Douglas A. Whatley papers

Collection — Box: 1-4

Identifier: 120.4512

Staff Only

The Douglas A. Whatley papers contain physical and digital documentation relating to Whatley’s career at MicroProse Software, OT Sports, and BreakAway Games. Materials include game concepts, development documentation, correspondence, memos, agreements, notes, and more. Published games represented within this collection are Darklands (1992), ABC Sports College Football: Heroes of the Gridiron (1997), Waterloo: Napoleon’s Last Battle (2001), and several others. Additional scope and content information can be found in the Contents List section of this finding aid.

The Douglas A. Whatley papers have been arranged into four series. The physical materials are housed in three archival document boxes and one media box. Digital files migrated from 3½” floppy disks and CD-ROMs in this collection are accessible to on-site researchers in a read-only capacity.

Dates

1989 - 2004

Creator

Whatley, Douglas A. (“Doug”) (Person)

Language

The materials in this collection are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

Source code and digital files migrated from 3½” floppy disks and CD-ROMs in this collection are available to on-site researchers only. 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

2.3 Linear Feet (3 archival document boxes, 1 media box)

Additional Description

Abstract

The Douglas A. Whatley papers contain physical and digital documentation relating to the career of Doug Whatley. Materials span the years 1989 through 2004.

Biographical Note

Douglas A. (“Doug”) Whatley began his lengthy career in the gaming industry at MicroProse Software as a Programmer/Producer in 1990. (Prior to that, he designed the original America Online PC client software between 1987 and 1990.) While at MicroProse, Whatley programmed several acclaimed titles, including Sid Meier’s Civilization and Darklands. In 1996, Whatley became Director of Product Development at OT Sports, where he produced games for ABC Sports.

In 1998, Whatley established BreakAway Games in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with several other video game industry veterans. BreakAway develops both entertainment and serious games for commercial and government clients; they have produced award-winning training and simulation games for the healthcare, military, and emergency management industries. As of 2022, Whatley is CEO of BreakAway Games.

System of Arrangement

Series I: MicroProse Software, 1989-1998

Series II: OT Sports, 1995-1999

Series III: BreakAway Games, 1999-2004

Series IV: Reference, 1999-2003

Custodial History

The Douglas A. Whatley papers were donated to The Strong in October 2020 as a gift of Douglas Whatley. The papers were accessioned by The Strong under Object ID 120.4512 and were received from Whatley along with more than 240 video games and related objects.