William Fisher is one of the first generation of video game designers, starting with Mattel Electronics in 1981. After leaving Mattel, he started independent developer Quicksilver Software, Inc. His interests range from strategy game development to simulation-based training and artificial intelligence design, to usability and user interface design. He is intensely interested in developing products that enhance learning in science, technology, and mathematics (STEM). For many years, he maintained an active role in guiding the development of Quicksilver’s projects, which included products targeted at markets ranging from commercial entertainment software and educational software to simulation software and mobile applications. He was and is active in many IEEE-related activities, including chairing the IEEE GameSIG and the GameSIG Intercollegiate Game Showcase (http://www.gamesigshowcase.org). Fisher also served for several years on the Program Committee for the IEEE Games Innovation Conference and as chair of the IEEE 2200 Standards Committee.
Mr. Fisher oversaw the development of Quicksilver’s Full Spectrum Command simulation product for the U.S. Army from 2001 to 2003, and another set of products, based on the same technology, for the Singapore Armed Forces (in cooperation with the U.S. Army and RDECOM-STTC). Quicksilver was a subcontractor to the USC Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT). He played an active role in the design and implementation of the artificial intelligence software used in the product, and in the creation of its detailed After Action Review functionality. He also worked closely with the development team to ensure the pedagogical integrity of the software.
Fisher’s expertise in user interface design and usability was later utilized through his efforts on the DARPA DARWARS project. Quicksilver was responsible for creating the “look and feel” of the system and ensuring that all user interactions with this online learning system took maximal advantage of the pedagogical elements that it provided. This assignment involved bridging the role of Technical Architect with that of User Interface Designer.
From 2007 through 2008, Fisher led the creation of a logistics-training package for the U.S. Army. The Distribution Management Cognitive Training Initiative (DMCTI) software was awarded the U.S. Army 2008 Modeling and Simulation Award for Army-Wide Training. The software was fielded with a release of the Army’s BCS3 logistics software to provide training to active-duty Soldiers. The Automated Tutoring capability developed by Quicksilver is an excellent example of the company’s blending of solid educational product design techniques with creative game-industry development practices.
More recently, the Quicksilver delivered a Web-based training game that teaches Users how to deal with complex counter-insurgency issues. This was developed for the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. And they designed a medical device for breast cancer surgery.
Fisher graduated magna cum laude from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1981, earning a BS with Highest Honors in Mathematics and Computer Science. He was also nominated to Phi Beta Kappa.
In 2017, Fisher founded a new video game company, Intellivision Entertainment, contributing by hiring the core team, assisting with the design of the hardware, and designing the company’s security systems. As he transitions away from day-to-day participation in this company in order to focus on Beyond Imagination, he is happy to see that its flourishing and capable team is just about to bring its products to market.
