Michael Cranford is well known as the author of the first two games in The Bard's Tale role-playing video game series for Interplay Productions. He appeared to vanish from the video game world between Bard's Tale and Bard's Tale II. He actually moved on to pursue a career more in line with his religious beliefs.

He was a professor of biblical studies for eight years at Biola University and Talbot School of Theology in La Mirada, California, gaining his Master of Divinity Degree from Biola and a Masters Degree in Religion from the University of Southern California. He also holds a degree in philosphy from the University of California. He has taught courses in biblical studies, classical Greek, ethics and theology at both the graduate and undergraduate level. He also worked as a public speaker, volunteer, and writer for a wide variety of Christian groups and organizations.

He is currently employed as a computer programmer and technology consultant in San Juan Capistrano, California and is the primary owner of the website Sundoulos (http://www.sundoulos.com).