AVault News (6-Dec/Wed)
Eugeny Ivanoff
>>3:00 pm CT - *EA Baltimore Shuts Down*
> Electronic Arts' sent gaming publication fgnonline.com a statement regarding
> the recent closure of its Baltimore studio.
Electronic Arts' sent gaming publication fgnonline.com a statement regarding
the recent closure of its Baltimore studio, which was creating games for the
NASCAR franchise. Senior Director of Corporate Communications Jeff Brown
explained that although EA had decided to close the Baltimore studio, the 14
personnel there were all offered positions at other EA studios; two relocated
while the others chose to remain in Baltimore. Development on the racing sim
franchise has been moved to EA's Tiburon Studio in Orlando -- home of the
Madden NFL production team.
-- industrynews --
>>4:01 pm CT - *Miacomet Acquires ACT LABS*
> Electronic Arts' sent gaming publication fgnonline.com a statement regarding
> the recent closure of its Baltimore studio.
*Miacomet* (1) has signed a letter of agreement to acquire 100 percent of
Vancouver-based *ACT LABS* (2), a manufacturer of PC and console gaming
hardware. As a result of this acquisition, Miacomet has acquired the PC and
console hardware development house responsible for the award-winning Force RS
racing controller and the RS Shifter. Miacomet's spatial patents cover a range
of hardware gaming technologies for use with golf, pool, snowboarding, fishing
and baseball simulations. ACT LABS will contribute its in-house expertise to
generate multi-platform products based on Miacomet's technologies.
- - - - - -
1) http://www.miacomet.com/miacomet/
2) http://www.actlab.com
-- industrynews --
>>4:57 pm CT - *Infogrames Announces Hasbro Acquisition*
> Infogrames has announced a strategic agreement related to the acquisition of
> Hasbro Interactive.
Christmas shoppers are not alone in shelling out cash for sizable purchases
this season: Infogrames Entertainment together with Hasbro has announced a
strategic agreement comprised of three main elements, including Infogrames'
acquisition of Hasbro's game business. Also included in the deal is a
long-term licensing agreement furnishing Infogrames with the sole rights to
create and publish games based on current and future Hasbro properties on all
current and future platforms, and the acquisition of the online gaming portal,
Games.com.
Infogrames will secure 100 percent of Hasbro Interactive's common shares and
purchase Games.com for 100 million USD. In addition, Hasbro will obtain an
annual guarantee from Infogrames based on sales generated from the licensing
agreement. The agreements are subject to the consent of Infogrames'
shareholders and other closing conditions. The companies expect the deal to
close in Quarter 1 2001.
The acquisition furnishes Infogrames with a catalog of titles based on a
number of renowned properties, including Microprose titles such as
Civilization, Falcon 4.0 and their top-selling series of roller coaster sims.
Infogrames also bags the Atari name and all related properties, including
Centipede and the historic Pong. The rights to create and publish games based
on current and future Hasbro properties such as Clue and the online game
Dungeons and Dragons are also included in the deal.
About 60 titles are in production, including future generation console
versions of franchises from Hasbro, Microprose and Atari. Some of these are
Zoo Tycoon, Micro Machines, Twister, Circus Maximus, Civilization and Grand
Prix 4.
-- industrynews --
>>5:17 pm CT - *Sega.com Purchases FamilyWonder*
> Sega.com has announced the acquisition of the family entertainment media
> company, FamilyWonder.
Sega.com has announced the acquisition of the family entertainment media
company, FamilyWonder. Jonathan Kaplan, founder and chairman of FamilyWonder,
will assume the additional role of president and CEO of Sega.com. As a member
of the executive team, he will be responsible for Sega.com's online console
and PC gaming businesses in North America, including all business development,
marketing, sales and operations. Financial terms of the acquisition were not
disclosed.
-- hardwarenews --
>>1:15 pm CT - *Intel Getting Into Communications*
> Chip manufacturers Intel and Analog Devices are aiming to enter the
> communications arena dominated at the hand of Texas Instruments.
