"Behind The Code": W. Lee (Part 1/2)

[DanQ]

The first part of the first "Behind The Code" interview set, where ex-<B>Activision</B>ers talk with <B>Apolyton CS</B>' <A HREF="mailto:locutus@apolyton.net">Locutus</A> about the <I>Call To Power</I> series and in particular the second title in light of its pending source code release, <A HREF="http://apolyton.net/misc/interviews/btc_lee-1.shtml" TARGET="_new">is now online</A>.

Winnie "St. Swithin" Lee was on the <I>Civilization: Call To Power</I> design team along with James Farley, Jason Feffer and Brad Santos. On <I>Call To Power II</I>, she worked alongside Dan Hagerty and Tony Evans. In looking back, she discusses the highlights and low points of her gaming career in relation to her work on <I>CTP</I>. Blacklisted by the industry for two-and-a-half years running, Lee discusses the good and bad of people and events around her, her positive outclook on the pending release of the <I>Call To Power II</I> source code and why she cannot play the games she worked so hard to contribute on.

The second and final part of the one-on-one chat with Lee will be posted on <U>August 21st</U>. Comments on the first instalment are welcomed in this thread.

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Dan; Apolyton CS

[Atahualpa]

nice

nevertheless I'd like to hear more info on the actual development of C:CTP and CTP2. What problems did they run into with the code? What were the worst limitations and work arounds?
And finally what are the most basic things to consider when trying to work with the code? What is considered to be the "best" part of the CTP2 source?

ata

[J Bytheway]

Thanks for that, to all involved .

I look forward eagerly to part 2 . You imply that there may be more such interviews - is that a certainty, or a hope?

[Maquiladora]

Indeed id like to hear what they had planned if they had time to do everything they wanted with the game. (besides the bits that can already be found in the txt files)

[child of Thor]

Very interesting And in some small way makes up for the 'pulled' chat from the other day
Im sad that it appears St.Swithin was really roasted by the industry.....hmmm i think 'they' deserve a stars wars quote,
'The more systems[people,customers etc] you squeeze in your grip, the more will slip through your fingers'.

We have a thing called the 'Internet' these days guys, so you should all remember that ancient saying,
'What goes around, comes around'.

[ahenobarb]

dp

[Solver]

Wouter.

[centrifuge]

Good Stuff, Good Stuff

[hexagonian]

As usual, a sad story of a game rushed out the door before it is completed, but based on the problems that Activision had at the time, they had to ship before Christmas to recoup their investment. So it is not suprising that when initial sales probably did not meet the goals, they pulled the plug.

That's business...the key words being that Activsion realized that 'development was unprofitable' to them.

I'm still amazed that CTP2 actually sold 750,000 copies. I was under the impression that it was 1/10 of that figure.

Either way it does not come close to the civ3 numbers. Stick Sid's name on a box and you are guaranteed 1,000,000 right off the bat.

[Dale]

Winnie:

It is indeed a testament to the game that we have taken "your baby" and modified it. I for one stand and applaud the work you guys did. This game has had me keep coming back to it for 2.5 years now, and my fiance hates it, especially during the period I was writing SAP2 and WAW mods.

Thanks heaps.

[Solver]

Stick Sid's name on a box and you are guaranteed 1,000,000 right off the bat.

Well, Sid deserved it. Colonization, Civ 1, Pirates... masterpieces.

[DanQ]

Originally posted by J Bytheway
[..]

You imply that there may be more such interviews - is that a certainty, or a hope?

It's a certainty.



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Dan; Apolyton CS

[Immortal Wombat]

cool Thanks to all.

[Frozzy]

Wonderful Locutus and Dan

I eagerly await the next installment. Who are the other coders you are planning to inderview? I assume Ogre is one?

[DanQ]

Originally posted by Frozzy
[..] Who are the other coders you are planning to inderview?

Just wait and see...



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Dan; Apolyton CS