You may not have heard of Doug Church, but you've played his games is an interview with the Looking Glass project leader and programmer of the two Ultima Underworld games and System Shock, and contributor to Thief: The Dark Project and Flight Unlimited. The interview talks about the fame and credit, or lack of it, for Looking Glass' innovation in 3D games, the advancement of technology versus game content, and more. Here is a quote on his design philosophy:

We’ve always striven for "immersion" in the gameplay, but as we’ve grown (well, changed, at least) as designers, our sense of that has changed. While the details of this attempt vary from game to game, the core goal has been to provide a range of player capability in the world. With this breadth of capability, the player hopefully feels more involved in their decisions. An Underworld player can open a door with the key, by picking the lock, by breaking it down or by casting a spell. If the player can choose their own goals, and their own approaches to an obstacle, then when they reach the goal it is far more satisfying. Flexible simulation of game elements is a powerful way to enable the player to make their own way in the world.