Michael Alyn Pondsmith was born in the United States. His upbringing involved exposure to science fiction and fantasy literature, comic books, and a general fascination with technology – elements that would heavily influence his later game design work. He showed an early interest in creating his own worlds and stories, a precursor to his career in game development.

Before his professional career fully took off, Pondsmith created board games and scenarios for existing RPGs as a hobby. These early projects honed his design skills and demonstrated his talent for crafting engaging and immersive gameplay experiences. These early projects allowed him to experiment with game mechanics and storytelling.

Pondsmith founded R. Talsorian Games (RTG), marking the official start of his career as a game publisher. The company's name is a playful nod to the fictional company Talsorian Enterprises from Roger Zelazny's "Amber" series. This venture provided him with the platform to bring his own unique game ideas to life.

"Cyberpunk 2020", R. Talsorian Games' most famous creation, was released. This role-playing game introduced a gritty, near-future world of corporate dystopia, cybernetic enhancements, and social rebellion. "Cyberpunk 2020" became hugely popular and established Pondsmith as a leading voice in the cyberpunk genre, influencing countless other games, books, and films.

Throughout the 1990s, Pondsmith and R. Talsorian Games continued to develop and expand the "Cyberpunk" universe, releasing supplements, expansions, and new editions of the core rulebook. They also worked on other RPGs, including "Mekton Z", a mecha-themed RPG, further showcasing Pondsmith's versatility as a game designer.

A significant milestone was reached when CD Projekt Red, the Polish video game developer known for "The Witcher" series, announced its collaboration with Pondsmith and R. Talsorian Games to create a video game adaptation of "Cyberpunk 2020". This partnership signaled a new era for the "Cyberpunk" IP and a broader audience for Pondsmith's world.

"Cyberpunk 2077", the highly anticipated video game adaptation of "Cyberpunk 2020", was released. Pondsmith served as a consultant on the project, ensuring that the game stayed true to the spirit and lore of the original RPG. Despite a rocky initial launch, the game eventually became a commercial success and introduced the "Cyberpunk" setting to a new generation of players.

Mike Pondsmith remains actively involved in the "Cyberpunk" universe and continues to work on new projects. He's also dedicated to mentoring aspiring game designers. His legacy as a pioneer of role-playing games and a visionary creator continues to inspire game developers and players around the world.