Chip manufacturers Intel and Analog Devices are aiming to enter the
communications arena dominated at the hand of Texas Instruments. The pair
announced on Tues. a new blueprint for chips to power wireless Internet
devices. Intel and Analog said the new design would handle high data streams
as video and other rich media move to the Internet. Products based on the core
design will appear over the 12 months or so, executives said in an interview.
Analog Devices uses digital signal processor technologies to convert analog
signals into digital data, while Intel is an expert on crunching data and is
eager to move into the growing communications chip business. Texas Instruments
has a large share of the business for digital signal processors, which are
used in cellular phones. Reuters news was told the chip, which will be seen in
speeds up to 1 gigahertz, was designed to allow programmers to operate faster,
to manage power in the devices, and to handle large data streams.
-- consolenews --
>>8:27 am CT - *PS One Top-Selling Console*
> The redesigned PS One is becoming the hit of this shopping season instead of
> the upscale PS2.
SCE remains the dominant name in the console business, but its redesigned PS
One is becoming the hit of this shopping season instead of the upscale PS2.
The PS One was the top-selling console last month, capturing 42 percent of all
consoles sold in comparison with six percent for the hard to find PS2. In a
tight battle for second place, Sega's Dreamcast edged the Nintendo 64 with 27
percent compared with 26 percent. One reason for the low PS2 numbers is that
less than 20 percent of the expected slate of PS2s are reaching stores, a PC
Data report disclosed.
The limited supplies of the PS2 resulted in a 71 percent sales decline for the
console during the second half of the month. During the same time period, the
three remaining consoles saw sales increase. Dreamcast sales increased 104
percent, the Nintendo 64 saw sales increase 76 percent and the PS One
increased unit sales 58 percent.
-- consolenews --
>>8:42 am CT - *NetImmerse Does Gamecube*
> The prolific NetImmerse game engine now supports game creation for the
> Gamecube console.
Numerical Design together with Nintendo of America has announced that the
NetImmerse game engine now supports game creation for the Gamecube console.
NetImmerse is a set of application tools that can be used for a multitude of
genres and platforms. NetImmerse includes the C++ run-time API, plug-ins that
allow developers to import content from leading modeling programs, and
optimization tools that enable developers to combine high-end visuals with the
most efficient use of computing resources, press materials read.
-- consolenews --
>>12:39 pm CT - *Shipping: Warriors of Might and Magic*
> 3DO has shipped the latest product in their long-running franchise to U.S.
> and Canadian retailers and online shopping sites.
3DO has shipped the latest product in their long-running franchise to U.S. and
Canadian retailers and online shopping sites. The orignial PS console game
infuses the popular series with real-time hand-to-hand fighting, a new
interface, special graphical effects, character development and a new combat
scheme. The product will also be released for the PS2 in Quarter 1 2001.
-- consolenews --
>>12:51 pm CT - *Max Steel: Covert Missions Shipping*
> Mattel Media has announced the release of Max Steel: Covert Missions.
Mattel Media has announced the release of Max Steel: Covert Missions. Based on
the CGI animated TV show of the same name, the game is available for an
estimated retail price of 39.99 USD. In this third-person action title, a
terrorist group has abducted Steel's boss and stolen a biological weapon that
can demolish the world. Enhanced with powerful nano-technologies and armed
with an arsenal of high-tech weapons, Steel will need to rescue his boss and
stop the terrorists.
Eight missions lead up to a climactic showdown with Dawn Shadow, where gamers
can fight in hand-to-hand combat or choose from a large selection of lethal
gadgets and weapons, including trip wires and repeater guns. Stealth mode
allows gamers to slip past enemies undetected, while a turbo mode enables
increased strength and speed. Detailed 3D effects and more than 65 unique
animations bring Steel to life.
-- consolenews --
>>1:01 pm CT - *Evil Dead Shipping*
> THQ has released Hail To The King for the original PS console.
