What's in a Name: Toys for Bob
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Toys for Bob's Paul Reiche III, co-creator of the Star Control series and Pandemonium, lets us in on the thinking behind his studio's name.
Whenever you're putting together a studio, right, it's like name, t-shirt, and then let's do the contract. So Fred [Ford] and I had formed a partnership to do Star Control 1. And we had all of these different names laid out, including this Bosco the Bee mascot that didn't work out. And finally my wife -- she's a poet, very interested in psychology -- she said create a name that generates interest, that doesn't distance yourself from people, and that you can reinvent.
I love toys, I always have, and she knows that and Fred knows that. And so it was just a perfect fit. Bob is also a universal name -- everyone knows a Bob, I used to listen to the Bill Cosby and he was always talking about Bob the mechanic. And part of my brain is just permanently Bob.
We have an official rule, which is that everyone gets their own Bob, whoever you want. "Toys for Bob Kotick" is a fairly good analogy for us, since he's paid for everything we've done. But I'm a sort of a Church of the SubGenius guy myself.
Toys for Bob is currently working on Activision's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, due out later on this year.
Like this feature? Be sure to check out the What's In A Name Archives.
Whenever you're putting together a studio, right, it's like name, t-shirt, and then let's do the contract. So Fred [Ford] and I had formed a partnership to do Star Control 1. And we had all of these different names laid out, including this Bosco the Bee mascot that didn't work out. And finally my wife -- she's a poet, very interested in psychology -- she said create a name that generates interest, that doesn't distance yourself from people, and that you can reinvent.
I love toys, I always have, and she knows that and Fred knows that. And so it was just a perfect fit. Bob is also a universal name -- everyone knows a Bob, I used to listen to the Bill Cosby and he was always talking about Bob the mechanic. And part of my brain is just permanently Bob.
We have an official rule, which is that everyone gets their own Bob, whoever you want. "Toys for Bob Kotick" is a fairly good analogy for us, since he's paid for everything we've done. But I'm a sort of a Church of the SubGenius guy myself.
Toys for Bob is currently working on Activision's Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure, due out later on this year.
Like this feature? Be sure to check out the What's In A Name Archives.
Reader Comments (10)
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 5:29AM Garst said
What?
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 12:59PM The Wicker Man said
@Garst They made one of the best pc games of all time. Star Control II... If only they would come back with a proper sequel.
Reply
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 5:40AM Deadpool said
You fellas been doing a bit of boozing, have you? Suckin back on grandpa's old cough medicine? >:\
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 6:13AM Shockz said
@Arrowned
Unfortunately, it's more likely to result in games like Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam and Madagascar 2 these days. Poor Toys for Bob; they created one of the greatest games of all time, and what do they get as a reward? They get to make shitty licensed games for the rest of their careers.
Reply
Unfortunately, it's more likely to result in games like Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam and Madagascar 2 these days. Poor Toys for Bob; they created one of the greatest games of all time, and what do they get as a reward? They get to make shitty licensed games for the rest of their careers.
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 5:53AM psycros said
What I wouldn't do for a new Star Control from Reiche and Ford, or even a good remake of the originals. Star Control II is easily one of the top 5 PC games ever made. There's a freeware version of it that runs on newer OSs...think its called The Ur-Quan Masters.
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 6:30AM WadeWilson said
They were petitioning for activision to allow them to do a proper SC2 sequel. Didn't work apparently.
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 6:34AM wcarnation said
Bring back Star Control!
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 7:46AM Red Runner said
...Pandemonium, as in that ancient PS1 game series with the jester and the redheaded chick? Man, talk about taking you way back.
Posted: Jun 6th 2011 9:11AM oxfordfishsalon said
It took a psychologist / poet to come up with the name "Toys for Bob"?




