John Carmack
You're not "1337" enough unless you're John Carmack, even if you've been gaming since he made Wolfenstein 3D possible. Apart from being hardcore enough to do some coding during his honeymoon, id Software's co-founder and lead programmer also deserves the props for Doom and Quake. His programming genius led to innovations in 3D graphics, and those who work with him will tell you how Carmack's programming skill is difficult (if not impossible) to match.

Will Wright
Before the Nintendo Wii captivated hearts of casual gamers, Will Wright's The Sims reached beyond pimple-faced teenagers to become the best selling PC game in history. One of the rare gems you can share with your mother or girl friend was about simulating virtual lives made fun by Wright.

Some complain about having too many expansions for The Sims games, but let's face it - millions of people have this man to thank for countless hours of entertainment. The anticipation surrounding Wright's next big title, Spore, just shows how people know this guy can deliver.