THQ has released Hail To The King for the original PS console. The game is
based on the popular film series, which earned a cult following among millions
of horror fans with its gross effects, humor and common-man hero, Ash. Actor
Bruce Campbell reprises his signature role in Hail To The King, where he
returns to the infamous cabin in the woods to battle deadites on a quest to
rescue his girlfriend.
Created with the full support of Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert and Bruce Campbell,
Hail To The King is a survival horror adventure in the vein of Resident Evil.
Gamers assume the role of Ash, a chainsaw-armed hero who is faced with the
challenge of battling more than 20 enemies using multiple weapons. Gamers can
obtain upgradable weapons, including the axe, shotgun and chainsaw. The huge
settings include a blend of film-related and brand new locations. The plot
unfolds with in-game and pre-rendered sequences.
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Source: http://www.avault.com/news/
=) Susi
* * * Cheats(*US*) http://SusiCheats.virtualave.net/
Eugeny Ivanoff
>>2:34 pm CT - *Thief 3 Progress Report*
> Thief fans are celebrating the first tangible details to emerge about the
> upcoming sequel, which is in pre-production.
Thief fans are celebrating the first tangible details to emerge about the
upcoming sequel, which is in pre-production at Ion Storm Austin. In an update
to the game's forum on fan site *ttgl.com* (1), the group announced, among
other things, that the design team is in place. Those who will decide the fate
of Garrett are: designer Emil Pagliarulo and associate producer Lulu Lamer,
both from Thief 2; A.I expert Paul Tozour; lead programmer Ian Dunlop, who
brings console and PC credentials from Acclaim; writer Terri Brosius, who was
the voice of Shodan; lead audio engineer Alex Brandon, who composed the music
for Deus Ex; and others.
The update also disclosed that the design team is committed to maintaining the
series' stealth-based innovations and is incorporating a detailed script, rich
atmospherics and realistic simulation elements. The script will continue where
the second title ended and promises to answer a number of questions about
Garrett and the Thief world. The artists are occupied with pumping out content
for an internal demo while the lead designers are writing design documentation
and the programmers are implementing game technolgies -- all the usual
pre-production goings-on. Thief 3 will be published through Eidos.
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-- pcnews --
>>3:12 pm CT - *American McGee's Alice in Stores*
> American McGee's Alice, a third-person action game that uses the QUAKE III
> engine, has reached stores.
American McGee's Alice, a third-person action game that uses the QUAKE III
engine, has reached stores. In this adaptation of Lewis Carroll`s children`s
classic, gamers become a wiser, more resourceful Alice as she tries to free
Wonderland from the deranged Queen of Hearts. With the enigmatic Cheshire Cat
as her guide, she will arm herself with bizarre weapons, battle lethal
creatures, and use strange items to solve original puzzles. 3D-shooter veteran
American McGee, one-time map designer at id, was the creative force behind the
game.
Gamers will explore more than 15 levels, each teeming with ambient life and
surreal effects. Based in part on the almost limitless potential of the
classic Wonderland environments, each area will have a distinct feel and
twisted sense of design. As Alice moves through the game world, she will be
able to leap off ledges, stroll up walls, jump and execute a list of special
moves based on specific locations. Alice will also encounter areas of
Wonderland where she will tower over objects and creatures, and where she will
be but a grain on the landscape.
There will be more than 30 characters in American McGee's Alice. A demented
Mad Hatter, an astute Caterpillar, and the hostile Tweedledee and Tweedledum
are a sampling of the traditional characters with which Alice will interact.
McGee will also introduce new denizens that will range from the amusing to the
bizarre. Download a demo of the game *here* (1). Alice features include:
- More than 15 challenging levels
- Over 30 active characters
- Beautiful 3D environments, including the intimidating Fortress of Doors
- A unique collection of weapons, including Demon Dice, the Ice Wand and
razor-sharp cards
- 3D surround sound
- Professional musical score
- Specialized particles for fire, fog, explosions, rain and snow
*IMG* (2) *IMG* (3) *IMG* (4)
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1) http://www.avault.com/pcrl/demo_temp.asp?game=alice
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=alice&num=1
3) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=alice&num=2
4) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=alice&num=3
-- pcnews --
>>3:24 pm CT - *Announced: Ancient Evil 2*
> Silver Lightning has announced a sequel to its 1998 independent hit.
