This timeline details Tim Sweeney's early life, covering his upbringing, education, and initial foray into programming and game development.
Birth
1970
Timothy Dean Sweeney is born in Potomac, Maryland. Growing up he developed an early interest in electronics and programming.
Early Programming Experiments
Early 1980s
Sweeney begins experimenting with programming on the Apple II computer. He is largely self-taught and learns quickly, diving into various programming languages and techniques.
Developing 'ZZT'
Mid-1980s
Sweeney starts working on 'ZZT', a text-based adventure game he would later release commercially. This marks his serious entry into game development.
University of Maryland
1989-1993
Sweeney attends the University of Maryland, pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He continues working on his game development projects alongside his studies.
