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Geek Culture / My next commercial game is coming out in two days!

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Jeku
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Posted: 20th Aug 2006 22:37 Edited at: 20th Aug 2006 22:38
Hey all,

I don't want to gloat, but I'm really excited about my next commercial game release, Madden 07 PSP, which is going to come out in two days (August 22). My particular job on that one was Front End Programmer, so you'll see my name in the credits if you look

Well, don't want to say much more about it until the game comes out and I see the Metacritic score. I worked very hard on the front end and I think that will be apparent (if people pay attention to front end that is hehee).

Anyways, it's only the PSP version, not others.

http://www.gamespot.com/psp/sports/madden07/index.html
http://psp.ign.com/objects/811/811801.html

What's next for me? Not sure at the moment what I can say, but it's exciting

EDIT:

Just noticed the IGN link has the correct developer name--- EA Canada - Team Fusion, but Gamespot incorrectly lists EA Tiburon. Oh well


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Gamedesign er20
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Posted: 20th Aug 2006 22:39
Cool, can't wait to play it.

Cocacola and Pepsi aren't that differnt. Deal with it.
Megaton Cat
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Posted: 20th Aug 2006 23:18
Shouldn't that be "our" instead of "my"?
Jeku
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Posted: 20th Aug 2006 23:25
No, because it's my next game. That is natural spoken English.

If I said "Our next game's coming out" it seems like I'm referring to my own company, which this doesn't apply.

And anyone with a brain knows that Madden wasn't done by one guy. And I specifically pointed out my job.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Eric T
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Posted: 20th Aug 2006 23:56
Quote: "And anyone with a brain knows that Madden wasn't done by one guy. And I specifically pointed out my job."


So does that mean that madden doesn't have super programming skills and made it all himself like the easter bunny told me long ago?

Sad jokes aside, congrats on game #2.

Kentaree
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Posted: 20th Aug 2006 23:57
Could I ask what your first game was? My first one is nearly complete now, and it will be released in a few months

Fallout
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 00:31 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 00:32
Nice work man! Shame a lot of us are brits and probably have no interest in Madden games. Maybe it'll inspire a few of us to give em a go! Time to try something other than Cricket and crown green bowls.

David T
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 00:37 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 00:38
Quote: "No, because it's my next game. That is natural spoken English.

If I said "Our next game's coming out" it seems like I'm referring to my own company, which this doesn't apply.

And anyone with a brain knows that Madden wasn't done by one guy. And I specifically pointed out my job."


I think he was joking?


From the screens I've seen the UI looks good. What's the PSP like to code for?

Hobgoblin Lord
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 01:24
Jeku, who is the programmer that works on the "Magical fumble"? You know when you are ahead of the computer and this mystery mode turns on and your guys act like they are carrying a greased pig.

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Xander
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 01:32
Congratulations! I don't play much for sports games...but I had friends my freshman year of college who played Madden all day. If I meet more people like that, I can tell them I know someone who worked on it, haha.

Xander Moser - Bolt Software - Firewall
Jeku
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 02:06
Quote: "Could I ask what your first game was? My first one is nearly complete now, and it will be released in a few months"


Cool, congrats. My first was NHL 2004--- did additional programming for the PC version.

Quote: "I think he was joking?"


Yah I know, but he's always sarcastic and sometimes irritating to say the least

Quote: "From the screens I've seen the UI looks good. What's the PSP like to code for?"


Thanks The PSP is fun, but code is code and once you're used to a platform's quirks there's a lot you can do with it Obviously things must be scaled down for handhelds, but I'm overly impressed with the rendering on this little device.

Quote: "Jeku, who is the programmer that works on the "Magical fumble"? You know when you are ahead of the computer and this mystery mode turns on and your guys act like they are carrying a greased pig."


No idea--- I'm not a Madden fan so odds are I wouldn't notice that anyways hehe.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
dab
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 02:13
Quote: "My particular job on that one was Front End Programmer"


What does that mean you programmed?

And, did you get interviewed!
Jeku
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 02:19 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 02:20
Quote: "What does that mean you programmed?"


Front end deals with all the menus, pause menus, in-game overlays, and stuff like that. It might seem small, but you can count hundreds of individual ones in this game. And just switching from one to the other is boring, so we need to transition them nicely, have things fly around, etc. Considering they revamp it every year, it's tremendous. Like I said, a lot of work

Quote: "And, did you get interviewed!"


