In a significant shift within the gaming industry, Larry Kuperman, the Vice President of Business Development at Nightdive Studios, has announced his retirement from full-time work. With a career spanning 25 years, Kuperman has navigated various roles, from publisher at Stardock to retailer at GameStop, but it is his tenure at Nightdive that has left an indelible mark on the realm of game preservation.
Reflections on a Career
During a recent conversation at the Game Developers Conference, Kuperman shared insights into his career and the motivations behind his decision to retire. He emphasized the complexities involved in reviving classic games for modern hardware, a task that often involves untangling intricate intellectual property rights. A notable example is the elusive spy shooter, No One Lives Forever, which has become something of a white whale for Nightdive. Kuperman recalled how the rights to System Shock were surprisingly held by a Midwestern insurance firm, illustrating the unpredictable nature of the industry.
Kuperman joined Nightdive at a pivotal time, bringing his expertise to navigate these challenges. He noted that the studio’s acquisition of the rights to Sin allowed for greater control over its development timeline, although it often took a backseat to other high-profile projects. “When Bethesda asks you if you want to remaster Doom, you don’t have to think about that one,” he remarked, highlighting the tough decisions that come with prioritizing projects.
One project close to Kuperman’s heart was the remaster of System Shock 2, which was promised to Kickstarter backers of the System Shock remake. Kuperman proudly noted that Nightdive honored this commitment nearly a decade later, despite the financial sacrifices involved. “We could have charged for it, but we chose not to,” he explained, underscoring the studio’s dedication to its community.
A New Chapter
Interestingly, Kuperman’s journey in the gaming industry began as a second act when he joined Stardock in 2001. His transition to Nightdive, after what he believed would be a long-term position at GameStop, could be seen as a third act in his professional narrative. “I find myself unemployed at the tender age of 57, which is a great age to make new strides in the gaming industry,” he quipped, demonstrating his lighthearted approach to this new phase.
Upon joining Nightdive, Kuperman discovered a shared vision with the company’s founder, emphasizing that games should be viewed as art rather than mere products. “If games are art and the people that make them are artists, artwork deserves to be preserved,” he stated, reflecting on the studio’s mission.
Under Kuperman’s leadership, Nightdive has introduced innovative features, such as DVD extras-style development materials with its remastered games, including trailers, concept art, and even previously cut content like a lost level from Star Wars: Dark Forces. However, Kuperman also expressed a sense of loss, mourning the passing of industry figures like Rebecca Heineman and Vince Zampella, which he noted influenced his decision to step back from full-time work.
Despite his retirement, Kuperman plans to remain active in the industry, particularly with the International Game Developers Association (IGDA), where he aims to support newcomers entering the field. “If I have one parting lesson to give to the industry, it’s never say die,” he advised. “The industry has been really, really good to me and to a lot of people. I found myself without a job in my late 50s, and things somehow managed to work out a whole lot better than I had any right to expect.”
