Wookash Podcast

Fabien Giesen, a software engineer and graphics expert known for his in-depth technical writing, shares insights from his journey in programming. He discusses the game-changing impact of Turbo Pascal and the challenges with assembly language documentation. Fabien also explains the significance of keyboard debouncing for VR, how he built low-latency display setups, and the evolution of graphics control from DOS to Windows. His experiences range from developing software for Intel's Larrabee GPU to tracing the lineage of engineering teams across major gaming platforms.

In a captivating conversation, Allen Webster, a developer and tools researcher, shares his journey from experimenting with GameMaker to creating Forecoder. He reveals the inspiration behind his innovative coding editor and discusses its unique architecture. Allen explains the challenges of building code intelligence and introduces the concept of C-scripting, which enhances game engine workflows. His vision for modernizing programming tools through richer data structures sparks an engaging exploration of the future of coding.

Nicolas Lopez, engine architect at Ubisoft, delves into the intricacies of the Anvil engine and its role in the Assassin's Creed series. He discusses the benefits of a monorepo approach, which enhances collaboration and streamlines code management. Topics like balancing shared and specific resources, optimizing for GPU vs. CPU, and implementing ray tracing are explored. Nicolas also shares insights into Ubisoft's telemetry systems that help test dynamically changing game environments and the management of vast codebases, all while ensuring performance remains high.

Dennis Gustafsson, a game developer with 25 years of experience, and Ritesh Oedayrajsingh Varma, co-founder of Superluminal, delve into the world of profilers. They explore the differences between sampling and instrumentation profilers, discussing when to use each. Dennis shares insights on early visual profiling techniques from the Amiga era. Ritesh reveals Superluminal's innovative streaming architecture, enabling efficient handling of large capture data. They also highlight strategies for efficient GPU profiling and the importance of visual timelines in multithreading.

Mārtiņš Možeiko, a software engineer renowned for his work on low-level systems and profiling tools, shares insights from his unique journey in tech. He reminisces about self-teaching Basic on vintage PCs and transitioning through Pascal and C++. Mārtiņš discusses building obfuscation technology at Red Kryption, tackling compiler limitations, and his evolution at LG creating a self-driving simulator. His approach to learning emphasizes hands-on experimentation, and he shares thoughts on modern programming and AI coding tools, all while reflecting on his gaming preferences.

In this conversation, Edmund McMillen, the creative mind behind Super Meat Boy and The Binding of Isaac, teams up with programmer Tyler Glaiel, known for his work on Glaiel Games. They delve into Mewgenics, a unique cat-breeding tactical strategy game. Hear about their development process, including turns in cat behavior and environmental interactions. They discuss balancing gameplay, the vast ability pool, and weaving narrative into mechanics, all while emphasizing player creativity. Plus, discover why cats make the perfect thematic choice!

Omar Cornut, a software engineer and the creator of Dear ImGui, shares his journey from learning BASIC to developing an innovative UI library widely used in game dev. He discusses the importance of hands-on learning versus formal education, and how immediate-mode GUI design speeds up development. Omar explains the differences between IMGUI and Dear ImGui, the challenges of maintaining stability, and the rich ecosystem of language bindings. He also reveals exciting future plans for enhanced styling and a new text editor, emphasizing performance and pragmatism in API design.

In this insightful discussion, guests Alex Evans and Anton Mikhailov dive into the intricate world of game architecture. Alex, a veteran programmer from Bullfrog and NVIDIA, emphasizes the importance of rapid iteration in game development. Anton, known for his work on user-friendly creation tools, discusses the balance between immediate feedback and user experience. They explore the nuances of designing effective UIs, the role of debugging systems, and the impact of organizational structure on software. Expect fascinating anecdotes and fresh perspectives on creative flow!

Hey! Nuno Afonso is the sole author of Ark (https://ark-vcs.com) - VCS for games, or for any project that needs to handle binary files really :) I am quite happy that Nuno agreed to talk to me after a bit of hesitation at first! He's extremely fun to talk to, he knows lots of pain of AAA game industry with source control and he made Ark as a response!He also made a live demo for us, right here in the episode!Try Ark at https://ark-vcs.com

Dan Schmidt, an experienced game programmer and designer known for his work on classic titles like Guitar Hero and System Shock, shares his fascinating journey in game development. He discusses his early programming experiences on home computers and how he blended music with computer science at MIT. Dan reveals the intense culture at Looking Glass Studios and the challenges of developing iconic games like Ultima Underworld. He also dives into the creation of Guitar Hero, detailing its innovative mechanics and design philosophy. Finally, he reflects on his transition to Harmonix and the evolution of music games.