Nope--- I just walked into EA one day, pulled up a computer and got the job done. Funny how that works, eh?


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Teh Go0rfmeister
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 02:54
omg

you work for EA?

SCUMBAG!!!!!

Zerk
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 03:06 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 03:07
Quote: "omg

you work for EA?

SCUMBAG!!!!!
"


hahaha I work for DICE and EA baught us out so I'll be a scumbag too come September!

@Jeku
Congrats! I might be getting transferred to Vancouver when the takeover happens so maybe we'll be working together!

I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do. ~Hal-9000
Jeku
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 03:21
@Zerk - That would be sweet--- let me know if you end up moving here!


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Zaibatsu
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 06:24
congrats, i dont play sports games though.

hoe much did they pay you?

Aliens are real! you all laugh at me now and think I'm crazy! but when I post a video of me with an alien, you will all be sorry!!!
dab
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 08:00
Quote: "I don't play sports games though."


I like the soccer games though. I'm betting that you haven't and probably won't be taking part in any soccer game creation though.

That's all awesome!
Jeku
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 08:02
Well we do Fifa Soccer in the same building, so it's an opportunity that might come up in the future.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
dab
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 08:08
nice! You'll have to tell me what it's like if you do get a chance.
Zaibatsu
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 08:17
The closest thing to a sports game I play is an old racing game called Death Rally. In Death Rally, you get guns and spiked bumpers, and mines, and other things to try and blow up the other cars while racing. you can also run over people that get on the track.

Aliens are real! you all laugh at me now and think I'm crazy! but when I post a video of me with an alien, you will all be sorry!!!
Matt Rock
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 08:54
lol hobgoblin, and I mean no disrespect Jeku, but a lot of EA Sports games seem to do that. Fifa 2006, Tiger Woods 2005, and the first two Fight Nights made me extremely angry hehe. I think there's a rogue coder at EA who likes ticking us EA Sports fans off Beating Roy Jones, 6th round, 3 knock downs, almost full health and stamina... then pow, 1 punch KO. And if I could show you the "magic ball" occurence in Tiger Woods '05 you'd laugh your buns off hehe, the ball is approaching, perfectly straight... then it stops, turns away, and goes the other way, as if it bounced off of something. And I doubt that was bad collision... Watch your back Jeku, there's a rogue in your midsts!

Congrats on the new game. I'm not a madden fan but I'll borrow it and give it a spin


"In an interstellar burst, I'm back to save the universe"
Jeku
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 10:06
Well--- a rogue programmer would be quite impossible, seeing as how everything gameplay related has to go through the producers first--- but nice try

Yah, honestly, I'm just looking forward to seeing what game is next. I'm hoping to work on the Wii, but *everyone* wants to hehehe..


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Zeus
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 16:13
THis is really for psp? How do you format those games?

Kentaree
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 16:18
Jeku, cool I'm a frontend programmer too at the moment, although I'll probably get a different job for the next game, we have a fairly small team

MiR
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 16:25 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 16:42
Unlucky. Isn´t the menu the only thing they change each year? The rest of the programmers are just sitting around drinking beer.
Seriously, I hope you get to work with Nintendo´s Wii next. Should be fun if a tad messy.
Ok maybe that wasn´t so serious but I tried.

Edit I was talking to Jeku incase there´s any confusion.
Double Edit: Kentaree, Care to share the name of the game you´re working on?

Need path finding in your games? Have a look at the tutorials on Pathfinding.
Jeku
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 19:23
@Kentaree - That's cool I've noticed over the years how the FE is the most overlooked part of a game. Nobody comments ont he FE in game reviews--- unfortunate but true.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Kentaree
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 19:26
True, I've been fortunate to work on a game where the FE is an important part of the gameplay, but it is easily the most underestimated part of any game.

As a vaguely relative sidenote, have you seen the frontend on xbox live? It sucks

Miguel Melo
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 23:14
Quote: "omg

you work for EA?

SCUMBAG!!!!!"


I worked for EA for 2 years and then decided to leave. Trust me, it's not what it's cracked up to be.

I have vague plans for World Domination
Hawkeye
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 23:17
The only thing that is never not been as cracked up as it isn'st made not to be to be is crack, not like I know or anything.


