despite knowing almost no Japanese, Gebelli accepted and moved to Japan— one of the few Westerners working in the country’s burgeoning console game scene at the time.

At Square, Gebelli quickly became indispensable. He programmed 3-D WorldRunner, one of the earliest forward-scrolling 3D platformers, followed by Rad Racer, a 3D racing game that used stereoscopic effects and sold nearly two million copies worldwide. These titles helped define Square’s early reputation as a cutting-edge developer on the NES.

Yet his most lasting impact came as the lead programmer for the original Final Fantasy. Working with creators Hironobu Sakaguchi and Nobuo Uematsu, Gebelli helped craft a game that saved Square from financial ruin and launched one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. His work continued on Final Fantasy II and III, each time pushing the boundaries of what the 8-bit console could do—especially in terms of complex systems, cinematic moments, and technical polish.

At one point during the development of Final Fantasy II, visa issues forced Square to relocate much of the team to Sacramento just so they could continue working with Gebelli. It was a testament to his importance—he wasn’t just a contributor; he was a pillar of the project.

Gebelli’s final major credit came in 1993 with Secret of Mana, a landmark action-RPG for the Super Nintendo known for its innovative real-time combat and multiplayer features. Soon after its release, Gebelli retired from game development. He had made his mark and chose to step away from the spotlight while still at the top of his game.

He spent his later years traveling and living comfortably off royalties. In 1998, he made a rare public appearance at an Apple II reunion in Dallas, where he was interviewed by id Software’s John Romero—himself a game development legend. Romero described Gebelli as his “number one programming god,” a tribute that speaks volumes about his legacy.

List of major works

External links

Wikipedia
Mobygames
Software People Page 98, Pages 148-51
Software People, Gebelli, Nasir, games of Pages 150-51