On console development
In-game video playback is a feature that has been requested for a while, can you give us any more information about it?Filip: Video playback is based on the 'Theora' open-source codec. Theora allows us to support any video format needed, and furthermore, we can easily port it to any different platform in the future. The community might also be interested in the fact that video is played in a resource. We still don't support the video playback as a part of 3D scene, which would be much harder to achieve.
You've worked on the British Armed Forces (BAF) DLC as well. What features did you work on?
Lukáš: My task on BAF comprised of support to final distribution and data preparation. As this has been the first real DLC, we had to alter the installation process for the online distribution. I also keep supporting the localization tools, which was naturally used for BAF as well.
You haven't worked in Brno office for too long. So, How's life of game programmer compared to your previous job?
Filip: I work on things I've been always interested in. I definitely enjoy working with people sharing the same passion for computer games. The job of a game programmer is demanding, but it is great to see the results of my work well used in a game.
On the other hand, Lukáš, you've been part of the team for a long time.
Can you compare the work on Arma products compared to the team's previous projects? (advantages, disadvantages, how hard it is, opinion on the engine)
Lukáš: It’s difficult to compare, generally I would say that main change is that we are now sharing tools, technologies and knowledge across all of BI's studios.
Does the Brno team have any special team-building or socializing events? (breakfasts, barbecue parties, whatever)
Lukáš: Yes, we have Monday breakfasts, in fact, it’s a weekly kick-off meeting with some snacks. We all meet, and the results of last week's work are demonstrated. Occasionally, we have little barbecue after the work, ussually during the summer.
Filip: I'm the new guy to the team, so it's hard to tell. But I must say I really enjoyed the last (my first) barbecue party.
Did you have any experience of BI's games before you started working on them as a part of Bohemia Interactive? (tell truth, no problem)
Lukáš: Yes, I played the first Operation Flashpoint. It felt just "ultimate" - mostly in terms of how deep it was, how much one could do compared to a common shooter game.
Filip: Of course I know Bohemia's Operation Flashpoint - as Lukáš said, it was very different from anything else I've played.
What would be your personal choice of extension in the engine, if you would be given the freedom to do so?
Lukáš: Personally, I’m quite interested in graphical effects myself, so I would go for some additional graphical improvements, more elaborate light and particle effects.
Filip: Actually, we currently work on a lot of extensions of the engine which I'd choose. Personally, I would like to improve the AI behaviour a little.
Is console development something that you would be interested in moving toward in the future?
Lukáš: It definitely requires different approach compared to PC games, it’s necessary to deal with different controls and hardware parameters but I think it's interesting and challenging part of the game development. As most developers learn to appreciate these days, there is a big advantage in clearly defined conditions on console hardware.
Filip: The console development is interesting, but there are many hardships which are hard to predict - the hardware might be standardized but the performance is usually much lower compared to an average gaming PC. The different hardware architecture of consoles means it's a challenge.
What kind of career advice would you offer to an aspiring game programmer?
Filip: Always listen to the customer, even if he's a game designer. :)
Arma 2 has a thriving community, what stands out for you?
Lukáš: It's very satisfying to know we have such a mature and productive community enjoying our games and supporting us. Just look at the amount of people playing with scripts and configs - both the quantity and quality of what people make are unbelievable.
In a cruel twist of fate, The Large Hadron Collider creates a time-space vortex, sending humanity back to the stone age. Given the chance to invent computer games all over again, which game would you make?
Lukáš: One of the first games I played was 'Stunts', a racing car game with a built-in track editor. If I could go back and re-invent it, I would add multiplayer option to avoid endless fights with my brother about who's gonna play next, that's for sure.
Filip: It's hard to tell... It would be either 'Deus Ex', 'Baldurs Gate 2' or 'Longest Journey', due to their unique atmosphere.
