Human Head was founded in October, 1997 by a group of ex-Raven Software devs. Their work included the third-person Viking action game, Rune, and the long-anticipated, puzzling sci-fi/horror FPS, Prey (2006).

There are numerous groups on Steam for fans of specific development studios, be they active or long shut down. Whether or not said Steam groups even take off or thrive is besides the point. Seeing as Steam is the most ubiquitous platform, synonymous with PC Gaming (whether some like it or not), the creation of these groups is a way for fans of under-appreciated studios to simply express their gratitude for and admiration of their work. Many game devs and ex-game devs use Steam. If they happen upon such a group, dedicated to their hard work and passion that they may have thought forgotten or irrelevant now, and that reminds them that, for someone, it definitely isn't, then such a group with even just one member has done its job.I couldn't find a single Steam group honoring Human Head Studios (even their old website is no more), so I made my own.

Human Head worked on a lot of games before closing their doors in 2019, but only a small number of these were creative passion projects that they spear-headed, themselves, from new IP concept to final product. Immense quality over quantity. Other projects found them assisting other teams or taking on more minor roles. These contributions are lesser known and (arguably) not as memorable, but obviously valuable. It should be mentioned, of course, that while very much a Human Head game by launch, 2006's Prey, one of the studio's most universally-acclaimed titles, long in development hell, first started life at 3-D Realms. Not all of their "contributions to other teams' work" were quite so minor after all, it would seem.

Towards the end, Human Head did release a few admittedly bizarre misfires. Two of them, specifically (one even more so than the other. We shall not speak its name), were so astronomically, perplexingly poor that many were left wondering how such a brilliant team could have ever thought them to be good ideas in the first place.

That's just part of the experience of following and loving any group of creatives, though. There will be warts (and, in my opinion, a few pimples that popped towards the end is hardly what I'd call a wart problem) and there will be jewels. In Rune and Prey (2006), especially, it's my belief that Human Head created two of the most polished and enjoyable jewels to ever grace a PC.

If you agree, or love any of their other games (like Dead Man's Hand!), feel free to join this group. You can discuss your memories of the studio's output, similar games, or hell, you can do absolutely none of that! This could just be a ghost town wand that would still be accomplishing my goal, which is to simply stick a "Human Head Studios" flag into the crowded moon that is the world of Steam Groups.

One small step for this human.
One giant gesture of appreciation to Human Head.