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[ welcome ]
[ the game ]
[ requirements ]
[ controls ]
[ press ]
:: the team ::
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| [ about | the team | Phil Carlisle ] |
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Network & Additional Programming
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Network Programmer of Worms2
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Tell us how you got involved in the computer industry and what have you
worked on before?
I pretty much played with computers since I was about 10, a friend got an
Atari 400, with an ace membrane keyboard, from that day on I was hooked,
just watching all those cartridge games load INSTANTLY and being soooo
good... I think pole position was my favourite.
Are computers your life? Or do you do other things?
Hmmm, I like to do other things, but I am driven by my love of computers,
most of what I've done for the last few years has been computer based. I
guess if I had a choice to do something else, I guess it would be to travel
(preferably as a millionaire playboy) :)
You worked on Worms 2, could you explain what you did and what it takes
to produce a hit game?
I worked on all aspects of the network code, in game, server, frontend
stuff... I also did a few of the parts of the frontend. In terms of hit
games, its a bit hit and miss, I guess the main thing is dedication, if
you're dedicated and work hard enough, and long enough, and have ANY sort of
clue... eventually you will have a hit game. Unfortunately these days, it
also comes down to good marketing. Tomb Raider being a typical example of a
marketing lead success.
Is there anyone you respect in the computer industry? If so, who?
Well, I think there are a few really talented people, people who are
naturally talented like Karl (Morton) and a few friends, but I also respect
people who work hard at it, I think if people are prepared to learn, and put
in effort, then they deserve my respect.
What was the first computer program you ever wrote?
It was most likely a basic program on the Atari 400... the usual hello
world. The first really useful program I wrote was an assembler for Atari
800.
When you were a young chap, did you type in all them data statements from the
early computer magazines only to find the game didn't work?
Oh yeah, and more often than not, I saved it to tape only to find the tape
corrupted! :) I wrote the assembler so that I didnt have to keep re-typing
all those peek and pokes of machine code.
Apart from Worms 2 and any other Team17 game, what are you currently
playing?
'Age of Empires' is a good one, big respect to Ensemble Studio's for that
one, I really dont get much time to actually play games now. Although if I
do get time, I prefer more strategic games. Obviously multi-player games are
something I am very interested in, but the whole multi-player thing is a
little stale right now, I hope we can change that with the things we create
from now on.
What are your fave games of all time then?
Hmmm, I loved Tie Fighter, I love the immersion that Lucas Arts managed in
that game. I like a lot of strategy games (Red Alert/C&C), I like games
with strong AI, but I guess I dont really have a favourite of all time..
that would be too limiting.
Do you believe in the hype that old games were the best, or do you think
it's all in the mind?
I dont think something like a 16k game like 'Space Invaders' is better than
say, wing commander or whatever, I think that those games DO have something
to teach us about keeping the focus in the right place... So many games are
re-workings of old games, and often they feel worse than the old games, I
think that's because they lose the focus of the game, by trying to put too
much into it... It's like they take (for example) 'Space Invaders', and then
they add moving bases, then they add smart bombs etc.... in the end, the
game isn't as fun because the idea of having this race against time and
having to shoot stuff is lost completely.
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| [ about | the team ] |
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Team17 would like to extend their thanks to all who played a big part in Worms2 and the success of the
original game, not least the thousands that gave us much valued feedback on our web-site.
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| Producer |
[ Martyn Brown ]
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| Development |
Craig Jones
Paul Kilburn
Paul Sharp
Espen Lyngaas
David Watson
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| Artists |
[ Danny Cartwright ]
Animation, Graphic Design & Additional Background Art
[ Rico Holmes ]
Lead Background Artist
[ Cris Blyth ]
Video Sequence Design, Animation & Production
[ Rory Little ]
Modelling Support
[ Mark Taylor ]
Modelling Support
Paul Robinson
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| Programmers |
[ Karl Morton ]
Game Code Design & Lead Programming
[ Colin Surridge ]
Menu System & Network GUI Design
[ Phil Carlisle ]
Network & Additional Programming
Rob Hill
Martin Randall
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| Sound and Music |
Bjorn Lynne
Allister Brimble
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| Web Design |
Paul James
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| Quality Assurance |
Paul Field
Paul Dunstan
Kelvin Aston
John Eggett
Mark Baldwin
Grant Towell
Andy Aveyard
Guy Palmer
Emma Aspinall
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| Original Concept |
[ Andy Davidson ]
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