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The last hours of a Game Programmer

Submitted by DaMunkee on
Forum

Hehe, wow, that subject sounds kind of morbid :)

Well, guys and gals, the day is quickly approaching. As of Tuesday (22nd) of next week, my stint as a Game programmer will be over. It's been a good few years, and through the job, I have had a chance to fulfill a few of my dreams.

From a million selling Expansion Pack, to a multimillion block buster, to even being credited on probably one of the worst games ever made (Renegade), to working on two games at once for a small independent company. I've had some good times and some great times, and occasionally, some really freak'n crappy times (Like 6 months worth for Generals :), but who's counting right). But the day is upon me to move on, to close this chapter in my life. To lock away the memories and hope they will never be forgotten.

Chances are, I will probably never set foot in a game studio again, will it be missed? I'm sure it will, but at the same time, I'm not sad to see it go. I've had a chance to live what other have only dreamed, it is now my time to hand the torch over to another enthusiastic youth so that he or she may be able to live out their dream. To you, my replacement, I wish you the best of luck, and to the rest of you who are still in the queue of gaming glory, "patientce" you too will get your chance to shine.

For those of you who are in Perth, or visiting Perth, I will be there as of July 14th. Feel free to drop me a message and the first cold one is on me :)

Chris

Credits:
C&C Yuri's Revenge
C&C Generals
C&C Renegade
Kohan 2: Kings of War
Axis and Allies

Submitted by MoonUnit on Sat, 19/06/04 - 8:35 PM Permalink

well good luck with the future then DaMunkee!

Submitted by bullet21 on Sat, 19/06/04 - 10:19 PM Permalink

What do you plan on doing now, whatever it is best wishes?

Submitted by Kalescent on Sun, 20/06/04 - 12:03 AM Permalink

Good luck Damunkee, without people like yourself, games that i like to play wouldnt exist. Hats off to you! [8D]

Let us know how that backpacking adventure goes! [:)]

Submitted by Makk on Sun, 20/06/04 - 12:15 AM Permalink

Good luck man :)

Submitted by codyalday on Sun, 20/06/04 - 1:25 AM Permalink

Good luck with the rest of your life, maybe you should become a porn star or something like that.

Submitted by Aven on Sun, 20/06/04 - 2:05 AM Permalink

Have fun with whatever you do.

Don't feel too bad. Postal was a hell of a lot shitter then Renegade :D

Submitted by Leviron on Sun, 20/06/04 - 3:55 AM Permalink

So what's your new career (or job choice) going to be?

Submitted by Kane on Sun, 20/06/04 - 4:47 AM Permalink

Good luck, and all that! [:D]

Submitted by souri on Sun, 20/06/04 - 11:38 AM Permalink

.. and are you still gonna lurk here occasionally? : :)

Submitted by DaMunkee on Sun, 20/06/04 - 3:26 PM Permalink

Thanks Everyone!!!!!!!! :)

quote:Originally posted by Leviron

So what's your new career (or job choice) going to be?

Hehe, I'll figure it out as I go along :) I'm hoping to stay in the land of C/C++ but away from things like ASP/internet technologies. Then again, there's always codyalday's suggestion of becoming a porn star :) But somehow I doubt my girlfriend would be to happy in me doing that.

quote:Originally posted by Aven

Don't feel too bad. Postal was a hell of a lot shitter then Renegade :D

Hehe, that's good to hear there was at least one game worse then Renegade :)

quote:Originally posted by Souri

.. and are you still gonna lurk here occasionally? : :)

Definitely! I'm also interested in setting up some kind of once a month or so "STS" (shoot the sh*t) session in Perth if people are interested.

Submitted by shiva on Sun, 20/06/04 - 6:00 PM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by DaMunkee

quote:Originally posted by Aven

Don't feel too bad. Postal was a hell of a lot shitter then Renegade :D

Hehe, that's good to hear there was at least one game worse then Renegade :)

Daikatana... [;)]

Submitted by Aven on Sun, 20/06/04 - 7:43 PM Permalink

Damn. How could I have forgotten Mister Romero's bastard child :p There was also Phantasmagoria and pretty much every "Interactive Movie" that was ever released during the mid-nineties :) See DaMunkee. Although Renegade wasn't a very good game, it still isn't the worst :D

Submitted by GooberMan on Sun, 20/06/04 - 11:02 PM Permalink

Don't be too harsh to Renegade - after all it was better than C&C: Sole Survivor...

