Steve Barcia

{{Short description|Canadian game programmer}}

{{BLP sources|date=April 2020}}

Steve Barcia is a game programmer, game producer and entrepreneur, having founded the computer game developer Simtex Studios Inc. in 1988.{{cite book |last=DeMaria|first=Rusel |date=December 10, 2018|title=High Score! Expanded: The Illustrated History of Electronic Games |edition=3rd |publisher=CRC Press |isbn=978-1138367203 }} The company released computer games such as Master of Magic, Master of Orion, Master of Orion II, and 1830: Railroads & Robber Barons the adaptation of the Avalon Hill strategy game 1830. They also developed the unreleased projects Mech Lords and Guardians: Agents of Justice.

Following a corporate takeover in May 2000, Nintendo of America bought Retro Studios. Barcia was elected to replace the founder and then-president Jeff Spangenberg. Under Barcia's leadership, Retro Studios developed and released Metroid Prime.[https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/29/17386066/the-rocky-story-of-retro-studios-before-metroid-prime The rocky story of Retro Studios before Metroid Prime] Barcia was replaced by Michael Kelbaugh in April 2003 after Nintendo received numerous complaints about his mismanagement of the company.{{cite web|title=A Nintendo veteran joins the ranks of the development team behind Metroid Prime and its upcoming sequel|publisher=Gamespot|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-appoints-new-president-at-retro/1100-6025021/}}{{cite web|title=Retro Appoints New President|date=11 April 2003 |publisher=IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/04/11/retro-appoints-new-president}}

After his replacement he took employment at EA Canada in Vancouver where he oversaw production on the Def Jam, SSX, and Need for Speed series.{{cite web|title=Need for Speed Undercover Q&A: Return of the Fuzz|publisher=Gamespot|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/need-for-speed-undercover-qanda-return-of-the-fuzz/1100-6198476/}}{{cite web|title= EA Announces SSX On Tour; Rule the Slopes in the Latest Release from the Critically Acclaimed SSX Franchise |publisher=Business Wire|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20050504005317/en/EA-Announces-SSX-Tour-Rule-Slopes-Latest}}

In 2009, he was chosen by IGN as one of the top 100 game creators of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/88.html |title=IGN - 88. Steve Barcia |website=IGN |language=en |access-date=2023-11-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420081506/https://www.ign.com/top/game-creators/88.html |archive-date=2014-04-20}}