Gearbox, like many other companies, has the occasional company party - ours, in fact, are quarterly. These parties give us a chance to interact outside the workplace in some great environments (we've had dinner parties, parties at Dave & Buster's, picnics at local parks, and more), and they give us a chance to catch up with the fast pace of Gearbox. There are speeches, good food, and great company, all of which help us grow closer together as our company continues to expand and work on new and exciting projects.
For our summer party this year, we did something that we hadn't done before that I thought was really cool. We rented out a theater at the local Studio Movie Grill, an establishment that shows movies served with a meal. The best thing about this company party was that each dev project showed the whole company a little glimpse of what they were working on! Seeing the work of our fellow employees up there on the big screen was an awesome experience, and it was very exciting to see all the progress we are making as a company. After that, we had a short break and then the whole company watched the new Transformers movie - what better way to end a company party than by watching huge robots smash things?
It's great to be involved in events like this! Gearbox is growing very rapidly and getting to work on some fantastic games. I got to see some pretty unbelievable stuff at the party (some of which I'm afraid I can't talk about... yet!), and I am eagerly anticipating getting to share more with you. For now, you'll just have to take my very educated opinion that you're going to be very impressed and surprised by Gearbox at least a few times this year ;p
As usual, many photos were taken, and I thought I'd share a couple from our company party with you! Click the image below to view the album!
Some of you may remember our little trip to the VGL last year in Houston. For those of you not familiar with the Video Games Live concert, it's a live concert in which an orchestra plays pieces from video games past and present while video clips are shown on a large screen. It's really a very cool event.
Remember how we said we wished the show would come up to Dallas? Well, we got our wish! The concert was performed at the Myerson Symphony Hall here in Gearbox's hometown, and quite a few of our employees went out to represent Gearbox in the meet and greet following the show. I didn't have a chance to get out there this year, but from the sounds of it, the concert is just as awesome (or even more awesome) as it was when I saw it last year.
If the VGL is coming to a symphony hall near you any time soon, I'd strongly recommend you give it a go. Not only do you get to witness the evolution of music in gaming (and gaming in general), but how often is it that you get to hear a live orchestra play the Mario theme? Here's a tip - buy your tickets early , this show has sold out almost every venue it visits. Don't miss it!
I gathered up the photos that our Gearbox guys took at the show this year into an album for you all to peruse. Our representatives at the VGL were Eli Luna , Rick Johnson , Charlie Wiederhold , Scott Velasquez , Leo Sieben , Ed Lima , and Andrew Weldon .
In this edition of Ask Gearbox, we've asked the Gearbox employees some of the toughest (and most contentious) questions you can ask a gamer. Our questions are: "360, PS3, Wii, or PC?", "DS or PSP?", and "What is your favorite game genre?". Read on to see the answers!
Don E : Yes.
Ryan C : Tough choice between the 360 and the Wii. I'd say Wii for party/group games. 360 for everything else. Of course, there's always the PC for RTS and MMOs. I think I'll go with "Not PS3."
Erik A : 360. Most definitely. It's where I spend about 70% of my play time, the remaining 30% divvied up fairly equally between my PS2, Wii, and PC. PS3 gets no love from me.
Kyle P : Wii60
Cynthia G : PC. I had a few consoles prior to owning a PC, but PC games are what REALLY got me interested in gaming.
Josh P : 360 - by far.
Andrew W : For me, the 360 for Gears, Crackdown, Halo, and the online experience, PS3 for whatever Insomniac and Naughty Dog do plus the eventual God of War III, Wii for Zelda, Mario, and the family/friend experience, and the PC for WoW and the true home of the FPS and RTS. I think gamers who can reasonably afford to do so can find good reasons to own them all.
Nate O : 360, Wii, and PC. These satisfy all my gaming needs. I can see absolutely no reason to buy a PS3.
