How did you get started in game programming?

"I started with the Descent 1 source code that Parallax released a while back. I thought it would be a great game with hardware acceleration."

Why did you chose the Mac?

"I bought a Apple IIc in college to help with my senior design project. And have been with Apple ever since."

What is your favorite game?

"Descent of course! But Carmageddon is a close second."

What Macs do you currently own? Which is your favorite?

"past: Mac IIcx, Portable, Quadra 605, Quadra 630, Powerbook 1400 present: PowerCenter 150, PowerCenterPro 240, iMac, Powerbook 1999. The 400Mhz Lombard w/DVD is awesome!"

How did you learn Glide/3dfx programming?

"One routine at at time. The glide docs are very good with the intrices of color/texture/alpha combine units so a LOT of experimental code is required to figure things out."

Some say that Apple doesn't have an OpenGL SDK currently, how hard was it to code Descent III for OpenGL?

"There is a Apple OpenGL SDK. Most of it's sample code uses GLUT though with is not a good thing to use with games. Most of the PC OpenGL code works fine getting the last 10% to work is the hardest part."

How did you get your current job?

"The work I did with D1 3Dfx/OpenGL putting in the Input/Sound/Net Sprockets was the biggest factor. The previous programmer did not get very far after 3 months & GSC had a deadline that he did not meet & was not communicating with anyone."

Which do you prefer - OpenGL or Glide? Why?

"OpenGL has a cleaner easier to learn API."

Do you think that OpenGL will become the primary Mac Game API?

"I think both Glide & OpenGL will be around for quite a while."

Are there advantages to Glide over OpenGL or Vice/Versa?

"Glide 16bit dithering is better than ATI OpenGL, Glide is much better cross platform. OpenGL is easier to learn & has a fuller API tool set."

Have you ever though of designing your own game?
If so how would it differ from today's crop of games?

"I have a concept for a game based on the D3 engine, that involves a lot less shooting things up."

What other projects are you working on?

"D3 has my full attention."

When do you think Descent III will ship?

"I'm shooting for September."

What will be the minimum system requirements for Descent III?

"A RagePro or VooDoo1 w/ PPC 604e & 64Mb "

What is your recommended system for best play/graphics?

"VooDoo2/3 or Rage128 w/ 300Mhz G3 & 96+Mb"

What are the features of Descent III that you like best?

"The Robot AI make this game."

Do you know of any plans for an editor for Descent III?

"Yes, Once D3 ships & the PC version is done, I'll start in on the editor. It will probably be shareware as Outrage & GSC are not interested in paying for it though. "

Will you still be updating Descent 1/2 3dfx versions?
(for Voodoo3/Glide 3, etc.)

"Yep, After D3 is out the door, they are paying me after all."

If you could change anything about Apple's existing mac models or OS, what would it be?
(hardware features, video card models, OS features, developer support, SDKs, etc.)

"Get the ATI OpenGL drivers up to speed!"

In closing, what comments or suggestions do you have for Mac gamers to help bring more games to the Mac?

"The petitions do help, & friendly letters to the right people in the game companies can also be beneficial. Learn to code & write them will also work."

I also asked Duane to tell us a little bit about himself and his background:

" I have a BS in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M ('85) and went to work right out of college for NASA at the Johnson Space Center. I started working with an IMI computer and had a Mac on my desktop. We got our first Mac in 1988- a IIcx. Since then we have gone through many Macs and currently have our own LAN.

Aside from computers, I love cycling. I ride my bike in to work every day. I love to ride with my wife on our recumbent tandem. In fact, we just finished a 450 mile ride through East Texas before the Descent 3 project came up. I also enjoy sea kayaking. We often go out on a nearby bayou with our kids or sometimes, I will go out in the surf off Galveston Island.

I have 2 kids (a son 13 and daughter 11). My son is the in house beta tester. My daughter isn't really interested in computers- she is the black sheep of the family. I also have a lovely wife who has put up with me for 15 years and has allowed me to fill our house with computers.
Duane"

Descent 3 Screenshots: I've been asked not to post a 'preview' yet but will show some screenshots to give you an idea of what I was raving about at Macworld. Click on the images to see a 640x480 size screenshot. Note the amazing fog/smoke effects...

From what I've seen in this first beta, Descent III will be a 'must-have' and my pick for one of the best Mac games of 1999. Descent III combines great graphics and great gameplay along with a very high fun factor, something I find missing from many titles today.

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