<![CDATA[Game Designers Remembered - Brian R. Wood]]>Fri, 18 Oct 2024 16:52:28 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[Bio and Gameography of Brian R. Wood (Kohan II, Axis and Allies, Company of Heroes...)]]>Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:32:13 GMThttp://www.gamedesignersremembered.com/brian-r-wood/first-postPicture
Name: Brian R. Wood
Birth: 3/3/1977
Death: 9/3/2010
Games Created or Co-created : Kohan II: Kings of War, Axis & Allies, Company of Heroes, Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts, Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor, Company of Heroes Online
Cause of Death: Car accident





Graduating from Lawrence University in 2000, Brian thought that music would be his choice of career. He discovered his singing voice in high school, and brought that with him through high school and college performing in a number of plays and musicals. 

However, realizing that music probably wouldn't pay the bills, he attended a technical school to learn how to design computer programs. Shortly after school, he found himself at Timegate Studios where he worked on the epic games Kohan II: Kings of War and Axis & Allies. 

In 2002, he met his wife Erin. And in 2005, they were wed. 

Landing a job at Relic Entertainment in Vancouver, Brian was on his way to more opportunity. The couple moved to Canada, and Brian began his work on the Company of Heroes series - the Opposing Fronts expansion pack being the first game benefiting from his magic touch.

Soon after, the next expansion pack Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor saw Brian as the lead designer. It was clear Brian's future at Relic was secure. And with the next game in the series proving to be their most ambitious (Company of Heroes: Online), Brian dedicated much of his time to the project. He and Erin also decided to start a family in Vancouver. 

Brian had his dream job at a game company, and their first child would soon bring more joy to their world.

But the dream ended on September 3rd, 2010. Brian and his six month pregnant wife, did everything they could to swerve from the path of a Chevy Blazer crossing the center line. Brian took the brunt of the impact on the driver's side, killing him instantly. Erin survived, her and their unborn baby, mostly unharmed. 

It would later be revealed that the driver of the Blazer was removing a sweater while her passenger held the wheel. The Blazer started to veer too far to the right, so both the driver and passenger over-compensated and yanked the wheel to the left causing the crash.

Friends of the Wood family started a trust fund for Erin and her new baby to provide support and some relief for what must still be a trying time for them. You can give here: http://www.brianwoodmemorialtrust.com/
Portfolio
Title: Kohan II: Kings of War
Company: Timegate Studios, Inc
Year: 2004
Platform: PC 
Title: Axis & Allies
Company: Timegate Studios, Inc
Year: 2004
Platform: PC
Title: Company of Heroes
Company: Relic Entertainment 
Year: 2006
Platform: PC
Title:  Company of Heroes: Opposing Fronts 
Company: Relic Entertainment
Year: 2007
Platform: PC
Title: Company of Heroes: Tales of Valor
Company: Relic Entertainment 
Year: 2009
Platform: PC 
Title: Company of Heroes Online
Company: Relic Entertainment, Shanda Interactive Entertainment Limited
Year: Cancelled
Platform: PC
Other Media
Picture
Brian and Erin Wood
Picture
E3 2010 - Machinima.com interview with Brian Wood
Picture
Brian and Erin Wood
Obituary - Brian Raymond Wood, 33 
Brian Wood, 33, of Vancouver, BC died in a traffic collision September 3, 2010 on Whidbey Island, WA. Brian grew up in Lakewood, CO, graduating from Green Mt High School in 1995. He graduated from Lawrence University in 2000, wed Erin Eldredge in 2005 and moved to Vancouver the following year.

Brian became a highly regarded video game designer, primarily through his work on Company of Heroes. Brian was an active runner, hiker, backpacker, and vocal musician. The car he was driving was struck by an airborne SUV that had flipped over. Last minute evasive action taken by Brian saved his widow Erin and their unborn first child.

​Brian is survived by his brother Keith and his parents Ed and Janice, all of Morrison. A memorial service will be held September 19th in Vancouver. 

Sources: 
www.legacy.com
www.inquisitr.com/84128/game-designer-brian-wood-dies-protecting-his-pregnant-wife/http://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/news/102224414.html
www2.macleans.ca/2010/10/14/brian-raymond-wood-1977-2010/
www.aolnews.com/2010/09/13/pregnant-wife-husbands-last-act-saved-me-and-our-baby/
www.1up.com/news/company-heroes-designer-dies-protecting
www.relic.comhttp://www.machinima.com

Editors Note: 
Since Brian's death, his wife Erin has had to deal with the tragic loss of her loving husband, and the miraculous gift of their first and only child. Please take a moment to donate to the
Brian Wood Memorial Trust to help support the family during this time. 
]]>