Submitted by Anti Gremlin on Mon, 21/06/04 - 12:51 AM Permalink

hehe, I go to Perth a fair bit, usually for NYE, I'll def have to catch up with you next time im over there, and ill be more honored to shout you the first cold one :D

Submitted by bullet21 on Mon, 21/06/04 - 4:19 AM Permalink

I thought renegade was quite good so did my bro.

Submitted by tbag on Tue, 22/06/04 - 10:48 PM Permalink

So now that your arent working for EA anymore, give us all the dirt! [;)]

Good luck man! Also, your going back packing around Australia arent you? If your in Canberra there are a few Sumea fans who would probably appreciate meeting you *Cough, me [:p]*. But then again there are a lot of Sumea fans and members [;)].

Oh and as for Renegade, the last i heard it wasnt to shabby. I might pick it up from the bargain bin sometime if i can find a copy.

Submitted by DaMunkee on Wed, 23/06/04 - 1:23 PM Permalink

Haha, actually, my backpacking trip was last year, that was when I left EA (hehe, wen't a little insane from the crazy work conditions) Then I came back to the US after 6 months and started working for a small game company "Timegate" so, that's where I'm at today (my last day :)) Anyway, I'm not sure when I'll make it through Canberra.

As for bargin bin prices on renegade, I saw it for 7 bucks the other day :)

Submitted by souri on Mon, 28/06/04 - 3:04 PM Permalink

Anyway, I'd be interested I hearing on why you've left the games industry. Did that IGDA Quality of Life paper have anything to do with it?

Submitted by DaMunkee on Mon, 28/06/04 - 3:46 PM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by Souri

Anyway, I'd be interested I hearing on why you've left the games industry. Did that IGDA Quality of Life paper have anything to do with it?

Haha, it was more like living the IGDA QoL paper that did it :) Actually, like I've said before, my last company, Timegate, they treated us good and we were able to have a life. So I guess my decision to leave is A) Timegate is the exception, finding another company like that would be hard to find, b) I already had my 15 minutes of fame with C&C Generals, so now the "coolness" of being a game programmer has lessened. In the end, it's just a job. and c) I get bored doing the same thing for too long :) So, with the move, nows a good time to try out new things. I hear they need explosive experts for the mining companies in WA :)

Essentially, I'm glad I did it. If I had to do it all over again, I would! I mean, C&C Generals was my dream project, so now that I've lived one of my dreams, it's time to move on. Of course, I still enjoy games, and I'm always willing to chat about the expriences and to help out those that are trying to get into the industry (I have LOTS of friends in the US game industry).

In any event, I'll still hang out here and help out when I can :)

Submitted by Daemin on Mon, 28/06/04 - 10:19 PM Permalink

DaMunkee: You should still attend the Australian Game Developers Conference this year, I reckon it will be a blast having you there, meeting the Sumea 'crew' etc :-)

Submitted by DaMunkee on Thu, 01/07/04 - 4:09 PM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by Daemin

DaMunkee: You should still attend the Australian Game Developers Conference this year, I reckon it will be a blast having you there, meeting the Sumea 'crew' etc :-)

Sounds like a plan Daemin :) I was actually planning to present this year, but with the move, I completely forgot about the deadline! Maybe I'll present next year. Hmmmm, what topic would interest you guys?

Anyway, I'll definitely try to attend, I mean hey, i feel like I have a few friends on here :)

Submitted by bullet21 on Thu, 01/07/04 - 6:25 PM Permalink

Two questions:
Did you work on zero hour as well?
and do you have a yankee accent :)?

Submitted by DaMunkee on Fri, 02/07/04 - 12:55 AM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by bullet21

Two questions:
Did you work on zero hour as well?
and do you have a yankee accent :)?

Nope, Zero Hour was completed in LA, that was after I left (they finished that as I was backpacking).
As for your second question, I don't have an accent, all of you guys do :) Just kidding :P Yeah, I spent about 23 of my 26 years in the US so i lost my accent a long long time ago.

Submitted by bullet21 on Fri, 02/07/04 - 1:36 AM Permalink

also did you work on axis and allies? cos it looks awesome.

Edit: while at timgate of course

Submitted by DaMunkee on Thu, 08/07/04 - 2:30 AM Permalink

Hehe, yeah, A&A is coming along great!!!! They had just a little bit longer on it before they are able to print the gold master, but hey, at least A&A and Kohan 2 will actually come out before christmas, unlike some games :) (Doom3 and Half Life 2... yes yes, I know they're suppose to be out before xmas, but hey,I'll believe it when I see it sitting in my hands :) )

Posted by DaMunkee on
Forum

Hehe, wow, that subject sounds kind of morbid :)

Well, guys and gals, the day is quickly approaching. As of Tuesday (22nd) of next week, my stint as a Game programmer will be over. It's been a good few years, and through the job, I have had a chance to fulfill a few of my dreams.

