Todd Andrew Howard was born in Lower Macungie Township, Pennsylvania, setting the stage for a life dedicated to interactive storytelling. Even in his early years, Howard displayed a fascination with computers and video games, laying the foundation for his future career. He was a young fan of tabletop and early computer games.

Growing up in the early days of home computers and video game consoles, Howard's fascination with technology fueled a love for gaming. He was especially drawn to early RPGs and adventure games, which sparked his interest in interactive storytelling and world-building, elements that would later define his design philosophy.