I am but mad north north-west; when the wind is southerly I know a hawk from a handsaw - Hamlet, Hamlet
Drew G
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 23:24 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 23:29
Quote: "Yah, honestly, I'm just looking forward to seeing what game is next. I'm hoping to work on the Wii, but *everyone* wants to hehehe.."

OMG. You are already working on your next project for PSP, you already told me, unless you finished that one already. You know, the one you can't say much about. Good Luck

EDIT : Are you still angry at me? Or does this mean you'll never un block me from MSN? Sorry about my last conversation with you.
Saikoro
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Posted: 21st Aug 2006 23:51 Edited at: 21st Aug 2006 23:52
Congrats Jeku, it must be really nice to have a product you helped make played by hundreds of thousands =)

Quote: "EDIT : Are you still angry at me? Or does this mean you'll never un block me from MSN? Sorry about my last conversation with you."

Will you ever shut up about that?


Matt Rock
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 00:38
About the rogue programmer: Why do they do that then? Not that I'm trying to knock your company or anything, but EA Sports titles are seemingly notorious for stuff like that. But no game can be perfect... maybe they're just glitches, but the *nature* of sports games is such that people pay more attention to smaller details (or something).

And I wasn't "trying" anything lol, I was just trying to point out that someone might have a grudge against sports games But you've revealed yourself as the culprit now, it's too late Jake, I'm on to you!


"In an interstellar burst, I'm back to save the universe"
Jeku
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 01:28 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2006 01:35
Quote: "Trust me, it's not what it's cracked up to be."


Yeah, some people have bad experiences there, but that goes without saying at *any* company. I've never had a bad experience there yet, and I haven't worked a lot of overtime, so either I'm just lucky or the complainers are full of crap

Quote: "OMG. You are already working on your next project for PSP, you already told me, unless you finished that one already. You know, the one you can't say much about. Good Luck"


Yes, you are right. I worked on another project after Madden and I'm not going to say what it is because I can't find the listing on Gamespot, and I won't be on the credits anyways. And I know for a fact I didn't tell you what it was either.

Quote: "But no game can be perfect... maybe they're just glitches"


Exactly--- just think about how huge a product like Madden is. They're always adding new things every year. Well I think people overly-analyze EA titles and notice little things that perhaps one wouldn't care about if 2K Games released it under their brand. But seriously, the *only* sports game I like to play is NHL so those little AI glitches for the other titles don't affect me.

If I was an AI programmer on a title then I could take your criticisms to heart. Now, if you find the front end unbearable on a title that I worked on, I would be concerned

EDIT:

@Drew G - No, I am not unblocking you, and I'd appreciate if you stop trying to communicate with me. I didn't like it when you threatened me and said you were going to say I spammed you. Good luck in the future, but leave me alone.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Matt Rock
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 01:36
The issues are usually small and they only really *annoy* me in games like FIFA. I only ever play Tiger Woods with my girlfriend because she's a golf junky (god... help... me...), and so any glitches we encounter there are just funny. In Fight Night they're bearable because stuff like that actually happens in boxing all the time. FIFA is the only game I take so seriously that I get bothered when a glitch ruins my otherwise perfect score. But eh, what can you do hehe.

how many people worked on Madden? If you don't know exactly, just your rough guess. My cousin is FASCINATED with you now. Everything is Jeku this, Jeku that lol. You're his new hero. Madden is his "favo-it" game so when he read bits of this thread over my shoulder, he's filled with questions for you lol. And even when I want to answer them on your behalf just to keep him from forcing me to flood the thread, he won't care lol, it has to be from you So congrats, you have a 6-year old fan club now


"In an interstellar burst, I'm back to save the universe"
Xenocythe
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 01:37
Holy Cow, I didn't know you were a programmer who worked for actual companies, I mean how frequently do you see that around here?


Great Jog, and Good luck.

Applyby has Flies in his Eyes.
Drew G
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 02:16
Quote: "@Drew G - No, I am not unblocking you, and I'd appreciate if you stop trying to communicate with me. I didn't like it when you threatened me and said you were going to say I spammed you. Good luck in the future, but leave me alone."

Fine, if you don't want to communicate. I didn't know you didn't like that, and sorry for that.
indi
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 06:24
Im sorry but thats Freakin Awesome Jeku.!!!
Congrats man.

thats a pretty neat area as well, menu interface and design, imagine the menu systems
in about ten years from now, compared to the good old arcade menus of yesterday.

