Sorry to announce we lost another former Atarian, Brad Fuller. He passed away from cancer the morning of January 2nd. Brad was a Director of Audio for Atari Inc.’s (joining in 1982), composing music and sound effects. Staying with during the transition to Atari Games, he was became Director of Engineering in 1993 before leaving Atari Games in 1996. Some of the games he did audio for include the home computer versions of Superman, Donkey Kong, E.T., Robotron as well as the coin-ops Marble Madness, Klax, S.T.U.N. Runner, Rolling Thunder, Thunderjaws, Paperboy, Xybots, Blasteroids, and 720°. The guys over at ANTIC (Randall Kindig, Kevin Savets and Brad Arnold) did a podcast with him earlier last year if you’re interested in learning more about Brad Fuller’s contributions and career. Also, check out this musical tribute to his work on Marble Madness.
A full listing of Brad’s voluminous contributions to video game music and audio can be seen here:
www.bradfuller.com/content.html
The following selection of memories from those who worked with him hopefully conveys how well liked and respected Brad was:
Dennis Harper (Senior Staff Producer, Developer Atari Inc., Atari Games – Liberator, Paperboy, POKEY Music System, Return of the Jedi, Toobin, Road Riot 4WD, Moto Frenzy, Primal Rage): “So sad. Brad was not only a cool dude, but a legend in video game audio. I mean, didn’t he write the first FM audio fx for Marble Madness? You will be missed, my friend”
Don Diekneite (Producer / Sr. Composer / Sr. Sound Designer Atari Games ): “Hey Dennis – you’re right. We had an exclusive on the Yamaha fm chip. Brad is not only considered a legend but a pioneer among game audio folks.” ” I did the music to TJ. Brad did the sfx. We did a lot of games together that way.” “Rolling Thunder may have gotten new audio when it was brought over. Atari had an exclusive on the Yamaha FM chip in those days. If that was the case, Brad or Hal Canon may well have been the ones to re-do the sounds.”
Rich Adam (Sr. Software Engineer Atari Inc. – Missile Command, Gravitar ): “Brad’s content and my code tricked some ears in the 80’s. He was a talented guy and a first class person. It makes me sad to think of a life cut short too soon.”
Jess Melchor (Senior Product Designer Atari Inc., Atari Games – 720º , Toobin, Tetris): “I had the chance to exchange several chats with Brad early last year. I honored his wish not to disclose his cancer battle. He was such a great person…….truly a lover of music and of sound technology. We shared a love if vintage jazz music. Beyond those great Atati Games years, it was awesome to work around him at LBE/Silicon Entertainment. RIP my good friend”
Don Traeger (Marketing Executive Atari Inc., Electronic Arts (EA Sports) VP and producer): “Oh, man. So sorry. He was such a nice man…a real gem.”
Farrokh Khodadadi (Technician Atari Games – Klax, Thunderjaws, Road Riot 4WD, Moto Frenzy, T-Mek – The Warlords, San Francisco Rush): “Brad was the coolest manager one would be so lucky to work for. He had a way with people, if you knew him you loved him, he earned your respect. Brad had depth on so many levels, technology, art, music, theology, most of all he was a visionary. He never slowed down to rest on his laurels, always looking for a better solution. The thing I will always remember him by was his views on innovation. He believed that an innovator invents a solution before anyone presents the problem. His mantra was the lightbulb. I will miss him dearly and feel a great loss, but I sense that his spirit lives on among us. My deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”
Derryl DePriest (Product Marketing Manager Atari Games,Vice President, Global Brand Management at Hasbro, Inc.): “Very sorry to hear. RIP Brad….you left quite a legacy.”
Sandy Stan (Atari Inc.): “OMG! So sorry to hear this. He was always so nice to me when I was at Atari. R IP.”
Bruce Merritt (Coin developer Atari Inc. – Black Widow): “Brad was a stand-up guy – very sorry to hear that his time here was cut short.”
Glen McNamara (Electronics Engineering Tech Atari Games – Tetris, Badlands, S.T.U.N. Runner, Pit Fighter, Badlands, Thunderjaws, California Speed): “So sorry to hear this. Brad was a great guy and I have good memories of working with him.”
Linda Adam (Marketing Research Assistant/Product Manager Atari Games): “His soul is soaring with the angels. So sad. Brad will always have a place in my heart.”
Edward Rotberg (Senior Software Engineer Atari Inc./Atari Games – Atari Baseball, BattleZone, Star Wars, Blasteroids, S.T.U.N. Runner,
Shuuz, Steel Talons, Guardians of the Hood): “I’m very sorry to hear this. Brad was a good guy.”
Mary Fujihara (VP Marketing Atari Inc., Atari Games): “Brad will be missed. He was a very caring person and talented in so many ways.”
Mark Sherman (Field Service Manager Atari Inc., Atari Games): “I worked with Brad at Atari and Silicon Entertainment Always easy to work with – Condolences to his family”
Mike Taylor (Sales VP Atari Games, Sales Manager Tengen): “Brad was great to work with and added so much to all the games Boy it hard to hear of his passing, love and prayers to his family and friends.”
Susan McBride (Lead Animator/Graphics/Game Design Atari Games – Gauntlet, Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom, Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, Thunderjaws, Vindicators): “So sorry to hear this sad news about Brad. He was wonderful to work with and was such a great guy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Dave Ralston (Game Designer/Artist Atari Inc., Atari Games – Crystal Castles, Firefox, Paperboy, The Empire Strikes Back, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, 720°, Cyberball, Rampart, Vapor TRX ): “I had to dig around some to find this printed photo I just knew I had. Of course, it’s not as good as I was remembering it. This was at our “grand opening” party for the skateboarding halfpipe we built in the warehouse for 720 “research.” Brad took it upon himself to throw on a tux and play bartender. Very cool. Man, those were such good times!”
