David Jaffe papers

Collection — Container: digital collection

Identifier: 118.10879

Staff Only

The David Jaffe papers are a digital collection of text documents, graphic files, moving images, game prototypes, and other digital materials relating to two unreleased projects, “Dark Guns” (also called “The Last Days of Planet Earth”) and “VBL” (or “Tornado Ball”). Additional scope and content information can be found in the Contents List section of this finding aid.

The David Jaffe papers are arranged into two series, one of which has been further divided into subseries. The digital files are accessible on-site at The Strong.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1997 - 1999
Majority of material found within 2017 - 2018

Creator

Jaffe, David (Person)

Language

The materials in this collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

At this time, digital files in this collection related to game development (including game builds and/or prototypes) are limited to on-site researchers only. It is possible that certain formats may be inaccessible or restricted. Please see The Strong’s Digital Games Files Access Policy.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection is open for research use by staff of The Strong and by users of its library and archives. Though the donor has not transferred intellectual property rights (including, but not limited to any copyright, trademark, and associated rights therein) to The Strong, he has given permission for The Strong to make copies in all media for museum, educational, and research purposes.

Extent

15.2 Gigabytes (Digital only.) : Accessible on-site at The Strong.

Additional Description

Abstract

The David Jaffe papers are a digital collection of two games developed by game industry veteran David Jaffe. Files relate to two cancelled projects: “Dark Guns” for Sony PlayStation (1997-1999) and “VBL” for PlayStation 4 (2017-2018).

Biographical Note

David Scott Jaffe is an American video game designer, best known for the God of War and Twisted Metal franchises.

Jaffe worked as a game designer and director at Sony Computer Entertainment America for more than a decade. In 2007, he and Scott Campbell co-founded company Eat Sleep Play, Inc., which entered into an exclusive platform deal with Sony. In 2012, Jaffe left Eat Sleep Play to pursue other projects. He established the Bartlet Jones Supernatural Detective Agency in 2013; the studio’s initial product, Drawn to Death, was released for the PS4 in 2017. Bartlet Jones closed down in 2018 following the cancellation of its latest project (“VBL”).

As of 2020, Jaffe continues to be involved in the video game industry and hosts various video game live streams on Twitch.

System of Arrangement

Series I: “Dark Guns,” 1997-1999

Series II: “VBL,” 2017-2018

Subseries A: Office documents

Subseries B: Concept art

Subseries C: Game builds

Subseries D: Videos

Custodial History

The David Jaffe papers were donated to The Strong in January 2019 as a gift of Parham Gholami. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 118.10879 and were received from Gholami via digital transfer.