From Apple II to Japan
Nasir Gebelli, an Iranian-American programmer, embarked on a remarkable journey to Japan during the late ’80s and early ’90s, armed with a work visa and a passion for coding. Joining Square, he quickly became a pivotal figure in the evolution of the Final Fantasy series, a franchise that would go on to define role-playing games for generations. The shift from programming action games for the Apple II to crafting complex RPGs on the NES was not as daunting as one might assume, thanks to his remarkable skills.
The Man Behind the Airship
Perhaps one of Gebelli’s most notable contributions was the creation of the airship in Final Fantasy III. This was no ordinary vessel; it zipped over the overworld map with unprecedented speed, a feature so exceptional that many programmers at the time struggled to replicate it. Even renowned game designer John Romero couldn’t help but laud Gebelli, calling him “my number one programming god, my idol” in his enlightening book, Honoring the Code: Conversations with Great Game Designers.
A Brief Window into Retirement
After his monumental work on Secret of Mana, Gebelli opted for a quieter life, making only rare public appearances. He resurfaced occasionally, like at an Apple II reunion in 1998, where he was interviewed by none other than Romero. Recently, he spoke with NHK World, shedding light on his storied tenure at Square. Reflecting on his beginnings, Gebelli candidly remarked that he had never encountered role-playing games before the creation of Final Fantasy, highlighting his unique perspective as a pioneering mind in a burgeoning genre.
