What is the next *big thing* youre working on right now? Or is it just your voxel engine?
Also, are you a better programmer than your brother?
Awesoken at
What is the next *big thing* youre working on right now? Or is it just your voxel engine?
In 1999, I thought a pure voxel engine would be the next big thing. Well, maybe not, but I still wanted to write one anyway. : ) I didn't worry about speed or memory issues, because hey, I'm pretty good at optimizing code. I also didn't worry about hardware accelerators because they didn't accelerate much at the time - and I didn't think they would ever become popular. How wrong I was.
Like the solar panels on my roof, things in theory don't always turn out to be practical. Just about every game idea had to be discarded because it was either too slow, or too bloated to fit in memory. For example, even something as simple as animated walls wouldn't work because it would require every voxel of the object to be modified for every frame. How could a game be successful without supporting even the simplest of features from the Build Engine? A completely new game concept might still work, but I have no idea what that would be.
If you ask me, I think the next big thing will be some kind of hybrid polygon/voxel engine. But you really shouldn't be asking me. I don't keep up with any of the latest games anymore.
Also, are you a better programmer than your brother?
That depends on how you judge programming talent. If you're in need of a customized database/web application written in VBScript (that's what he does), then he wins. If you judge by our current salary, then he wins again. For the last 5 years, I've just been giving away my stuff for free. I haven't made a cent from anything on my website.
KillerQ13 at
Awesoken said
For example, even something as simple as animated walls wouldn't work because it would require every voxel of the object to be modified for every frame.
I'm sure you thought of a per voxel rendering routine but have you considered using a hardware pixel shader? I'm not sure if pixel shaders support 2D rendering though. Of course this would take Voxlap a step away from pure software and many systems wouldn't support it.
Also, what about using the faster sprite voxel renderer with per voxel routines?
At worst, could you use flat animated sprites snapped to flat surfaces like the Build engine?
Awesoken at
have you considered using a hardware pixel shader? ... many systems wouldn't support it.
I would try it if my system supported it. I've been too lazy to upgrade. : /
what about using the faster sprite voxel renderer with per voxel routines?
You mean render each voxel of the world using bounded boxes? Tried it. It's much slower than raycasting.
At worst, could you use flat animated sprites snapped to flat surfaces like the Build engine?
...or I could use standard KV6 voxel sprites. Either way, using sprites for animated walls is a bad solution. Sprites are pure overdraw, so they can only be used for small areas - and that's the same problem as before.
DrFunkenstien at
So what have you been working on lately, Ken? Apart from working with Jonathon Fowler...?
ChEeZeBaLL at
DrFunkenstien said
So what have you been working on lately, Ken? Apart from working with Jonathon Fowler...?
I was wondering the same thing. What do you do these days? Who do you work for and how do you make money?
Anonymous at
ChEeZeBaLL said
DrFunkenstien said
So what have you been working on lately, Ken? Apart from working with Jonathon Fowler...?
I was wondering the same thing. What do you do these days? Who do you work for and how do you make money?
Ehhh, I think he spends his time maintaining his website and tinkering with his voxel engine :) And i dont think he (infact he said he doesnt) works... he's made all the dough he needs from licensing his Build engine 8)
Seriously, Ken, how much did you make from the engine? I bet youre a millionaire? Haha...
cragtek at
Guest said
Seriously, Ken, how much did you make from the engine? I bet youre a millionaire? Haha...
If Ken answers that I'll eat my hat. Some things you just shouldn't ask.
Edited at
Awesoken at
I did well from Build. That's all I'm going to say. Also, I wouldn't want to risk the health of Cragtek - eating hat has a tendency to cause indigestion. Oh yeah, and there's the fact that it's none of your business : P
As for what I'm working on lately, Guest described it pretty well.
KillerQ13 at
More questions for Ken...like one would need more:
1. Are you a nocturnal person?
2. Have you ever been recognized in person or given out an autograph?
3. What do you like to drink?
4. Do you cook? (Microwave counts in my book)
5. Would you describe a typical day? (Is it something along the lines of eat, program, sleep, rinse, repeat?)
6. Why is the sky blue?
Awesoken at
Are you a nocturnal person?
Yes. I'm always wide awake for Conan : )
Have you ever been recognized in person or given out an autograph?
No, I've never been recognized in person. The closest thing to that was when I was wearing a "Duke Nukem 3D, programmer" shirt that 3DR gave me. Some guy on the street saw it and asked if I was involved with the project. If I wanted to be recognized, I would have to introduce myself and that would kill all the fun. I can't ever remember giving out autographs in person.
What do you like to drink?
In order of volume actually consumed: milk, water, apple juice, orange juice, soda, tea. I never drink coffee or alcoholic beverages.
Do you cook? (Microwave counts in my book)
Not really, but according to you, yes. I'm more of a dish-washing person. I try to hyperthread and pipeline the process by washing a few dishes with each hand. : P
Would you describe a typical day? (Is it something along the lines of eat, program, sleep, rinse, repeat?)
Add some TV to the list and you've pretty much summed it up. I also play some volleyball and softball (when in season).
Why is the sky blue?
Basically, the Earth's atmosphere scatters blue light more than the other visible colors.
Edited at
masterlee at
Why is the sky blue?
They say that the Earth's atmosphere absorbs or scatters most of the electromagnetic radiation from the lower visible wavelengths (such as red/yellow/green).
Oh and thought it was cause the BlueMeainies...
BarrenSoul at
masterlee said
Oh and thought it was cause the BlueMeainies...
Great movie :) "oh no it's the bluie meanies!"
it's blue because the atmopshere is thin enough not to block out the blue wave length, this can be proven by the fact that a setting sun produces red light, this is because red light has a higher wavelength (higher right? I've forgotten) and can more easily pass through the atmosphere where's the blue light gets absorbed on the way to your eyes :)
JonoF at
http://science.howstuffworks.com/question39.htm
KillerQ13 at
Yes. I'm always wide awake for Conan : )
Yay! Conan! Quality late night comedy.
