Built a genre, lost a studio. Louis Castle and Brett Sperry founded Westwood Associates in a garage, pioneering real-time strategy with Dune II and Command & Conquer. The studio’s innovations—FMV cutscenes, multiplayer RTS, the sidebar interface—defined gaming for a generation. EA’s 1998 acquisition eventually led to Westwood’s 2003 closure, scattering talent across the industry.
Fast facts
- Born: 1966.
- Company: Westwood Studios (co-founder).
- Partner: Brett Sperry.
- Acquired by: EA (1998).
Westwood founding
| Year |
Milestone |
| 1985 |
Westwood Associates founded |
| 1992 |
Renamed Westwood Studios |
| 1998 |
EA acquisition |
| 2003 |
Studio closure |
Key productions
| Title |
Year |
Innovation |
| Eye of the Beholder |
1991 |
D&D RPG |
| Dune II |
1992 |
RTS template |
| Command & Conquer |
1995 |
Genre refinement |
| Red Alert |
1996 |
Alternate history |
Design innovations
| Element |
Introduction |
| RTS template |
Dune II |
| FMV cutscenes |
Command & Conquer |
| Sidebar interface |
C&C standard |
| Online multiplayer |
Westwood Online |
Post-Westwood
| Role |
Company |
| VP Creative |
EA Los Angeles |
| Various positions |
Amazon, others |
| Industry veteran |
Consulting |
See also