CPUFreak91 Member Posts: 2337 From: Registered: 02-01-2005 |
Although a bit late, this fortnight's interview is with Mack, a veteran CCN member and moderator. How did you find out about CCN? Why did you join? How did you become a CCN moderator? Krylar approached me about it sometime ago. He was finding himself too What kind of job do you have? Do you enjoy it? What was the project? Revelation. A FPS-RPG like Dues Ex. I'd still like to do it someday, had What kinds of frustration and "utter hopelessness" have you faced? I don't want to get into the specifics but I could almost say 'you name How old are you? How long have you been working with computers? Are you a coder? What IDE do you use? What languages do you know/program in? Are you learning any new ones? When did you become interested in computers? What was it about the computer that interested you?[b] [b]How often do you design virtual worlds today (if you do at all)? Every month or so a new idea pops into my head regarding some new game or What is it about the computer that interests you now? What operating system(s) do you normally use? Why do you use them? What other operating systems do you semi-frequently use? Why do you use What other things do you enjoy doing on a computer? Do you prefer Email or Instant messaging when communicating with What kind of Email/Chat client do you use? What's it's name? Do you blog? Often? What are the specs of your home and/or work computers? Yes no dual core, I’ll probably jump to quad or octa core next year. [Editor's note: Mack has acquired a quad core since this he started this interview] Do you have a game console? If so what is it and why did you buy it? If you have a game console, what was your first? Do you touch the graphics field of computing very often (such as I’m not super great or anything; it’s something I’d like to improve on. Do you believe in freedom (primarily in software) the way the FSF Do you have a favorite movie or TV show? What other non-computer hobbies do you have? How would you describe your relationship with Christ? How do you imagine a way that you could use your talents and What kind of geeky projects do you see yourself doing within the next Was the CCN Speed-Game Competition your idea? I don't think so. I don't remember who came up with it. Why did you start the competition? After hearing it I thought it was a great idea. Really, like Bible Dave, How did you obtain prizes? I asked. I went to 20 or so different sites and sent them emails telling What in the 2007 competition is different from the 2006 one? I think everything has over well improved and the exposure is a lot more. What do you think about the variety of coding languages and different I have no real professional view on them. Whatever it takes to make a Why is the Mac not listed as an OS that a game can run on? None of the judges have Macs. I’d like to see Mac support down the road,
1.SSquared 2. Lava 3. Steveth45 3.9 (Should be 4, but my interview numbers got off somewhere earlier this year) Crazyishone 4. Jestermax 5. InsanePoet 6. HanClinto 7. ArchAngel 8. Mene-Mene 9. Ereon 10. Zookey 11. Mack 12. Jari 13. Krylar ------------------ "Oh, bother," said the Borg. "We've assimilated Pooh." "Socialism works great... if there are no people involved." -- Pastor David Ginter, Union Church of Guatemala. My Programming and Hacker/Geek related Blog [This message has been edited by CPUFreak91 (edited August 10, 2007).] [This message has been edited by CPUFreak91 (edited August 15, 2007).] [This message has been edited by CPUFreak91 (edited September 25, 2007).] |
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HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004 |
Excellent interview!
quote: Wow! I just turned 26, I'm quite surprised that Mack is younger than me. For some reason, I had the idea that he was older than me.
quote: I'm pretty sure that D-Sipl did all the hard work of getting the first comp (2006) off the ground, though I think the idea had been tossed around a few times before anyone acted on it.
--clint [This message has been edited by HanClinto (edited August 10, 2007).] |
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samw3 Member Posts: 542 From: Toccoa, GA, USA Registered: 08-15-2006 |
quote: I'm surprised as well. I guess it's the mohawk. ...or maybe the fact that he conducts himself in such mature fashion.
quote: I know what you mean. There's so much of life to live. Why waste it on tv. Thanks again, cpu, for the great interview! I always enjoy these. God Bless! ------------------ |
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kenman Member Posts: 518 From: Janesville WI Registered: 08-31-2006 |
quote: Just think how good you'll be when you hit 40! ------------------ If you ain't in the forums, you in the againstums :) |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
Thanks CPU for the interview, if anyone else has questions feel free to post them.
quote: Actually the Quad was given to me by surprise by one of my client.
quote: I don't think I can get any balder as it is!
quote: That and I'm not really interested in alot of the shows on.
quote: I just look it, heh. |
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ArchAngel Member Posts: 3450 From: SV, CA, USA Registered: 01-29-2002 |
nice interview. 24 is younger than I thought. ------------------ |
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kenman Member Posts: 518 From: Janesville WI Registered: 08-31-2006 |
Yep, I did my first live performace 24 years ago.