In order of volume actually consumed: milk, water, apple juice, orange juice, soda, tea. I never drink coffee or alcoholic beverages.
I suppose caffeine is a low priority item. At least you make up for it with juice. Mmmm...juice. Just don't leave milk lying around like my friend does. He keeps trying to make cottage cheese or yogurt.
*** The sky question was more of a joke but thanks anyways guys.
Silhouette of a Can at
Speaking of light, why does red and green make yellow?
BarrenSoul at
it all has to do with frequency and how our brain interpret the light that hits our eyes :)
Silhouette of a Can at
BarrenSoul said
it all has to do with frequency and how our brain interpret the light that hits our eyes :)
well obviously :roll:
Anonymous at
KillerQ13 said
More questions for Ken...
1. Are you a nocturnal person?
...
Funny, there was an anime-style "click-it-through"-type game called "Nocturnal Illusions". And the main character's name was... Ken! :)))
GothOtaku at
Anonymous said
Funny, there was an anime-style "click-it-through"-type game called "Nocturnal Illusions". And the main character's name was... Ken! :)))
Haha, I wonder if Ken's life follows the game at all and you are one dirty, dirty man for knowing that game even exists. :twisted:
Anonymous at
GothOtaku said
Anonymous said
Funny, there was an anime-style "click-it-through"-type game called "Nocturnal Illusions". And the main character's name was... Ken! :)))
Haha, I wonder if Ken's life follows the game at all and you are one dirty, dirty man for knowing that game even exists. :twisted:
Actually it's an anime-style "click-it-through"-type adventure game - it's like a quest, but you really do not choose anything. You just need either to click through all of the game menu options (LOOK, WALK, TALK, ASK, THINK, etc) or to be in the right place in the right time.
The game features some nicely drawn anime-style CG and staggering astonishing music (it's MIDI, but nevertheless it's really worth checkin' it)
It also features ghosts, spirits, daemons and other nocturnal characters (Have you ever met any of them, Ken? :) ).
Of course, any similarity to the name of the main character is purely coincidental and unintentional.
I don't think that the game follows AwesoKen's life at all - in the game all characters die in the end: one is shot right through the chest with a shotgun and the rest are burnt alive in a fire...
2 GothOtaku: Anata mo anime no otaku desu ka? :)
Seriously though, Ken, are you really a nocturnal person?
Have ever found yourself coding all night long untill clock read something about 4:00 or 5:00 AM?
What are the most productive and efficient working hours for you?
Awesoken at
Seriously though, Ken, are you really a nocturnal person?
What are you implying? Are you going to ask if I'm cold-blooded next? My schedule is by choice, not because of nature. I said yes simply because I am on a later schedule than most people.
Have ever found yourself coding all night long untill clock read something about 4:00 or 5:00 AM?
Yes. I remember last night like it was today : )
What are the most productive and efficient working hours for you?
I would have to say the hours just before I sleep are the most efficient ones. I often spend the first few hours of my day responding to e-mails or forums.
masterlee at
And it thougt he was the Ken from Street Fighter 2. When you play the game with Ken to the end, you will get a screen where stants that is going to work on BUILD engine after finishing M.Bison.
The Commander at
Ok... seeing we are all asking questions here.
Ken.
What do you enjoy better:?
A: KFC
B: MC Donalds
C: Burger King (Mine, if your interested)
D: Sub Way (I Can't Stand That)
E: Fish & Chips
F: None Of The Above
G: Other
Woooooo 69 Posts, What an ausome number! lol
Awesoken at
This is a silly question. I don't eat much fast food, but if I had to choose from your list, I'd say the one I prefer most is Subway. McD's & BK both have too much fat for my liking.
The Commander at
So you obvisley like to keep your self in nice healthy shape then. ??? :D
Cryoburner at
Subway's alright, but I'm usually willing to eat at less healthy places when it comes to restaurants. So long as it's in moderation, it shouldn't be a problem. For a while a couple years ago, I was limiting myself to around 10 to 20% of the recommended daily fat intake, but ended up going a little further underweight than I prefer. Now, I probably get around 50% of the recommended fat intake,which seems a bit healthier. We do need some fat, after all. : )
By the way, you mentioned you drink a lot of milk, so I was wondering which percent milk you use. I usually drink 1/2% milk, since it is quite low in fat while still retaining much of the flavor. I've personally never been a fan of completely fat free milk. Chocolate milk can be fun too, although I don't have that very often.
Awesoken at
I was wondering which percent milk you use
This is when you know a thread is overly mature. Wow. What a useless question! This is the kind of crap that belongs on dating profiles. It reminds me of a certain episode in Leisure Suit Larry where the storekeeper goes on and on asking Larry whether he wants purple or magenta, polka-dotted or striped condoms, etc... The point is: knowing the foods I eat isn't going to make anyone a better programmer. : )
maniac1701 at
i looked at my new DSL modem this morning (i thought it was supposed to be activated today and it wasn't) and there was a red light next to a green light but i didn't have my contacts in yet and i thought i saw a yellow light but when i got closer i noticed it was just red and green not yellow so as strange as it sounds it does work
Silhouette of a Can said
Speaking of light, why does red and green make yellow?
Cryoburner at
Heh heh heh... I was just curious as to how far you would go answering all these stupid questions. You answered the fast food one, so I had to push the limit a bit further. Now, we know the limit is somewhere between your favorite fast food restaurant, and your percentage of milkfat consumed, so we can work from there. : P
Technically, I never even asked a question though. Rather, I was making a statement that I simply wondered about it. : D