21. A Complete Tub of Crap

07/18/14 • 98 min

Guy English returns this week to discuss 3D graphics APIs, so hold on to your butts.

We start with the origins of the GPU, and recount the evolution of graphics APIs. We dig in to what a modern GPU actually does, and then discuss Apple’s new graphics API, Metal. Guy and Nigel reminisce about just how horrible programming for the PlayStation 2 was, we talk latency, and finally Guy explores his relationship with Riddler trophies.

OpenGL
The good but weird Voodoo GPUs
3dfx’ Glide API
Microsoft Direct3D’s long winding path
GLQuake
Retained Mode, an evolutionary dead end in graphics APIs that lives again
The Geforce 3 and programmable shaders
Metal, Apple’s new low-level 3D API
John Carmack on MegaTextures
Guy’s MacWorld article on Metal
Steamclock’s 3D Map of the Internet app
John Carmack’s battle with latency and Oculus Rift
Guy and Rene Ritchie’s excellent podcast, Debug
Batman: Arkham Origins reviews
The Hearthstone tournament that attempted to ban women

Guy English returns this week to discuss 3D graphics APIs, so hold on to your butts.

OpenGL
The good but weird Voodoo GPUs
3dfx’ Glide API
Microsoft Direct3D’s long winding path
GLQuake
Retained Mode, an evolutionary dead end in graphics APIs that lives again
The Geforce 3 and programmable shaders
Metal, Apple’s new low-level 3D API
John Carmack on MegaTextures
Guy’s MacWorld article on Metal
Steamclock’s 3D Map of the Internet app
John Carmack’s battle with latency and Oculus Rift
Guy and Rene Ritchie’s excellent podcast, Debug
Batman: Arkham Origins reviews
The Hearthstone tournament that attempted to ban women

Previous Episode

20. That's Not My Shepard

Brianna Wu and Amanda Warner of Giant Spacekat Games join us to talk about narrative in games. We talk about our favourite storylines, the development of Giant Spacekat’s imminent game Revolution 60, Unreal Engine, hand-crafted animations, and some initial thoughts on the final build of Revolution 60.

Giant Spacekat’s Revolution 60 for iPad
The Isometric Podcast
Journey driving Thatgamecompany to bankruptcy
Unreal Engine’s Matinee system
Parasite Eve
Final Fantasy X
Railroading in RPGs
The Last of Us motion capture outtake
Pete Paquette on using motion capture as a reference for hand-tuned animation
Disney’s use of live reference footage for traditional animation
Revolution 60 tho

Next Episode

22. Games Are Things Made By People

Adam “Atomic” Saltsman joins us to discuss collaboration and sustanability in the world of indie games.

We talk about Adam’s new venture Finji Games, and collaborating with fans, from early access to Earliest Access. We fondly remember Canabalt, remember that critical hits aren’t always commercial hits, and discuss how contracting fills the gaps between projects. We finish by discussing the intense competitive pressure in the indie market, and the daunting task of building a 3D game.