Ryan F : PC and Wii
Dorian G : 360 first, followed closely by Wii
Tatum T : I'm gonna have to go with Wii, Bob, though I still dig my PS2.
Michael W : Wii & PC: Wife and Kids love the Wii, PC is mine.
Graeme T : 360 for me.
Scott V : if (group.size() > 1)
Wii
else
PC
ennui : 360, Wii, and PC... waiting on a PS3 purchase, but I'm sure I'll have reason before too long. I like to play everything.
Don E : Both (PSP doesn't have Brain Age, DS doesn't have Loco Roco)
Ryan C : DS, no question
Erik A : The DS is awesome. The PSP, not so much. While the DS has tons of games, the PSP has so very few.
Kyle P : DS. I'll support whichever platform brings the old school Castlevania action.
Cynthia G : DS!
Josh P : Don't have either.
Andrew W : DS for quirky and/or unique awesomeness like Cooking Mama or Hotel Dusk, PSP for that big-budget home console feeling on the go with games like Daxter.
Nate O : DS by far. Even my mom can play. New Super Mario, Mario Kart DS, Tetris, and Bomberman. Enough said.
Ryan F : DS
Dorian G : Both, but of course DS is champion
Tatum T : DS - I had to pry it from both my sister and my grandma's hands! (my grandma was hooked on sudoku and wanted to buy a DS just for that!)
Michael W : Neither.
Graeme T : DS for sure, it makes games simple again.
Scott V : DS *sigh* I had so much hope for the PSP...
ennui : DS
Don E : RPG or FPS
Ryan C : RPG
Erik A : Action/Adventures, RTS's, and FPS's, in that order. RPG's used to be at the top, but who has time for those anymore?
Kyle P : Sandbox
Cynthia G : oooh. Toss up between RPGs and rhythm games (GH!)
Josh P : Action/stealth
Andrew W : My preference is a toss-up between first-person shooters and modern 3D platformers, with Blizzard/Relic style RTS falling a close third.
Ryan F : FPS or RPG
Dorian G : Action-adventure
Tatum T : Action-adventure
Michael W : Real Time Strategy (That's why the PC is mine)
Graeme T : 5 years ago I would have answered FPS hands down. Since then I've really broadened my horizons and been exploring other types of genres. It's refreshing to experience other types of gameplay.
Scott V : RPG, RTS, and FPS. Preferably not all in the same game ;)
ennui : Everything but realistic sports games
Evan Birkby, the QA Director here at Gearbox, has given BiA DS a close look. He provided me with some information about the game - we've been getting tons of questions about it, so I thought I'd share what resources I could gather with you all and talk about this cool new addition to the Brothers in Arms world! Evan's write-up about the game follows:
With Brothers in Arms DS, gamers can now experience rich 3D BiA action right on their own DS. The innovative interface allows the player to use the stylus and control buttons to have easy access to the third-person action and well-designed gameplay.
Making a 3D game look good on the DS was a clear goal of the design team, and I believe they really succeeded at that goal. The player can move through the 3D world with a remarkable amount of control and freedom. Perspective and distance are modeled very nicely, allowing the player to use a variety of tactics - including the use of cover and flanking, which have been hallmarks of the Brothers in Arms series. Characters are well-animated and special effects such as explosions and smoke are done particularly well.
The audio in the game is high quality and sounds authentic. Hearing the clatter of tank tracks or the zing of bullets can really bring the player into the intense combat experience. As with other BIA games, the music has a lot to add to the enjoyment of the game experience as well.
Although the player does not command squad mates in this Brothers in Arms game, there is still the presence of friendly soldiers that can help in big fire fights. The player is able to drive vehicles and has a good variety of weapon types to choose from. Much has been done to give the player interesting and fun objectives and the game is diverse and can be quite challenging at times.
