Biography of Jeffery L. Briggs

Jeffery L. Briggs
Founder, President, and CEO
Firaxis Games

By Kelley Gilmore

JEFF BRIGGS is Founder, President, and CEO of FIRAXIS Games, recognized as a world leader in developing blockbuster titles such as Sid Meier's Civilization III, Alpha Centauri, Gettysburg and Pirates!. Jeff has produced the Civilization franchise since its inception and was Lead Designer of Civilization III, which has sold over 3 million copies. Jeff is lead composer for Civilization IV, scheduled for release in October 2005.

Under Jeff’s leadership, FIRAXIS Games has grown steadily since 1996 from 11 to 65 people, produced 10 games in 9 years, and owns a documented 80% of US PC market-share in its NPD category. FIRAXIS has been lauded with over 50 awards for excellence from consumer, game and trade press.

Jeff is a Doctor of Composition and Music Theory, with degrees from the University of Illinois, Memphis University, and Eastman Conservatory. His musical compositions have been performed in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall and at the Pompideau Centre in Paris, France. In addition he has scored more than 30 games in his career under the Sid Meier, Firaxis, and MicroProse brands.

In 2003, Briggs was named Maryland’s Ernst and Young Software Entrepreneur of the Year and FIRAXIS Games was presented with the Baltimore County New Directions Award. This award recognizes FIRAXIS role in branding Hunt Valley, Maryland as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’, and for sharing the fruits of success through partnership, collaboration and community-conscious programs.

In 2005, Jeff led Firaxis into a new partnership with 2K Games that will bring at least five new games to market in the next three years. Firaxis remains an industry leader creating visionary game products that stand the test of time. Briggs has been Sid Meier’s creative partner for the last sixteen years.