*Silver Lightning* (1) has announced a sequel to its 1998 independent hit.
The new one-person game is a stand-alone product that will feature maps four
times larger than the original AE, including outdoor and subterranean areas.
The updated engines supports Direct3D, enabling accelerated action, colored
lighting, shadows and special effects. The product will be distributed online
instead of through retail outlets starting in Feb. 2001. A downloadable demo
will also be released.
*IMG* (2) *IMG* (3)
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1) http://www.silverlightning.com
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=aecsc&num=1
3) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=aecsc&num=2
-- pcnews --
>>3:49 pm CT - *B-17 II Shipping Dec. 15*
> Hasbro Interactive has announced that B-17 II, its air combat simulator,
> will ship on Dec. 15.
*Silver Lightning* (1) has announced a sequel to its 1998 independent hit.
The new one-person game is a stand-alone product that will feature maps four
times larger than the original AE, including outdoor and subterranean areas.
The updated engines supports Direct3D, enabling accelerated action, colored
lighting, shadows and special effects. The product will be distributed online
instead of through retail outlets starting in Feb. 2001. A downloadable demo
will also be released.
*IMG* (2) *IMG* (3)
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1) http://www.silverlightning.com
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=aecsc&num=1
3) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=aecsc&num=2
-- pcnews --
>>4:29 pm CT - *The Moon Project Gets Publisher*
> The Learning Co. has secured the publishing rights to the next chapter in
> Topware's Earth saga.
The Learning Co. has secured the publishing rights to the next chapter in
German-based Topware's Earth saga. Titled The Moon Project, the 3D real-time
strategic game is scheduled to ship in the U.S., Canada and United Kingdom
under the SSI brand in March 2001. The game runs parallel to the events in
*Earth 2150* (1): As the Lunar Corporation and United Civilized States fight
for survival on Earth's deteriorating surface, a secret research project is in
motion on the moon. The UCS discovers that this operation could be crucial to
their existence, and sends a huge armada of ships spaceward to investigate.
Gamers can anticipate an enhanced 3D engine with even greater degrees of zoom,
realistic fog of war, real-time lighting, true 3D terrain deformation and
particle effects, The Learning Co. said in a press release. In the fight to
control the secret project, both the Lunar Corporation and the USC will wage
war using new units, structures, weapons and technologies.
The Moon Project will include an updated map editor that supports a larger
selection of structures, ruins and textures than Earth 2150. Topware's is also
including its Earth C script language on the CD, which will enable users to
design their own campaigns as well as edit the values and behavior of
individual units.
*IMG* (2) *IMG* (3) *IMG* (4)
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1) http://www.avault.com/reviews/review_temp.asp?game=e2150
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=moon&num=1
3) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=moon&num=2
4) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=moon&num=3
Eugeny Ivanoff
>>9:54 am CT - *New Deathrow Details*
> EXCLUSIVE: A few more details on a new 3D action game called Deathrow have
> come to light.
A few more details on a new 3D action game called Deathrow have come to light.
Coming from a group of designers with a web home at *worldbenders.org* (1),
the offering will place gamers in the shoes of a death row inmate. Although
details are scant, designer E. Andersson told the Adrenaline Vault that the
goal is to cause the gamer to "gasp for air" as he or she experiences the
actions, traumas and execution of doomed prisoners. The design team is
reported to be developing new forms of narration as well as implementing
motion-captured animations and unique cinematic perspectives on the action.
The rapid-fire gunslinging will be complemented with music, sound effects and
3D settings tailored to stimulate an "emotional response."
