STEVEN DUNN
SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN
email: sdunn@stevendunn.com
Last update: 16th February 2010
CURRICULUM VITAE
I am a UK based, published senior computer games programmer with 19 years experience of contract work re original projects and software conversions for PC and across various computer games consoles.
My skills include :-
Platforms include :-
Employment History
2004-To
Date
GTR2 (10Tcle) 2006
GT Legends (10Tcle) 2005
2001-2004
Emergency Mayhem (Acclaim) 2004
Assignments: physics system including street furniture reactions, broadphase collision detection, fluff collision tests, PS2 optimized, AI reactions to collisions. Control system. Vehicle handling including torque and braking system, special moves, handbrake slides.
XGRA (Acclaim) 2003
Assignments: Race start system, race end system, alpha sorting, general bug fixing
Dakar 2 Xbox(Acclaim) 2003
Assignments: Took Lead Programmer Role, brought project to gold on time, assisted in extra track development and multi-player.
Dakar 2 Playstation 2 & Gamecube (Acclaim) 2002
Assignments: Physics system, vehicle handling.
Extreme G 3 Gamecube (Acclaim) 2001
Assignments: Conversion from PS2 version to Gamecube including: Basic render data format for debugging, Optimized index based single pass format used in-game. Open cd tray logic. 3 and 4 player development.
2000-2001
Labrat (Bits Studios) 2001
(click here to play)
2D Maze against-the-clock with online real-time ranking, email challenges and skins
PC - Win9X, Win2K and NT4
Assignments:
Create a 2D GDI engine capable of rendering on all platforms at 50fps, plus support audio via DirectSound
Objectives Achieved:
Renderer runs at a locked rate of 50 fps yet needing only 5-20% processing power of a standard PC, transparent effects, accurate controls, small footprint, basic skin functions allowing the same game to look and sound completely different, DirectSound support, 10000 unique mazes.
Virtual Athlete (Bits Studios) 2000
3D Tamogotchi style interactive multiplayer internet game involving collecting, training and racing athletes in a racing tournament
PC - (DirectX 3 & 5 & 7)
Assignments:
Create a 3D engine system capable of working on DirectX3 through to DirectX7 ultilising the advanced options of each. Program interactive games, 2D schedule builder and the front end for Virtual Athlete. Script final racing competition inside stadium environment.
Objectives Achieved:
Fast 3D engine working in Dx3,5 & 7. Dx3 & 5 texture
managment. Environment mapping. 2D interactive games. Scripted finale to
racing.
1997-2000
Jimmy White's 2 Cueball (Virgin) 1998/2000
3D Snooker/Pool and many subgames including DropZone
Playstation (Conversion from PC Version)
Reviews:
"After a few shots the controls become intuitive, which is a major feat for a game that requires such accuracy! The best snooker sim we`ve played to date ...a cracking simulation." Rated 88% - Playstation Pro
Assignments:
Conversion of the PC C++ floating point code to work on PSX integer-based system. Shrink a 32mb PC game to fit onto 3.5mb PSX using overlays and code reduction. Code PSX WAD loading system, PSX FMV and memory card management. Code CD streaming for motion capture data.
Objectives Achieved:
A PSX game that 'looks' like a PC product. 512x256 hi-res. 20-30 fps in NTSC. CD data streaming. Thread-based Memory Card management enabled continuation of gameplay during saving/loading.
Jimmy White's 2 Cueball
(Virgin) 1997/1999
3D Snooker/Pool and many subgames including DropZone
PC
Reviews:
"Stunning attention to every detail in every respect.....The best snooker and pool sim and loads more besides" Rated 88% - PC Zone
Assignments:
Creation of a 3D software renderer to link into D3D data format. Write a WAD based loading system and a Joystick control system. Code balls down pockets and shadows for hands and balls.
Objectives Achieved:
D3D emulation with a software renderer, which worked 2/3 times faster than D3D, and included a full per pixel Z buffer.
1995-1997
S.C.A.R.S. (Ubisoft) 1996/ 1997
Original 30fps fully gouraud and textured 3D world racing/fighting game with 3D cars and multiplayer option.
