Erik Cassel

Erik Cassel (December 16, 1967 – February 11, 2013) was an American computer engineer and software developer best known as the co-founder of Roblox. He was instrumental in developing the platform's early technical infrastructure and guiding its engineering team. Prior to Roblox, Cassel served as Vice President of Engineering at Knowledge Revolution, where he contributed to the creation of educational physics simulation software.

Erik Cassel
Born	(1967-12-16)December 16, 1967
Died	February 11, 2013(2013-02-11) (aged 45)
Nationality	American
Alma mater	Cornell University (B.S. in Computer Science, 1989)
Occupation(s)	Computer engineer, software developer
Years active	1989–2013
Known for	Co-founding Roblox
Notable work	Roblox
Title	Vice President of Engineering at Knowledge Revolution (former)

Early life and education

Cassel's interest in computers began in childhood, when he was fascinated by punch card machines and later acquired a TRS-80 from Radio Shack. This passion led him to study computer science at Cornell University, graduating in 1989 with a bachelor's degree.

Career

Knowledge Revolution

After graduating, Cassel joined Knowledge Revolution in 1992, a software company co-founded by David Baszucki. The firm specialized in educational physics simulation tools, most notably Interactive Physics, which allowed high school students to conduct virtual experiments. Cassel quickly rose to the position of Vice President of Engineering. His work was a major factor in the company's success, culminating in its acquisition in 1998 for $19.2 million.

Founding Roblox

Following the acquisition, Cassel and Baszucki began planning a new venture that would merge physics simulation with online social interaction. Inspired by early 2000s social networking trends, Baszucki proposed the idea to Cassel in 2004. Initially considering names such as "GoBlocks" and "DynaBlocks," they ultimately chose "Roblox." The Roblox Corporation was incorporated in March 2004, and the platform officially launched on September 1, 2006.

In its early days, Cassel and Baszucki managed all aspects of the platform, from coding to community engagement. They soon shifted focus to user-generated content, allowing players to create and share their own games and experiences.

Contributions to Roblox

As head of engineering, Cassel oversaw the introduction of several foundational features, including hats, the first egg hunt, and limited items. He advocated for innovations such as animated avatars and bubble chat, which later became defining aspects of the platform.

Illness and death

In 2010, Cassel was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Despite his illness, he continued to work, training engineers and ensuring the platform's technical vision remained intact. He made public appearances at the inaugural Roblox Rally in 2011 and the Roblox Game Conference in 2012.

Cassel died on February 11, 2013, at the age of 45. In his honor, Roblox released his iconic hat as a limited-time item. His family, including his two sons, has remained connected to the company.

Legacy

Cassel is remembered as a "super programmer" and a central figure in Roblox's history. His influence continues to shape the platform's development and community.