Deathrow will feature a mix of first- and third-person action. The central
mechanism is a curse that enables gamers to experience the actions of another
person. A police officer gets the curse while investigating a priest's
suicide, and throughout the game will enter the minds of four different
criminals. The plot, as it is described, promises to be disturbing, with the
police officer experiencing prisoners' childhood torment and the criminal
actions that landed them on death row -- such as the murder of a cop during a
botched hold-up. In the end, all the criminals are electrocuted. Shootouts
with drug lords and gang members, and a hostage situation with a swat team are
among the situations in which gamers will be placed.
The design team has used the QUAKE III Arena engine to create a test version
of the game, but will be implementing their own engine technologies once a
funding deal has been signed. Andersson said discussions with a number of
venture capitalists are going well. Although it remains to be seen if this
title will reach consumers, the concept is original.
IMG15* (1) IMG16* (1)
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1) http://www.worldbenders.org
-- pcnews --
>>10:24 am CT - *Soldier in Peril?*
> EXCLUSIVE: Hearing that a long-anticipated game has been cancelled is never
> fun, but another noted title could be heading in that direction.
Hearing that a long-anticipated game has been cancelled is never fun, but
another noted title could be heading in that direction: Sinister Games'
Soldier. Although we wanted to report on its status, that's not possible
because neither the developer nor its former publisher, SOUTHPEAK Interactive,
has a clue. As has been reported in the press, SOUTHPEAK is in the process of
changing hands; details about that acquisition and the new ownership should be
made public sometime next month, a source close to SOUTHPEAK told the
Adrenaline Vault. For now, the game publisher is still in a state of
transition. Sinister is also on hold waiting to hear if Soldier was part of
the deal. If not -- it might not see the light of gamers' PCs.
The good news is that the design studio is not sitting idle while the gears of
the business world churn; it has a next-generation console product in
production for owner UBI SOFT. Details on that game are being held under wraps
for the moment.
Soldier is a third-person action game based on the film of the same name. Here
are pointers to more information:
- *Hands-On Impressions* (1)
- *Developer Interview* (2)
- *First Screenshots* (3)
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1) http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=3252000-11022
2) http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=3252000-112546
3) http://www.avault.com/news/displaynews.asp?story=3252000-115338
-- pcnews --
>>10:36 am CT - *Shadowbane Character Details Released*
> People curious about character creation in the online game Shadowbane can go
> to the title`s information website and get details.
People curious about the process of character creation in the online game
Shadowbane can go to the title`s *information website* (1) and get details on
some of the planned races. The details of character creation in Shadowbane are
also being revealed for the first time. Forthcoming site updates will include
new information, starting statistics for each the race, new concept art, and a
number of AVIs demonstrating the character creation process. Shadowbane`s race
list is exhaustive: Information on humans, dwarves, elves, halfelves, desert
elves, half-giants, shades, minotaurs, birdmen and centaurs are slated for
release during the current promotion.
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-- pcnews --
>>10:45 am CT - *Babbage's-CPL Seminars Announced*
> The CPL has announced the seminars it will be hosting during the upcoming
> Babbage`s-CPL event.
The CPL has announced the seminars it will be hosting during the upcoming
Babbage's-CPL event. Topics include audio engineering for PC games, creating
modifications for popular titles with the designers of the Half-Life
modification Front Line Force, computer hardware optimization with website
HardOCP, map design with the team from Ritual Entertainment, and more. For a
complete list of times, topics and scheduled lecturers, go to the *CPL
website* (1).
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-- pcnews --
>>11:07 am CT - *Reflexive Entertainment Lands Zax Publisher*
> EXCLUSIVE: The creators of the squad-based strategic action game Away Team
> have landed a publisher for their second PC title, Zax.
The creators of the squad-based strategic action game Away Team have landed a
publisher for their second PC title, Zax. An action game featuring similar
technologies, Zax will be distributed through European-based publisher Jowood
in late 2001. Updated details about the title should be released this month on
the game's *information website* (1), Ion Hardie, lead designer, told the
Adrenaline Vault.
