Memorials/Greg Bick

International Game Developers Association

Greg Bick

b. October 17, 1964 (London, Ontario)

d. March 1, 2008 (Georgetown, Ontario)

Mobygames page

Greg Bick of Rockstar Toronto, a former co-worker of mine, passed away on March 1st. He was 44 and suffered an unexpected fatal heart attack. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

1 Biography / Eulogy
2 Works
- 2.1 Video games
3 Links
4 Comments

[edit] Biography / Eulogy

Greg’s game development credits included Quarantine, Dark Colony, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, and most recently The Warriors where he was Creative Director.

Even though I hadn’t spoken to Greg in a couple of years, I still have fond memories of him while I worked at Rockstar Toronto. He was my chief interviewer way back in 2000 when I applied for the position of Gameplay Scripter at Rockstar (then known as Rockstar Games Canada). When I first walked into the interview, I figured I’d have no chance of getting hired since I really had no games development experience. But Greg insisted that if I could write simple Unix scripts, and along with my I.T. background and general enthusiasm, I’d be okay. Once he mentioned that, I felt totally confident and the rest of the interview went extremely well - I was hired within the month.

Working alongside Greg for the next 3 and a half years was mostly filled with fun and laughter. He was the type of supervisor that expected you to do your work, but was never looking over your shoulder. He would always make time to play the latest games, and would invite you into his office to share a joke or the newest viral video.

Back when Everquest was the biggest MMO, there were about 5 of us in the office that played it. Greg would come around the office during the day and lay out our raid plans for the evening’s online action. He would scour EQ info sites for the newest tips and tricks, then impart these jewels of new-found wisdom on to us newbies.

One of the only non-game related activities that we were able to share was street hockey during after-work hours. We played in the back parking lot of Rockstar (located in Oakville, Ontario by the way). Greg was a surprisingly skilled player, even though I always thought he looked like a big, burly biker dude (he actually did ride a motorcycle). He appreciated my quickness in the game and would always comment that I was built for that type of play. Greg was naturally always the team captain.

Greg would also do funny voices, specially those nasally nerd type voices - this would always make me laugh. He would imitate certain people in the office, but it would always be in jest, and never malicious. Greg was ever the calm voice, and was the standout tranquil personality even during heated debates.

So as I write this, I now realize it’s a much harder thing to do than what I first envisioned. When those good ole memories come flooding back, it definitely makes an emotional impact. Even though Greg and I were “just” co-workers, we had many shared experiences; and the fact that I can remember so many of our interactions, means that he certainly had a positive influence in my life.

Greg, buddy, you will be missed.

- Sim