Chris P

Programmer

Bio

Born and raised in Mesquite, TX, Chris learned his programming from his grandfather who coded for the government. He picked up an interest in it and eventually got a Computer Science degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. Now he's happily coding full-time at Gearbox making awesome games. His interests lie in Networking, UI, and tools, with a growing interest in the Xbox 360's complex online systems. He hopes to one day have a gamerscore that overflows int max.

Length of time I have been employed in the industry

I've been around since the beginning of 2006 and hoping to stay for a long, long time.

Game companies I have worked for

Ritual Entertainment as QA, Gearbox Software as a programmer

Titles I have worked on

QA: SiN: Episodes: Emergence, SiN (steam re-release)

Programming: Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway

Advice

Resources I would recommend for those interested in getting into game development (books, tutorials, sites, etc)

Just keep doing whatever it is that you love about games. If that's programming, get involved in a mod project and take it public when it's ready. If it's level design, make maps and publish them to various community sites. There's no set way to get in here, just work hard and apply yourself as best you can.

Favorites

First game I remember playing

I've been playing games in general as long as I can remember, but I guess it'd have to be some intellivision game like Pitfall or something...maybe NES Mario Bros...

All-time favorite game

Tough one...Grim Fandango or the Monkey Island series probably. I'm a huge fan of the old-school Adventure-type games. I'm also loving Portal with its puzzle/adventure/comedy mashup. Reminds me of the good old days.

Non-video gaming hobbies

I like to listen to and pretend I am participating in broadcast radio, I love a good movie, and I'm addicted to a handful of TV shows like Lost, Heroes, The Office, etc. Aside from that, I sit at home and don't do much besides gaming with the wife, so long as she lets me.

Favorite bands/music

Relient K, Red, The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Falling Up, Anberlin

Favorite books/authors

I haven't read anything in quite a while...but I blame that on school ruining books for me. When I did read, I mostly read sci-fi or mystery-type books.

Favorite TV shows

Heroes, Prison Break, The Office, Lost, CSI (Vegas, not the spin-offs...)

Favorite movies

Recently, 300, I Am Legend. All-time, probably something like Star Wars or comedies like Spaceballs or The Princess Bride.

Favorite quote

"The greatest tragedy is not your death, but a life without reason, that your life had no purpose." - Anberlin, Never Take Friendship Personal

"The greatest tragedy is not your death, but a life without reason, that your life had no purpose." - Anberlin, Never Take Friendship Personal