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1) http://www.reflexive.net/zax/overview.htm
-- pcnews --
>>1:20 pm CT - *Dracula Sequel Screenshots*
> EXCLUSIVE: Dreamcatcher Games sent the Adrenaline Vault these screenshots of
> the upcoming sequel to Dracula.
Dreamcatcher Games sent the Adrenaline Vault these screenshots of the upcoming
sequel to Dracula. The game has gone gold and will hit stores in Feb. 2001.
*IMG* (1) *IMG* (2) *IMG* (3) *IMG* (4) *IMG* (5)
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1) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=dracula&num=1
2) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=dracula&num=2
3) http://www.avault.com/news/avhots.asp?pic=dracula&num=3
4) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=dracula&num=4
5) http://www.avault.com/news/avscreenshots.asp?pic=dracula&num=5
-- pcnews --
>>1:38 pm CT - *Lonely Cat Games Announces Atlantica*
> The new design studio founded at the hand of the original Hidden & Dangerous
> team has announced its first game.
The new design studio founded at the hand of the original Hidden & Dangerous
team has announced its first game, a first- and third-person shooter called
Atlantica. The title will use the Hidden & Dangerous engine to render a
multitude of distant worlds. In the solo game, people will step into the
heroic role of Atlantica, while a co-op mode will feature all-new locales,
items and enemies. Although details are slim at this stage, one of the unique
features will be spherical worlds, enabling users to race around the globe
using a vehicle, for instance. Traditional deathmatch, team deathmatch and
Capture the Flag will be includes along with server-based connections.
Screenshots from the pre-alpha version can be seen *here* (1).
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1) http://www.lonelycatgames.com/projects.html
-- pcnews --
>>1:58 pm CT - *No One Lives Forever Patch Details*
> The No One Lives Forever team is close to releasing the game's first patch
> -- and it's a doozie.
The No One Lives Forever team is close to releasing the game's first patch --
and it's a doozie. A separate content release is also being prepared that will
include a new terrain deathmatch map. One the patch is released in the next 24
hours or so, the team will begin optimizing the code for online games. Here is
a partial list of fixes to be included in the upcoming patch:
- Fixed a potential crash on exit bug
- Fixed memory fragmentation issues that have caused crashes and slow downs
- Fixed a bug where the heroine's items and weapons were not saved
- Added more informative "Disconnected from Server" messages
- Fixed a bug that allows low ping users to photograph Intelligence items
multiple times
- Fixed a deathmatch bug that sometimes caused a gamer's armor to not show
up
- Fixed a bug that allows low ping users to score multiple frags when
running over someone using a vehicle
- Added a review Intelligence items option
- Fixed a bug in the solo game where shooting an unalert opponent twice
could alert other A.I.
- Fixed a bug that allowed the coin to fall through surfaces
- Fixed an unreachable Intelligence item on the space station
- Added a dialogue box that appears when a user attempts to join a server
running a different game version
- Changed run command to toggle default movement
- Added a dialog box to indicate that a server is no longer available
- Fixed a bug where gamers in an online match could use Esc to teleport
across the map
- Chat text and long messages now word-wrap
- Added better caching of weapon effects to cut down on stuttering
- Updated weapon powerups so users can grab the ammo in them
-- pcnews --
>>2:08 pm CT - *Former id Artist at WildTangent*
> Artist, designer and art director Paul Steed is now a producer at Alex St.
> John's web-based technologies and content group.
Artist, designer and art director Paul Steed is now a producer at Alex St.
John's web-based technologies and content group. Steed will create and direct
original content showcasing the group's web driver, its compression
technologies and development tools.
Steed brings close to a decade of artistic experience in game development
spanning four major game companies: Origin, Iguana Entertainment, Virgin and
id. In his career, Steed has contributed art and art direction to games such
as Privateer, Bioforge, Privateer II and QUAKE III Arena. Steed is also a
regular on the GDC lecture tour and has written 13 magazine articles for Game
Developer magazine. He will produce action games at his new professional home,
including a first-person shooter now in development.