Gamasutra has learned that veteran game developer and programmer Joe Waters passed away on Tuesday.
The news comes courtesy of several of Waters’ friends and compatriots in the game industry, including veteran game developer George Broussard and Microsoft’s Collin Moore, commiserating and sharing memories of Waters on social media this week.
Waters worked in the game industry for over 15 years, and his career spanned stints at Monolith Productions, Hidden Path Entertainment and 343 Industries working on everything from Condemned to Halo: Reach.
His most recent post was with Microsoft’s Xbox Advanced Technology Group, and he was a well-loved fixture of the Seattle game development community.
“His impact on the Seattle game industry is monumental as he was the pioneer of Industry Night at the Garage,” Moore recently told Kotaku. “The connections, introductions, job offers, career advice, random encounters and more impacted so many people over 10 years or so it is hard to even put a number on it.”
“You knew Industry Night started with a firm handshake from Joe and him selflessly asking you how you are doing and ending with the walk to Dunnes [a Seattle bar] before closing time. I am happy to call Joe a colleague, but most importantly a friend. You will be greatly missed.”
The full Kotaku article is worth reading for further remembrances from Waters’ friends in the industry. Stumbling Cat co-founder and Seattle-based game developer Renee Gittins also published a tribute to Waters yesterday.