From a million selling Expansion Pack, to a multimillion block buster, to even being credited on probably one of the worst games ever made (Renegade), to working on two games at once for a small independent company. I've had some good times and some great times, and occasionally, some really freak'n crappy times (Like 6 months worth for Generals :), but who's counting right). But the day is upon me to move on, to close this chapter in my life. To lock away the memories and hope they will never be forgotten.

Chances are, I will probably never set foot in a game studio again, will it be missed? I'm sure it will, but at the same time, I'm not sad to see it go. I've had a chance to live what other have only dreamed, it is now my time to hand the torch over to another enthusiastic youth so that he or she may be able to live out their dream. To you, my replacement, I wish you the best of luck, and to the rest of you who are still in the queue of gaming glory, "patientce" you too will get your chance to shine.

For those of you who are in Perth, or visiting Perth, I will be there as of July 14th. Feel free to drop me a message and the first cold one is on me :)

Chris

Credits:
C&C Yuri's Revenge
C&C Generals
C&C Renegade
Kohan 2: Kings of War
Axis and Allies


Submitted by MoonUnit on Sat, 19/06/04 - 8:35 PM Permalink

well good luck with the future then DaMunkee!

Submitted by bullet21 on Sat, 19/06/04 - 10:19 PM Permalink

What do you plan on doing now, whatever it is best wishes?

Submitted by Kalescent on Sun, 20/06/04 - 12:03 AM Permalink

Good luck Damunkee, without people like yourself, games that i like to play wouldnt exist. Hats off to you! [8D]

Let us know how that backpacking adventure goes! [:)]

Submitted by Makk on Sun, 20/06/04 - 12:15 AM Permalink

Good luck man :)

Submitted by codyalday on Sun, 20/06/04 - 1:25 AM Permalink

Good luck with the rest of your life, maybe you should become a porn star or something like that.

Submitted by Aven on Sun, 20/06/04 - 2:05 AM Permalink

Have fun with whatever you do.

Don't feel too bad. Postal was a hell of a lot shitter then Renegade :D

Submitted by Leviron on Sun, 20/06/04 - 3:55 AM Permalink

So what's your new career (or job choice) going to be?

Submitted by Kane on Sun, 20/06/04 - 4:47 AM Permalink

Good luck, and all that! [:D]

Submitted by souri on Sun, 20/06/04 - 11:38 AM Permalink

.. and are you still gonna lurk here occasionally? : :)

Submitted by DaMunkee on Sun, 20/06/04 - 3:26 PM Permalink

Thanks Everyone!!!!!!!! :)

quote:Originally posted by Leviron

So what's your new career (or job choice) going to be?

Hehe, I'll figure it out as I go along :) I'm hoping to stay in the land of C/C++ but away from things like ASP/internet technologies. Then again, there's always codyalday's suggestion of becoming a porn star :) But somehow I doubt my girlfriend would be to happy in me doing that.

quote:Originally posted by Aven

Don't feel too bad. Postal was a hell of a lot shitter then Renegade :D

Hehe, that's good to hear there was at least one game worse then Renegade :)

quote:Originally posted by Souri

.. and are you still gonna lurk here occasionally? : :)

Definitely! I'm also interested in setting up some kind of once a month or so "STS" (shoot the sh*t) session in Perth if people are interested.

Submitted by shiva on Sun, 20/06/04 - 6:00 PM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by DaMunkee

quote:Originally posted by Aven

Don't feel too bad. Postal was a hell of a lot shitter then Renegade :D

Hehe, that's good to hear there was at least one game worse then Renegade :)

Daikatana... [;)]

Submitted by Aven on Sun, 20/06/04 - 7:43 PM Permalink

Damn. How could I have forgotten Mister Romero's bastard child :p There was also Phantasmagoria and pretty much every "Interactive Movie" that was ever released during the mid-nineties :) See DaMunkee. Although Renegade wasn't a very good game, it still isn't the worst :D

Submitted by GooberMan on Sun, 20/06/04 - 11:02 PM Permalink

Don't be too harsh to Renegade - after all it was better than C&C: Sole Survivor...