Playstation
Reviews:
"The game has tight control, good AI and balance, and enough extras to make you want to keep playing" Rated 83% - Gaming Age
Assignments:
Lead coding across 3 platforms, PC, PSX and N64, with two other programmers. Write a 3D graphic engine (in asm for PSX). Code AI for computer cars.Write specific PSX code e.g. memory card management and FMV.
Objectives Achieved:
Mesh-based 3D landscaped world, CPU AI and Joypad Control.
Street Racer (Ubisoft) 1995/1996
Conversion/upgrade of SNES STREET RACER to a 60fps 3D racing/fighting game with sprite-based character cars and up to 8 players on screen.
Playstation
Reviews:
"All in all Street Racer is a very playable multi-racer that will last" Rated 84% - Play
"Multi-Player racing never felt so good" Rated 8/10 - Playstation Pro
Assignments:
Lead coding across 3 platforms, PC, PSX and Saturn, with two other programmers. Write a 3D graphic engine (in asm for PSX). Code PC CD audio streaming. Write specific PSX code e.g. memory card management and FMV.
Objectives Achieved:
8 player split screen, running at 60 fps.
1994
3D Coding - Programming - 80386 - Assembly
PC
Core PC VGA 3D routines including Polygons, Vectors and Matrices
plus experimental coding of Texture
Mapping.
1993-1994
Sierra Soccer - World Challenge Edition
(Sierra/Dynamix USA)
Original 3D overhead arcade football simulation (gameplay and team management) based on 1994 World Cup.
Amiga
Reviews:
"A cracking good soccer game" Rated 87% - CU Amiga
"Full marks for a fine playable effort" Rated 89% - Amiga Action
".. e la migliore simulazione del genere uscita quest'anno,.." (.. the best simulation of this genre to come out this year..) Rated 93% - The Games Machine (Italy)
Assignments:
Design and program the game (my own spec). Product management and all of the coding (including the FMV). Music and some graphics were provided by Dynamix.
Objectives Achieved:
Use of a triple buffer - thus varying frame rates. Computer player AI and Goalie AI.
Audio sampled Referee. Player name, strip design, skin tone and hair colour choices. Adaptable for international, national, or local team play.
1992-1993
Programming - 68000-Assembly
Programming Amiga 'C'
Amiga
Experimental Amiga 3D. Preparation of 3D demo.
Compression routine for graphics utility.
1990-1992
Crazy Pilot (Argonaut) 1992
Original 3D flying game/adventure
Gameboy 128K cartridge
Assignments: Programming & Design (Cut down Z 80 - Assembly)
Objectives Achieved: Advanced 3D mesh enabling landscape visuals.
Trailblazers (Argonaut) 1991
Original 3D car racing game with purchase options and weapons.
Gameboy128K cartridge
Assignments: Programming, Design & Artwork (Cut down Z 80 - Assembly)
Objectives Achieved: Solid 3D drawing, 3D cars, 3D horizon.
Days of Thunder (Mindscape/Argonaut) 1990
Original 3D oval-track NASCAR car racing game.
Gameboy 128K cartridge
Reviews: "... there's some of the best Gameboy visuals I've ever seen" Rated 73% - Total
"..all in all a playable driving game" Rated 80% - C&VG
Assignments: Create 3D engine. All coding and game logic, 4 player link up and some graphics.
Objectives Achieved: 3D vector line drawing on Gameboy. 20 cars onscreen simultaneously with software sprites.
Loopz (Mindscape/Argonaut) 1990
Conversion of a puzzle game.
Gameboy 32K cartridge
Reviews: "An addictive game." Rated 77% - C&VG
Assignments: All programming plus 2/3 of the artwork
Objectives Achieved:
Basic Gameboy technology put into place
for future products.
1989-1990
Hammerfist (Activision/Vivid
Image)
Conversion of an arcade progressive fighting game with puzzle elements (2D).
Spectrum 48K
Reviews:
"All the magical ingredients of a great game cooked to perfection." Rated 92% - Sinclair User
"Action and strategy combine in Hammerfist to produce an amazingly playable game." Rated 95% - Crash
Assignments:
Write Spectrum-specific code and combat AI. (Game developed on Amiga, C64 and Spectrum simultaneously.)
