# Mike Hally

> American video game developer

**Wikidata**: [Q29477097](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29477097)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mike-hally

## Summary

Mike Hally is a video game designer, video game producer, and computer scientist.

## Summary
Mike Hally is an American video game developer, designer, and producer recognized for his work in the computer science and video game industries. He is best known for his affiliations with Atari, Inc. and Atari Games, where he contributed to the industry during the 1980s. He holds a background in computer science from Santa Clara University.

## Biography
*   **Born:** 1955
*   **Nationality:** United States
*   **Education:** Santa Clara University (private non-profit Jesuit university, Santa Clara, CA)
*   **Known for:** Video game development and production
*   **Employer(s):** Atari, Inc., Atari Games
*   **Field(s):** Video game industry, Computer Science

## Contributions
Mike Hally's career is defined by his involvement with two major entities in the history of electronic gaming: Atari, Inc. and Atari Games. As a video game designer and producer, Hally worked within the American video game industry during a pivotal era of technological development.

He was affiliated with **Atari, Inc.**, the defunct American video game and home computer company originally founded in 1972. While the company was headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, it served as a foundational pillar of the video game industry until its closure in 1984. Following the decline of the original Atari Inc., Hally is associated with **Atari Games**, the American producer of arcade games established on July 1, 1984. This entity, headquartered in Milpitas, California, operated separately from the home console divisions and focused on the arcade sector.

Hally's professional background is supported by formal education in computer science, a field he studied at Santa Clara University. His dual role as a designer and producer suggests a comprehensive involvement in the game creation process, bridging technical computer science principles with creative development.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Mike Hally's nationality?
A: Mike Hally is a United States citizen.

### Q: Which companies is Mike Hally affiliated with?
A: Mike Hally is affiliated with Atari, Inc. and Atari Games as an employee.

### Q: What is Mike Hally's educational background?
A: Mike Hally was educated at Santa Clara University, a private Jesuit university in California.

### Q: What roles did Mike Hally hold in the video game industry?
A: He is listed as a video game designer, video game producer, and computer scientist.

## Why They Matter
Mike Hally represents the technical and creative talent that fueled the early American video game industry. By bridging the gap between the original Atari, Inc. (1972–1984) and the subsequent Atari Games (1984 onwards), Hally signifies the continuity of talent through the video game crash of 1983 and the industry's subsequent recovery. His work as a computer scientist and designer based in Silicon Valley (specifically Sunnyvale and Milpitas) places him at the geographic and technological heart of the digital entertainment revolution. His association with these landmark companies highlights his contribution to the arcade and home computer legacy that defined a generation of interactive entertainment.

## Notable For
*   **Industry Roles:** Served as both a video game designer and producer.
*   **Corporate Affiliations:** Employment with historic industry leaders Atari, Inc. and Atari Games.
*   **Technical Expertise:** Identified as a computer scientist in addition to creative roles.
*   **Education:** Alumni of Santa Clara University (established 1851).
*   **Geographic Hub:** Worked in the core tech regions of Sunnyvale and Milpitas, California.

## Body

### Background
Mike Hally was born in 1955 and is a male United States citizen. He pursued higher education at Santa Clara University, a private non-profit Jesuit university located in Santa Clara, California. His academic background is in computer science, a discipline that involves the study and practice of computation and information systems.

### Career in Video Games
Hally's professional career is centered on the American video game industry, specifically during the 1980s.

*   **Atari, Inc.:** Hally was employed by Atari, Inc., a defunct American video game and home computer company. The company was founded on June 27, 1972, and was headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Atari, Inc. was a primary driver of the arcade game and home computer market until its dissolution in 1984.
*   **Atari Games:** Following the era of the original Atari Inc., Hally is associated with Atari Games. This company was established on July 1, 1984, as a producer of arcade games. It was headquartered in Milpitas, California. The company was originally part of Atari, Inc. before becoming a distinct entity in the video game industry.

### Professional Classification
Mike Hally is classified as a video game developer, a broad title that encompasses his specific roles as a designer and producer. He is also recognized as a computer scientist, reflecting the technical expertise required for his roles in software and game creation.