Chris Klug is a Teaching Professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center, where he teaches courses in game production, game design and creative writing. With a career spanning theater, tabletop games and video games, Chris brings decades of creative expertise to his students, inspiring them to craft compelling narratives and innovative designs.
Trained as a theatrical lighting designer, Chris began his career working on Broadway, in regional theater, and touring with 1970s rock bands. He transitioned to game design in 1981, joining Simulations Publications, Inc., where he contributed to titles such as Universe and led the design for the second edition of DragonQuest, Horror Hotel and Damocles Mission. At SPI, he also edited the role-playing section of Ares magazine.
Following SPI’s acquisition by TSR, Chris joined Victory Games and designed the “Game of the Year” award-winning James Bond 007 role-playing game, recognized for its emphasis on story and narrative. Over his career, Chris has worked on more than a dozen video games, including Aidyn Chronicles: The First Mage (RPG Story of the Year), Star Trek DS9: Dominion Wars and Duke Nukem: Time to Kill. As Creative Director at EA’s Westwood Studios, he led the narrative team for Earth & Beyond, EA’s first MMO.
Chris later served as Creative Director at Cheyenne Mountain Entertainment, designing Stargate Worlds, an MMO based on the Stargate TV franchise. He collaborated with the show’s writers to synchronize the evolving storylines across media. While teaching at the ETC, he secured $8 million in funding for Dream Wedding Planner, an innovative social and mobile game platform.
In addition to teaching, Chris consults with game publishers worldwide. A playwright and member of the Writers Guild of America West, he continues to shape the future of interactive storytelling through his teaching and professional work.
Chris Klug joined the ETC in 2009.
Education
B.A., Montclair University, Montclair, N.J. Speech and Theater, 1977.
Certificate of Lighting Design, Polakov's Studio and Forum of Stage Design, 1979.
