Alex Seropian

The Halo Effect, 3x Gaming Entrepreneur Alex Seropian

Today’s guest is Alex Seropian, the mind behind Bungie (1991-2004), Wideload Games (2004-2012), and Industrial Toys (2012-2023). Alex put Xbox on the map with Halo, was one of the first to focus on mobile shooters, and successfully exited all three of the startups he founded, to Microsoft, Disney, and EA.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Alex began playing and coding games in high school computer class on a Commodore PET, the process of creating Mac games and starting Bungie, the Halo deal with Microsoft, Alex’s time at Disney, and the eventual founding of Industrial Toys.

Discussion points#

• Alex’s dad bought him the Sears-branded version of the Atari 2600 in the 80s
• Playing arcade games in downtown Ardsley NY, and high school computer class on a Commodore PET
• Reverse engineering Mac games
• Origins of the name Bungie, shrouded in mystery
• Funding Bungie, raising money with a VHS video appeal
• Early game designs in the 90s
• Halo made many designers want to get into the industry
• The Microsoft deal
• Halo and its sequels, deadlines, and the Microsoft relationship
• Evolving roles for founders Alex and Jason
• The Disney days, surrounded by excellence in entertainment
• Shifts and challenges in the mobile industry
• EA, a very different experience than Disney
• Advice for the younger Alex: go fast, and hire a COO sooner