Dream Job Advertised at the Newsgroup

Wing Commander veteran Anthony Sommers posted this Origin job request to alt.games.ultima, alt.games.wing-commander, comp.games.development.programming.algorithms, comp.games.development.programming.misc and comp.sys.ibm.pc.games.space-sim. Who knows what it could be for? Oh, and a GOLD STAR to whomever finds the most asommers references in Wing Commander for tomorrow. There are a bunch...

Origin is searching for a talented and experienced 3D Client Programmer to join us in creating our next original persistent world game.

You will be primarily responsible for coding and implementing new game content as well as extending our current code base. You will work with a team to plan and implement new features and systems, as well as evaluate current systems for optimization and bug fixes.

Responsibilities include design, implementation, tool creation, and maintenance of the real time 3D graphics system. This position also involves keeping current with the latest 3D technology, interfacing with internal and external entities, with possible travel to conferences and shows.

REQUIREMENTS:
· Proficient in C++ / Object Oriented Design
· Solid understanding of / minimum 3 years actual experience developing real-time simulations on the Windows platform
· Strong 3D and mathematical background
· Actual experience using DirectX (primarily Direct3D) or OpenGL graphics APIs
· Ability to quickly adapt existing technology and systems to meet new needs
· Practical experience debugging and optimizing graphics code for 3D graphics
· Thorough problem solver; persistent in identifying sources of problems and fixing those problems without causing additional instability in an existing code project
· Understanding of the importance of / disciplined in using versioning control software
· Team player, able to manage and respond to fast-paced input and requests from multiple levels of team and company management
· Highly documentation-oriented

HIGHLY PREFERRED:
· Shipped at least one professional title within the last 18 months
· Experience developing skeletal-based character systems
· Experience developing efficient scene/world management systems
· Experience developing efficient terrain systems

PREFERRED:
· Understanding of / experience with TCP/IP programming with Windows sockets
· General Windows SDK/MFC programming for building tools for internal use
· Design and implementation of client user interface
· Experience with third-party memory management tools
· Experience in the electronic gaming industry, preferably on the PC side

Located in the scenic hills of Northwest Austin, we offer a unique, casual work environment along with competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package.

For immediate consideration, please send resume to:

Origin Systems
Attn: Anthony L. Sommers, Lead Client Programmer
5918 West Courtyard Drive
Austin, TX 78730
Or send E-Mail to asommers@origin.ea.com

No phone calls, please. Please indicate the job title for which you are applying. We're an equal opportunity employer. All contents ©1998 Electronic Arts, Inc. All rights reserved

Aye, There's The Reference

Congrats to everybody who found the University of Central Florida reference in Pilgrim Stars. You win a GOLD STAR. For those who didn't find it: "Ancient brick buildings with signs identifying them as Library Administration, Biological Sciences, Offworld Sciences, and Humanities and Fine Arts gridled an oval reflection pond about thirty meters across. The captain read: DESIGNATED PILGRIM SAFE ZONE: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, EARTH." (194).

X := Privateer 2?

Starlancer Article

At the beginning of the year I got a glimpse of Starlancer. Now I've gotten to play the early Beta - and it didn't look all that bad.

The Roberts Brothers
Most of you who think of the words 'Space Sim' immediately think of games like X-Wing, Freespace and, of course, the Wing Commander series. With the Wing Commander games we had a lot of fun for a long time. Chris Roberts, the creative mind behind the Wing Commander series, decided to leave ORIGIN to start his own company and with his brother Erin formed Digital Anvil. They have been working on two titles for a while, Starlancer and Freelancer - and guess what kind of games these will be. That's right, space sims! We will have to wait a while on Freelancer, but Starlancer will hit stores in Spring,2000.

Voluntary
Starlancer is set in the 21st century, and space technology is finally advanced enough that the superpowers are working hard at the colonization of the solar system. As you can expect, this brings along the usual problems - it even goes so far that a 3rd World War breaks out, the old rivals once again against each other. The west (USA, UK, France) versus the East (China, Japan, Russia). Here's the important difference compared to other space sims - in Starlancer you don't have to fight alien species or such - rather, you fire your lasers at normal human beings. In the game you play a volunteer who fights alongside other voluntary soldiers in service of the Allies. They are not taken very seriously by the professional pilots. No wonder seeing that you have to work with old junk ships and weaponry. After a few succesful missions you can really show your teeth and will slowly earn respect, better ships and better weapons.

Space-Movie
Starlancer might make you think about Wing Commander, but luckily there are differences. You have to make certain main targets, but besides that there are lots and lots of sub targets which you CAN, but do not have to, attack. Many things can happen during a mission. Sometimes the computer takes over the camera movement - this makes you feel as if you've landed inside an action packed space movie. The graphics are great! With small monitor images of your wingman, a lock on camera of your missiles (you can see what you hit), beautiful space flights, huge space stations, neutrals and planets where lots of things can happen, you don't have to blast every ship in sight. The game will run on a Direct3D engine so that Starlancer will support almost every 3D card. The game will have about 30 hard core single player missions and there are at least 100 ships in the game. Lets hope that's enough, because even though it looks super, this game offers little new. But maybe the fans don't need that and maybe this is just what they are waiting for! Wing Commander fans MUST keep an eye on this title!

Lists, Lists, Lists

It's time to compile some new Wing Commander lists! I'm looking for obscure foods, diseases, races, characters, drugs, and weapons! You will receive credit!

Hermes in Toxin Turmoil