Jeku
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 06:45
Thanks indi! The Interface Designers I work with are incredibly talented, and our game would look like crap without them


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
dab
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 08:00
Quote: "Thanks indi! The Interface Designers I work with are incredibly talented, and our game would look like crap without them"


So does that mean that they *basically* draw images, and you program those images to do something? OR do they do more than that. But it still sounds like a hard job for both of you. (I never knew so much work was put into a menu lol)
Jeku
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 09:15
Yah, the Interface Designer does more than just draw the images. They have to completely reskin all the screens with their own designs and theme, and they have to take into account useability. I can't imagine the complex job they have.


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Miguel Melo
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 11:26 Edited at: 22nd Aug 2006 22:56
Quote: "Yeah, some people have bad experiences there, but that goes without saying at *any* company. I've never had a bad experience there yet, and I haven't worked a lot of overtime, so either I'm just lucky or the complainers are full of crap "




I must admit that my beef with EA was not the long hours: that certainly wasn't a problem at EAUK, at least between 95 and 97 (yeah, it was _that_ long ago ehehe).

My problem was the arrogance and general "you work for EA so you have a dept of gratitude, you ungrateful sod" attitude towards dev people. The curious thing is you got that from the middle managment people: the higher up you went the easier going people became. I had quite a few chats with Mark Lewis and a couple other american EA top-wigs and they were all down to earth...

Anyway, that's all ancient history. Today I must congratulate you for your release! Weh, hey!

I have vague plans for World Domination
Dazzag
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Posted: 22nd Aug 2006 19:25
Quote: ""you work for EA so you have a dept of gratitude, you ungrateful sod""
I think most larger companies try that angle. The company I work for is far up it's own **** it is unbelievable what they say at times. Reality check is always fun (say when the stock market prices dropped like a rock and never fully recovered). Morons.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
Jiffy
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Posted: 24th Aug 2006 15:10 Edited at: 24th Aug 2006 15:11
Woah, it got an 8.0 on IGN!

Pretty good if you ask me , a bit disappointing they don't have any screenshots of the interface though, heh. Good job on the game; from everything I've seen and heard, it plays great. The menus are super smooth too .


Evil has a new name. Demo out now!
Ron Erickson
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Posted: 24th Aug 2006 16:01
Congrats Jeku.

I am a huge NFL fan and have been playing Madden for years. I was kind of dissapointed when EA took the solo NFL licensing last year though. The NFL2K series was really starting to produce a good product. Competition is always good for the end user. I didn't buy Madden last year because of that. I probably won't buy it this year either unless I buy a X-box 360 sometime soon. I doubt that will happen this year because the next thing on my shopping list is a new plasma or LCD tv.
Anyway, it would be cool to work on a game that you are a fan of. I know that isn't really the case for you, but it would be for me. I really should consider trying to break into the game industry myself at some point, but it would be too hard to displace my family at this point. There aren't exactly a lot of game industry opportunities in Pittsburgh. lol
Well... Good job! Congrats.

WOLF

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Eric T
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Posted: 24th Aug 2006 16:44
Played it in gamestop, was on the demo PSP.

Looked nice, also let the credits roll and saw your name, was sexy.

Jeku
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Posted: 24th Aug 2006 20:56
Quote: "Woah, it got an 8.0 on IGN!"


Sweet!

Quote: "Congrats Jeku."


Thanks Wolf!

Quote: "The NFL2K series was really starting to produce a good product."


Yah, I wonder what they will do with that engine? Aren't they doing a football game without using the NFL license?

Quote: "Looked nice, also let the credits roll and saw your name, was sexy."


Cool! I'm on vacation so I haven't been able to take a look at the finished product


"I understand creative people. After all, I worked with towel designers." - Ray Kassar, former head of Atari
Jack
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Posted: 24th Aug 2006 21:12
n1

1337

alex 1337
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Posted: 25th Aug 2006 05:59
Uhh can you get me a free copy?
Drew G
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Posted: 25th Aug 2006 07:24
Me Too? J/K You hate me. You would never do that for someone like me.

BTW -
Quote: "Cool! I'm on vacation so I haven't been able to take a look at the finished product"


I'm just wondering,(NO FOR PETE'S SAKE I'M NOT A STALKER) by any chance, are you vacationing near Costa Mesa/Santa Ana, California?

Sorry if I'm infridging on your rights.

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