Has on-line/networked gaming revolutionized the computer gaming business?
Kent: I think it’s more like “evolutionized”. It was inevitable. People want to play against each other. As good as various AIs get in the different genres, how much fun is it really to get taunted by ReaperBots? You know it’s just a canned comment. But when your officemate breaks out into maniacal laughter because he just turned you into a settling cloud of blood particles with a rocket to the face, well, THAT’s fun! Well, fun for someone, anyway. CSS: What piece of advice would you offer to the students who are interested in getting into your line of work? Kent: If you want to be a good programmer, you really do have to study. Work hard. Build your skills. Read the industry literature — not just the gaming magazines, but the computer magazines. There are all too many programmers in the world who really don’t know what the state of the art is. When I talk to someone who doesn’t understand basic algorithms and when to use them, I’m amazed. It’s the equivalent of a professional carpent