No wonder I have grey hairs coming in! ------------------ If you ain't in the forums, you in the againstums :) |
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ArchAngel Member Posts: 3450 From: SV, CA, USA Registered: 01-29-2002 |
so... it's a possibility that it was at your concert Mack was conceieved? oh wait, Christian forum. doh! ------------------ |
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Jari Member Posts: 1471 From: Helsinki, Finland Registered: 03-11-2005 |
It was interesting to read about you Mack. But I didnt quite get one part, are you coder or not? ------------------ [VoHW] (Help needed) [Blog] (Contact) - Truedisciple (mp3) |
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zookey Member Posts: 1902 From: Great Falls, Montana, USA Registered: 04-28-2002 |
Nice interview! Props to Mack and CPU! ------------------ |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: No, I am not. |
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jestermax Member Posts: 1064 From: Ontario, Canada Registered: 06-21-2006 |
Mack: What is your favourite brand of toothpaste? ------------------ |
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crazyishone Member Posts: 1685 From: Registered: 08-25-2004 |
How is nightmares coming along anyway? ------------------ |
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HanClinto Administrator Posts: 1828 From: Indiana Registered: 10-11-2004 |
Wow, so how old were you when EW was published? That's amazing that you were able to have a published game when so (relatively) young. | |
Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: I'm currently enjoying Crest Cinnamon. I find anything mint leaves a nasty after taste.
quote: Slow but progressing. We need proper backing in order to get into full production. I posted some media on GameACE sometime back, here it is:
quote: We've gotten interest but everyone wants to see a polished demo, which is going to take a ton of cash (think tens of thousands). No one is really willing to throw money at Christian games anymore since recent fiascos that really screwed over the industry. So it's sorta on hold but sorta not. Really what the industry needs is a steady release of inexpensive, fun, good quality titles with heavy direct marketing. We're doing some stuff on the side that may help, but more on that later.
quote: It was 5 years ago this year so I would have been 19. Most of the development was done when I was 18. [This message has been edited by Mack (edited August 10, 2007).] |
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GUMP Member Posts: 1335 From: Melbourne, FL USA Registered: 11-09-2002 |
TV: What, no mention of Gilmore Girls? :P | |
Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
quote: So what kind of games could you give as examples of what the CG industry needs, and what is and how would one go about acquiring heavy direct marketing? ------------------ |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: It's over and I don't watch the reruns.
quote: Quality pickup and go titles $10 and under. Going to largely populated areas and giving away free games. Focus online advertising on your target market. |
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Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
So what would be a good example of a pickup an go game? ------------------ |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: Right now everyone is talking the casual games market as the undiscovered country. That market alone has increased to $600 million in 2004 and it's estimated to be $2b industry by 2008 (source: IGDA Casual Gaming White Paper 2006). Those games are typically coffee break titles; play through your browser for 10-15 mins and leave it. The companies make money based off of ad revenue from the site and also 'deluxe' versions of the games that boast more content and better graphics/sound (the deluxe versions are typically stand alone downloaded titles). So what my belief is that us Christians who are into devin' games should get together on a whole series of pickup and go titles, make them fantastic and then really flog them and then split the rewards afterwards. XX has teamed up with some devs and we're plunking away on some titles but we need more. I would love to get together with some more small teams and start working on some small titles. |
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Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
Interesting. I'd be interested in tinkering with something like that. I've tried bigger games, but they're too complex for only one person, and I don't really have much experience in devving with a team. This may end up being a viable and interesting opportunity to make some money and help further our industry at the same time. Thanks for telling me about it Mack. ------------------ |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
No prob. I'm mostly looking for web people (java, shockwave, flash) that could do a few different titles and also help make short online demos. I'm interested in 50/50 royality splits, co-devepopment, sole IP rights (if you come up with the idea for the game you keep it), etc. If anyones interested, drop me an email. |
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Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
Well, I have no web dev skills to offer, but I was considering turning my Competition project into something similar to what you're talking about, then distributing it around my town of residence and the town I'm going to be attending college at. There's a possibility if I can secure some distribution areas and resources that I might be able to offer you an outlet for a few of your titles in the near future. I'll shoot you a PM if it becomes a reality. There's a yearly game design conference at my college also, so I'm going to start trying to circulate there and build connections, hopefully open some more opportunities as well. ------------------ [This message has been edited by Ereon (edited August 11, 2007).] |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
Cool, sounds like a good effort. | |
CPUFreak91 Member Posts: 2337 From: Registered: 02-01-2005 |
I clicked "quote" when I wanted to click "edit". [This message has been edited by CPUFreak91 (edited August 15, 2007).] |
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SSquared Member Posts: 654 From: Pacific Northwest Registered: 03-22-2005 |
Wow! Excellent interview! Had no idea you were so young, either. With a game out and all... I guess you were 21 when we met. What you are saying about casual games is so cool. I've been on a casual gaming kick since May (when PopCap games was giving away Bejeweled for free) and I've thought this is totally an area Christian game developers should be exploring. 1) Seems like the keen market for the general Christian population. Well, again. That was a really terrific interview. I did not realize the impact "recent fiascos" had on the industry. That's sad and sorry to hear it. Keep up the great work Mack! You are an encouragement to us all. |
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Ereon Member Posts: 1018 From: Ohio, United States Registered: 04-12-2005 |
I'd like to inquire as to what exactly recent fiascos that seemed to be referred too. Was it just the Left Behind deal or was there more than one? It can be a bit tricky keeping up with Christian Gaming news. Also Mack what's your take on GameACE. I saw it the other day and was thinking of purchasing a membership but I wasn't sure how well organized it was and whether it had any real benefits to membership yet form your viewpoint as a developer/leader. ------------------ |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
quote: Just a young punk. Ereon, I'll PM you. |
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SSquared Member Posts: 654 From: Pacific Northwest Registered: 03-22-2005 |
By the way, I gotta say Mack...your enthusiasm for the contest is really inspiring. Your reasons behind it are refreshing. I feel like you are just as excited as we are and that really spurs me on. Thanks. Stay Frosty. |
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Mack Administrator Posts: 2779 From: Registered: 01-20-2001 |
Thanks man, I am really excited for the contest. All the entries look great and I'm pumped to play all of them. |