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Cliff Johnson

Chief Operating Officer, MATRIXX Software
Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex,United States
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Cliff Johnson's Overview

Total Experience38 years
CompanyMATRIXX Software
CountryUnited States

Cliff Johnson is an acclaimed American independent game designer and programmer, best known for creating innovative and intellectually challenging puzzle games. He rose to prominence in the late 1980s with his groundbreaking game 'The Fool's Errand,' a unique blend of storytelling and intricate metapuzzles. His work is characterized by its depth, complexity, and the requirement for players to think outside the box, often involving ciphers, wordplay, and logical deduction. Johnson's games, including '3 in Three' and 'The Fool and His Money,' have garnered a dedicated cult following and are considered classics in the puzzle genre, influencing a generation of game developers with their unique approach to interactive narrative and puzzle design.

Professional Summary

Cliff Johnson's work history includes a series of influential roles in various companies. Here is a detailed list of his professional journey:

MATRIXX Software - Chief Operating Officer (2020 to Present)
Cisco - Vice President, Global IoT Service Operations (2016 to 2019)
Jasper - Senior Vice President Operations (2014 to 2016)
Ericsson - Vice President & Head of Customer Support Operations (2008 to 2014)
Intelemedia Communications - Chief Operating Officer (2007 to 2008)
Alcatel - VP Global Operations Support (2004 to 2006)
Spatial Wireless - VP Operations (2002 to 2004)
Coyote Technologies - Chief Operating Officer (1997 to 2000)
DSC Communications - Senior Director R&D (1994 to 1997)
NEC America - Manager Software Development (1986 to 1994)
Ericsson Network Systems - Software Engineer (1984 to 1986)

Notable Achievements

Creator of 'The Fool's Errand' (1987)

Designed and developed the iconic puzzle adventure game 'The Fool's Errand,' which received critical acclaim for its innovative metapuzzle structure and narrative integration, becoming a cult classic.

Pioneer in Independent Game Development

Successfully created and self-published complex narrative puzzle games during the early era of personal computing, demonstrating a viable path for independent game creators.

Designer of '3 in Three' (1990)

Developed '3 in Three,' another critically lauded puzzle game that continued to explore intricate puzzle mechanics and narrative depth, further establishing his unique design philosophy.

Development of 'The Fool and His Money' (2012)

After many years, released the long-awaited sequel to 'The Fool's Errand,' crowd-funded and delivered to a patient fanbase, showcasing his enduring appeal and commitment to his craft.

Educational Background

MBA, Engineering Management

The University of Dallas - Year 1988

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Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance

Company Overview

MATRIXX Software
Total employees230
HeadquartersFoster City
Founded2008

MATRIXX Software provides cloud-native, 5G monetization solutions for communication service providers (CSPs) worldwide. Their platform enables CSPs to quickly innovate and launch new digital services, improve customer engagement, and generate new revenue streams in the evolving digital economy. They focus on delivering commercial and operational agility for telcos, supporting everything from traditional mobile services to complex enterprise IoT offerings.

MATRIXX Software Funding Information
$166.1M - Total Funding Raised
$12.5M - Most recent funding amount
5 - Number of funding rounds
21 Nov, 2022 - Latest funding round
Lead Investors:
Sutter Hill Ventures
Greylock Partners
Adams Street Partners
Telstra Ventures
Swisscom Ventures
New Enterprise Associates (NEA)
Highland Capital Partners
CK Hutchison Holdings

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