From Text Adventures to Software Development

Legendary graphics programmer Sean Barrett shares his remarkable journey — starting in early game development, pushing graphics boundaries at Looking Glass Studios, and later creating the iconic STB libraries. We explore everything from postscript printers to portal engines and pioneering indie game jams. This episode dives deep into the technical craft and creative mindset behind some of the most influential graphics work in gaming history. Join us!

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Wookash Podcast

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00:00 Intro

00:41 Early programming & MUDs

08:50 Wildest printer software

39:32 Joining Looking Glass

57:31 Terra Nova rendering tricks

01:18:41 THIEF GRAPHICS ENGINE BEGINS

01:36:44 Portal and cells

02:51:30 Perspective projection mapping

03:05:56 THIEF GRAPHICS ENGINE ENDS

03:16:08 First Indie Game Jams

03:42:57 LEGENDARY STB LIBRARIES

04:59:44 Outro