Submitted by Anti Gremlin on Mon, 21/06/04 - 12:51 AM Permalink

hehe, I go to Perth a fair bit, usually for NYE, I'll def have to catch up with you next time im over there, and ill be more honored to shout you the first cold one :D

Submitted by bullet21 on Mon, 21/06/04 - 4:19 AM Permalink

I thought renegade was quite good so did my bro.

Submitted by tbag on Tue, 22/06/04 - 10:48 PM Permalink

So now that your arent working for EA anymore, give us all the dirt! [;)]

Good luck man! Also, your going back packing around Australia arent you? If your in Canberra there are a few Sumea fans who would probably appreciate meeting you *Cough, me [:p]*. But then again there are a lot of Sumea fans and members [;)].

Oh and as for Renegade, the last i heard it wasnt to shabby. I might pick it up from the bargain bin sometime if i can find a copy.

Submitted by DaMunkee on Wed, 23/06/04 - 1:23 PM Permalink

Haha, actually, my backpacking trip was last year, that was when I left EA (hehe, wen't a little insane from the crazy work conditions) Then I came back to the US after 6 months and started working for a small game company "Timegate" so, that's where I'm at today (my last day :)) Anyway, I'm not sure when I'll make it through Canberra.

As for bargin bin prices on renegade, I saw it for 7 bucks the other day :)

Submitted by souri on Mon, 28/06/04 - 3:04 PM Permalink

Anyway, I'd be interested I hearing on why you've left the games industry. Did that IGDA Quality of Life paper have anything to do with it?

Submitted by DaMunkee on Mon, 28/06/04 - 3:46 PM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by Souri

Anyway, I'd be interested I hearing on why you've left the games industry. Did that IGDA Quality of Life paper have anything to do with it?

Haha, it was more like living the IGDA QoL paper that did it :) Actually, like I've said before, my last company, Timegate, they treated us good and we were able to have a life. So I guess my decision to leave is A) Timegate is the exception, finding another company like that would be hard to find, b) I already had my 15 minutes of fame with C&C Generals, so now the "coolness" of being a game programmer has lessened. In the end, it's just a job. and c) I get bored doing the same thing for too long :) So, with the move, nows a good time to try out new things. I hear they need explosive experts for the mining companies in WA :)

Essentially, I'm glad I did it. If I had to do it all over again, I would! I mean, C&C Generals was my dream project, so now that I've lived one of my dreams, it's time to move on. Of course, I still enjoy games, and I'm always willing to chat about the expriences and to help out those that are trying to get into the industry (I have LOTS of friends in the US game industry).

In any event, I'll still hang out here and help out when I can :)

Submitted by Daemin on Mon, 28/06/04 - 10:19 PM Permalink

DaMunkee: You should still attend the Australian Game Developers Conference this year, I reckon it will be a blast having you there, meeting the Sumea 'crew' etc :-)

Submitted by DaMunkee on Thu, 01/07/04 - 4:09 PM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by Daemin

DaMunkee: You should still attend the Australian Game Developers Conference this year, I reckon it will be a blast having you there, meeting the Sumea 'crew' etc :-)

Sounds like a plan Daemin :) I was actually planning to present this year, but with the move, I completely forgot about the deadline! Maybe I'll present next year. Hmmmm, what topic would interest you guys?

Anyway, I'll definitely try to attend, I mean hey, i feel like I have a few friends on here :)

Submitted by bullet21 on Thu, 01/07/04 - 6:25 PM Permalink

Two questions:
Did you work on zero hour as well?
and do you have a yankee accent :)?

Submitted by DaMunkee on Fri, 02/07/04 - 12:55 AM Permalink

quote:Originally posted by bullet21

Two questions:
Did you work on zero hour as well?
and do you have a yankee accent :)?

Nope, Zero Hour was completed in LA, that was after I left (they finished that as I was backpacking).
As for your second question, I don't have an accent, all of you guys do :) Just kidding :P Yeah, I spent about 23 of my 26 years in the US so i lost my accent a long long time ago.

Submitted by bullet21 on Fri, 02/07/04 - 1:36 AM Permalink

also did you work on axis and allies? cos it looks awesome.

Edit: while at timgate of course

Submitted by DaMunkee on Thu, 08/07/04 - 2:30 AM Permalink

Hehe, yeah, A&A is coming along great!!!! They had just a little bit longer on it before they are able to print the gold master, but hey, at least A&A and Kohan 2 will actually come out before christmas, unlike some games :) (Doom3 and Half Life 2... yes yes, I know they're suppose to be out before xmas, but hey,I'll believe it when I see it sitting in my hands :) )