We've all got our inspirations, be they a band, a real person, a fictional character, or a simple piece of music. They give us insights we may have never had without them, give us hope, comfort, and the drive to do great things. I'm curious to see what you guys have to offer!
Rules? Very few. Just list out who/what inspires you; it doesn't have to be a person, it doesn't even have to be real, so long as it fits the little description above. After that, tell us a wee about what makes 'em so powerful for ya! Let's do me first, shall we?
My girlfriend: My muse if ever there was one. We can bounce ideas off one another all day long, and nobody's managed to work and mesh as well with me as she has. Dedicated and loving, she helps drive me toward my goals, and has given me numerous insights into life, relationships, and myself that I've never experienced before. She's one of the biggest reasons I am who I am today.
Richard Garriott (AKA: Lord British): No game series in the world has had as powerful an effect on me as the Ultima series has, and he's the man who made it all happen. Intelligent, funny, and charismatic, Lord British is the reason I first looked into making games. He was my creative catalyst, and my desire to create vast, full, epic worlds and stories is all due, in the end, to him.
Ultima: More specifically, the Eight Virtues of the Avatar. I like them because they, to me, describe in as simple a manner as you can, what makes a truly good person, and what makes a hero. Honor, Honesty, Spirituality, Sacrifice, Justice, Compassion, Humility, and Valor. It may sound a bit stupid, but that's a debate for another thread, but I try to live up to these virtues, myself. I may not always succeed, but I try, and I always try to better myself and live up to the example of the Avatar.
Bill Gates: Really, the ultimate nerd. A college dropout, this man managed to turn one single idea into an empire, turned his vision into a globally recognized company, not to mention obscene wealth. Charitable, nice, and intelligent, he's one of the men I most look up to, and one day, I want to be able to walk up to him and shake his hand.
Armake21/Marc0: He and I may not agree 100% on things, but he and I seem to share a similar idea of what makes a good, solid game. When I imagine someone reviewing a game of mine, its him.
Those are the only ones I can think of at the moment...what are yours?