Objectives Achieved:
2D masks for sprites generated in real time. Close combat
AI for enemy sprites.
1988-1989
Starglider II (Rainbird/Argonaut)
Conversion of a 3D strategy flight sim. with puzzle elements.
Spectrum 48K with 128K enhancements
Reviews:
"Game of the week." Rated 5/5 stars - New Computer Express
Assignments:
Write conversion in machine code, working from finished Amiga version via playing the game (without any source code). Draw all graphics and loading screen.
Objectives Achieved:
Fastest ever vector line code, 3D matrices, loading screen.
Storyline based game AI.
1987/1988
Virus (Firebird)
Conversion of a 3D arcade shoot 'em up.
Spectrum 48K
Assignments:
Write the conversion in machine code, from the ground up, via loan of an Archimedes machine with the game Zarch running on it - no source code. All graphics.
Objectives Achieved:
Fast vector line drawing using self-modifying code, gravity effects, sprite-based 3D objects.
Reviews:
"Amazing conversion of an amazing game. Incredible!" Rated 95% - Sinclair User
"A brilliantly programmed conversion of a 16 bit smash hit. A fast and fascinating 3D blast a mundo. Buy it!" Rated 9/10 - Your Sinclair
"What's this? Not a naughty
little program that crashes your computer, no. It's the game no one thought
would ever appear on the Spectrum, and it took the might of Firebird to do
it. Phil South takes a look and gets the sniffles.
Last year, everyone at PCW was heavily impressed
by a game on the Archimedes computer, a game called Zarch. This
convincing tour de force was masterminded by the creator of Elite,
a guy called David Braben, and at that time no plans existed to port the
game down to even the high end 16 bit machines like the Atari ST and Commodore
Amiga. But now Firebird has produced 8-bit versions... including one for
the 128-48K Spectrum!!!
Any attempt to bring such a game to the Spectrum
could only result in a desperately shoehorned, graphically-inferior pile
of old doo-dahs, couldn't it? Well, actually it's not a billionth as bad
as anybody here anticipated, with all the original gameplay surprisingly
intact.
You are in control of a terrific little spaceship,
a bit like the one in the old asteroids game only this time instead of being
in cheap black and white and 2D, this little devil is in wondrous colouramic
3D. You are charged with a task of ridding the planet of the aliens which
are spraying the planet with a deadly virus. There are many different types
of aliens, and you have to zap them all in order to clear a level. Your score
is a percentage of how much of the planet is left uninfected.
As you let away from your start-up position, you
notice immediately that beneath you is a brilliant 3D wire frame representation
of the planet, scrolling neatly under you. As you move, the square scrolls,
revealing hillier sections with trees whipping by, and your scanner in the
top left of the screen shows that some aliens are pursuing you. You've got
to blast the little beggars, you see, but that's only if you've got enough
fingers left after controlling the ship to press the fire button on the keyboard.
Yes, the controls are a trifle tricky, but if you've got a joystick interface
(all are supported) then it makes it a little easier. Shooting with a keyboard
button and flying the ship with the joystick can be a little bit like rubbing
your head and patting your belly simultaneously, though.
This is a very entertaining game, and even if you
can't really get into the gameplay of shooting down the aliens, just flying
around the landscape learning to fly your hoverplane against the planet's
gravity is a fun game in itself. And finally, an interesting
fact. It's been said by Telecomsoft
that it never intended to program the game on the Spectrum but the
programmer of the Spectrum version, Steve Dunn, just
sent it in. Steve was so impressed by the demos of Zarch on the
Archimedes at PCW that he set to programming in machine code. Blimey!
Next Firebird'll
say that it was written in binary on the back of an airmail envelope with
a stub of pencil and a slide rule! Hah! Only kidding, choplets. And, if that's
Steve's first effort of machine coding on the Speccy, all I can say is his
Basic programs must have been brilliant! Take it from a dude who knows...
Virus on the Spectrum IS the state of the art."
(Your Sinclair)