Chad Dawson Mini-Interview

Q: What was the last EE-related task you completed?

A: I recently put the finishing touches on the in-game camera scripting tools. They are fully integrated with the rest of our scenario editor and thus give you the power to craft some pretty dynamic cut scenes and camera fly-bys that can automatically adapt to different situations in the game.

Q: Is there something you added to or created for the game, that was not necessarily in the original design, of which you are particularly proud?

A: I've spent a bit of time testing and implementing various collision detection and collision resolution schemes and integrating them with the pathfinder. It was challenging to come up with a system that works well with hundreds of historical units of various shapes and sizes all battling it out at the same time. Many of the tried and true rigid body collision schemes just don't work well for animals and people. I think the system we've come up with works beautifully and I can't wait for players to get their hands on it.

Q: What is your personal favorite feature or part of Empire Earth?

A: Well, I'm kind of partial to the Scenario Editor which is my labor of love, but I'd have to say the dog fighting airplane flight physics and Dan Higgins' wild animal Artificial Intelligence - both are a sight to behold.

Q: What game(s) are you currently playing just for fun? What do you like or dislike about it (them)?

A: You can't go wrong with a good game of Counter-Strike. I've also been working my way through "The Longest Journey" adventure game and am about half way through with DeusEx. The Multiplayer Strike Team here has been schooling me in my RTS skills, so I have been learning some of the more-detailed intricacies of StarCraft, too. Just watching those guys play each other is amazing.

It probably comes as no surprise, but the game I've been having the most fun with recently is Empire Earth! Though we've been playtesting EE for quite a while now, the in-house competition is starting to heat up around here as the final bits of polish and play balance are being put into place. The hundreds of new sounds for the units and the creativeness of the scenarios often catch me off guard. Just the other day I was tracking down an elusive bug at the beginning of one of Eggman's scenarios. The next thing I knew I found myself cursing at the enemy and cheering on my army as they finally overcame their opponents. Of course I quickly composed myself and got back to bug hunting.

Q: Are you a morning person or a night person, and why do you think so?

A: Night person for sure. More often than not I'm the last one out in the wee hours of the morning. The best comput'n is when the owls are hoot'n.

Q: Besides games, what other hobbies or interests do you have?

A: I like to sail, play soccer and most any other sport when I get the time. I also like watching independent and foreign films.