He’s one of the most well-known and respected video game creators in the world, but colleagues say you’d never know it from talking to him.

Sure, he holds a spot in the 2008 Guinness World Records for the most video game awards received in the history of the industry, but in the offices of Hunt Valley’s Firaxis Games, Sid Meier is just another gamer.

“He is as humble a person you could possibly imagine,” said Steve Martin, president of Firaxis. “With all of his success, you would never imagine it.”

Meier, 54, who co-founded Microprose Software in 1982 and Firaxis Games in 1996, has directed, designed or developed more than 40 computer games over the course of his career, including the hits “Civilization,” “Pirates!” and “Colonization.”

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He’s a member of the Computer Museum of America’s Hall of Fame, been honored with a commemorative star on the “Walk of Game” in San Francisco and recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 Game Developers Conference.

At Firaxis’ offices, a simple nameplate with “SID” adorns his office door.

SID MEIER

Age: 54, born Feb. 24, 1954, in Sarnia, Canada, and grew up in Detroit

Education: University of Michigan

Career: Co-founder of Microprose Software, 1982 to 1996; co-founder and director of creative development of Firaxis Games, 1996 to present

Family: Wife, Susan Meier; son Ryan Meier, 18.

Home: Hunt Valley