Elizabeth (Betty) Ryan | |
Other Names: | Betty Ryan Tylko |
Known For: | Quantum |
Occupation: | Computer programmer Video game developer |
Children: | 4 |
Elizabeth Ryan (formerly Tylko) is an American game developer and programmer. She worked for General Computer Corporation (GCC) in the 1980s and was the 9th employee and first woman video game programmer at GCC. She programmed the 1982 Atari, Inc. arcade game Quantum as well as working on games for the Atari 2600, Atari 5200, and Atari 7800.
Ryan received a Bachelor of Arts in Engineering and Applied Sciences from Harvard University. She had four children.
Ryan joined General Computer Corporation in 1982, as its the ninth employee and first female employee. She programmed the arcade video game Quantum in her basement. Ryan worked on the Atari 5200 and Atari 7800 ports of Pole Position and Dig Dug. She also worked on the AtariLab educational software. Her sister, Carol Ryan Thomas, was hired later as a game tester and debugger.[1]
Ryan has spoken about her work in game development for the American Classic Arcade Museum.[2] Since 2003, she has been working in web development with her son, John Tylko.[3]