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Portal Co-Writer Erik Wolpaw Unpacks His Gaming Obsessions: Slay the Spire, Burnout Paradise, and 1,500 Hours of Pure Strategy
The creative minds behind our most cherished video game experiences often have equally fascinating gaming habits. We recently peeked into the virtual life of Erik Wolpaw, the legendary co-writer who helped craft the witty narratives of Valve classics like Portal, Portal 2, Half-Life 2 episodes, and Team Fortress 2. His insights reveal a deep appreciation for clever mechanics and satisfying gameplay loops, far beyond the confines of Aperture Science.
Wolpaw’s journey into gaming began on a humble TRS-80, captivated by Scott Adams’ text adventures. That early spark fueled a career that saw him transition from groundbreaking games journalism at Old Man Murray to shaping some of the most influential titles in interactive entertainment at Valve. It’s clear his passion for games is as vibrant today as it was in his high-school library.
Currently, Wolpaw is deep into Slay the Spire 2, describing it as his exclusive gaming fixation. He’s conquering dungeons solo and even teaming up with his son in co-op, despite admitting it might not be perfectly balanced yet. Still, his trust in the developers to hone its strategic depth is unwavering.
- “This is the exact, perfect level of decision making and cognitive load for my brain,” Wolpaw enthuses, praising the roguelike deck-builder’s elegant design.
- He finds joy in the constant sense of optimism each run brings, building a powerful deck and aiming for a win, even at challenging Ascension 10.
Before his Slay the Spire 2 dive, the action RPG Nioh 3 held his attention. Wolpaw, a self-proclaimed fan of the entire Dark Souls series, considers Nioh his second favorite soulslike. He appreciates its unique blend of samurai and ninja combat with a Diablo-style loot system.
When it comes to his most played games, the numbers are truly staggering. According to Steam, Wolpaw has poured an incredible 1,500 hours into Slay the Spire alone, a figure he admits is an understatement thanks to countless hours on his phone.
His other notable time sinks include:
* Dark Souls 3: A surprising 571 hours, though he suspects Steam might have overcounted.
* Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen: A solid 450 hours, where the endless dungeon of the Dark Arisen expansion truly hooked him. “I’m a sucker for the most generic ‘Go into a dungeon and go through the dungeon’ type of games. Love them,” he shared.
But what game will Erik Wolpaw never uninstall? Beyond the obvious Slay the Spire, his answer is Burnout Paradise. This open world racing game holds a special place, offering a unique brand of “press your luck” exhilaration. He plays it yearly, never tiring of its thrilling, high-speed risk-reward mechanics.
His digital hoarding extends to Myth 2, an old favorite he can’t quite get running on modern systems but keeps installed out of hope. And for a dose of witty desktop commentary, Wolpaw admits his screen is a tale of two halves: a neatly arranged, unused left side and a chaotic, actively used right side. Truly, a mind full of gaming marvels and a desktop that reflects the creative process.
The Nerd Bureau Take:
Erik Wolpaw’s gaming preferences underscore a critical truth about great game design: it’s not always about the biggest budget or the flashiest graphics. His deep love for Slay the Spire highlights the enduring appeal of elegant strategy, while his loyalty to Burnout Paradise showcases the timeless joy of pure, unadulterated fun. It’s a testament to how even the most brilliant game developers find comfort and challenge in the same titles we do, proving that genius often appreciates simplicity done perfectly.
