Steven Englestad

Steven Englestad
Englestad, Steven
Born	July 5, 1945 Oklahoma City, OK
Occupation	Software Developer

Career

Steven Englestad is an American programmer and systems analyst best known for developing First Expedition, an early computer game published by Interstel. His background reflects a blend of technical training, military service, and personal creative interests that informed his work in interactive software.

Englestad was born on July 5, 1945, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was raised in the West Los Angeles area. He initially attended the University of Oregon before returning to California to enroll at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During this period, he was also active as a guitarist in a rock band, an interest that competed with his academic pursuits.

Following his undergraduate studies, Englestad entered military service during the Vietnam War era. He enlisted in the United States Army, completed the necessary examinations, and attended Officer Candidate School, where he was commissioned as a lieutenant in the Engineer Corps. He was stationed in Virginia for the duration of his service commitment and was discharged in 1970 after approximately three years of service.

After leaving the military, Englestad relocated to San Diego, California, where he resumed his education at San Diego State University. He completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics and, during this time, took a course in FORTRAN programming that sparked a strong interest in computer science. Pursuing this new direction, he went on to earn a Master of Science degree in computer science.

By the early 1970s, Englestad had begun his professional career as a programmer and systems analyst in the San Diego area. His work focused on problem-solving and software development, fields in which he remained active for many years.

Englestad’s interest in science fiction and exploratory fiction, combined with his programming expertise, led to the creation of First Expedition. The game reflects his enthusiasm for imaginative, exploratory experiences and represents an early example of narrative-driven computer gaming.

Outside of his professional work, Englestad maintained an interest in music and continued to play guitar, a pastime he reportedly used as a creative outlet alongside his technical career.

List of major works

External links