Alan Miller

Alan Miller
Miller, Alan
Alan Miller
Occupation	Founder Activision, Founder Accolade, Software Developer

Career

Beginnings: From Berkeley to Atari

Alan Miller’s journey into the heart of gaming began with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley in 1973. After developing control systems in Silicon Valley, he was recruited by Atari in February 1977. At Atari, Miller became one of the first four programmers for the groundbreaking Atari 2600 console. He designed classics like Surround, Hangman, Basketball, and was part of the team that co-authored the operating system for the Atari 400/800 computer series.

Birth of Activision (1979–1984)

By late 1978, Miller and his fellow developers— David Crane, Larry Kaplan, and Bob Whitehead— realized that their work generated around 60% of Atari’s cartridge sales. Yet Atari refused to credit them or offer royalties, insisting they were like “assembly-line” labor. Feeling undervalued, Miller joined the famous departure in 1979, and with Crane, Whitehead, Kaplan, and businessman Jim Levy co‑founded Activision, the first independent video game publisher.

As Activision’s VP of Product Development, Miller led the creation of early hits like Checkers, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Starmaster, and Robot Tank. His game Starmaster (1982) earned accolades and helped cement Activision’s reputation for innovation.

Launching Accolade: A New Era (1984–1994)

Forward-looking, Miller and Whitehead believed Activision needed to diversify into home computers, but faced internal resistance. In 1984, they left to found Accolade, focusing on Commodore 64 and other platforms. Under Miller’s leadership— as VP of Product Development, later Chairman and CEO— Accolade became known for high-quality titles and sports franchises. Miller himself designed Law of the West (1985), a Western-themed narrative game.

Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Accolade released major series like HardBall!, Test Drive, and Jack Nicklaus Golf, becoming a significant name in gaming. Miller departed in 1994, as Accolade eventually faced financial challenges and was acquired in 1999.

Health Gaming: Impact Beyond Entertainment (1997–2001)

Miller’s passion for societal impact led him to co-found Click Health in 1997, aiming to use video games for health education. He served as Chairman and CEO of this pioneering company that developed games like Packy & Marlon for diabetes and Rex Ronan for anti-smoking. Clinical trials showed compelling results— e.g., a 77% reduction in urgent care visits among diabetic children who played Packy & Marlon— earning support from institutions like Stanford, Kaiser, and the CDC. Despite success, the company closed in September 2001 due to funding challenges.

Advergames and Analytics (2001–Present)

In September 2001, Miller rejoined Skyworks Technologies, co-founded by David Crane, as Vice President of Business Development. There, he built branded advergames for major companies, such as Nabisco and Candystand, drawing millions of players.

From 2010 onward, Miller transitioned to gaming analytics, helping studios make data-informed decisions. He held leadership roles at deltaDNA, SAP, Cryptic Studios, GreenPark Sports, and most recently as Vice President of Analytics & Business Intelligence at Mob Entertainment (2023), leveraging decades of expertise to shape modern gaming experiences.

Legacy and Vision

Co-authored the Atari 400/800 operating system.
Co-founded Activision, championing credit and royalties for creators.
Co-founded Accolade, a highly-regarded home computer software publisher.

Add to these his leadership in health-centered gaming and data-driven game design, and Miller’s impact spans not only entertainment but also societal good and technological innovation.

Career Snapshot

1973: BS EE & CS, UC Berkeley
1977–1979: Atari – 2600 games & 400/800 OS
1979–1984: Co-Founder & VP, Activision
1984–1994: Co-Founder → CEO, Accolade
1997–2001: Founder & CEO, Click Health
2001–2005†: VP Biz Dev, Skyworks (Advergames)
2010–2025: Analytics roles at deltaDNA, SAP, Cryptic, GreenPark, Mob Entertainment

Conclusion: From designing early Atari games to co-founding two major publishers, and evolving into health games and analytics, Alan Miller's career exemplifies adaptability, innovation, and a forward-thinking approach. His advocacy for creator rights and his use of gaming for well-being have left a distinct mark on the industry—and continue to influence its future.

List of major works

Links

Wikipedia
Mobygames
LinkedIn
Software People, Page 51