The main issue for the game being fun will likely come back to these issues - does it play well, and does it look good? My answer to both questions is yes, and more importantly I believe players will find the feature set to be a good balance. The engine puts a lot of detail and fun stuff on the screen at the same time. It can be a matter of opinion how much one is willing to sacrifice in smooth game play for higher detailed graphics. I believe the designers got it right for this game. The graphics are crisp enough to really enjoy and see targets with and the game runs smooth enough to make aiming and moving around a fun experience.
This was not the kind of game I expected would work for a DS but this design really did work for me and make me change the way I think about the DS as a 3D game system. My DS is more capable than I realized and this game is a lot of fun.
QA Director
Gearbox Software
If a game can impress our QA Director, it gets a big round of applause in my book. Way to go, Gameloft! BiA DS features 16 missions in three different campaigns, and utilizes the unique DS hardware to bring you a Brothers in Arms experience you won't want to miss... but don't just take OUR word for it! IGN and Gamespot have both published previews and have given the game some glowing remarks! For more info about the game, you can visit the Ubisoft page for BiA DS, which has a feature list!
Don't forget to check out the trailer! Be prepared to rush out to the nearest game retailer to get your hands on BiA DS!
Click here to discuss this feature on our forums!
Monday, May 28 at 8:30 am, Municipal Center, 1520 Avenue K. Plano, TX
Remarks by COLONEL JOHN F. ANTAL, US ARMY (Retired)
Memorial Day, Plano, Texas, 28 May 2007
Thank you Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Magnuson for that kind introduction …. Congressman Johnson, distinguished guests, my fellow Americans and Texans.
First, let me ask …. How many of you out there are veterans? Thank you for your service to the Nation. Please, give these great Americans a round of applause.
Last week on May 19, the Nation celebrated Armed Forces Day. This is the day where we thank all those who have served in the Armed forces of the United States. Veterans, I thank you for your selfless service.
Today, however, is Memorial Day and it is a solemn celebration of freedom.
Today …. We remember.
This is the day we memorialize those veterans – the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines -- who paid the ultimate sacrifice and died in combat protecting us and what we hold sacred.
The fact of this world is that Freedom – the freedom that we have today -- is only one generation away from extinction. Freedom survives only if each generation is willing to defend it.
Think about it….. think about the great gift we share…. The freedoms and individual liberties we have.
In the history of the world this degree of freedom is unique.
Most people in history lived without the rule of law…. Without the freedom to worship as they choose … without the individual liberties we are accustomed to…. Without the idea that it is merit that counts, not what class you were born to or what tribe you belong to.
Think about it. Would any of you wish to trade places with any other people in any other generation and choose to live under dictatorship, oligarchy or State sponsored theocracy?
Look around you. The freedom that we take for granted is not free. It was purchased with the blood of men and women who stood for the ideals of our Constitution.
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Coast Guardsmen and Marines who answered the call of duty …. and did not waiver.
These are the people we honor today – the people who wore the uniform of our country and who lived and died for something greater than self.
Selfless service. It is not meaningless to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines serving today…. And it was not meaningless in times past.
From the Revolutionary war in 1775, to the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the long years of the Cold War, Desert Storm, today’s fight in the Global War on Terror in Iraq and Afghanistan and on countless other battlefields, AMERICANs have stood for the Nation, fought and died, to secure the freedoms we enjoy today.
They met the test of character and lived and died for us.
We can learn a lot from history about the character required to sustain a nation. Luckily for the United States of America, we seem to have that type of character in abundance … as if it were part of an unyielding American spirit.
But those who paid the ultimate sacrifice were also people – a lot like you and me.
It is important, therefore that we remember them.
Let me tell you the story of two such Americans.
Corporal Jason L. Dunham was born on 10 November 1981 in Scio, New York. The date may seem insignificant to those who don't know its history. The ones who do know its significance celebrate this day - faithfully - each year. November 10th is the United States Marine Corps birthday... a birthday that Jason Dunham shares.
Scio is a small town with a population of 1900 people. It’s the kind of town where everyone knows your name... where values and respect still mean something. It was here, along a winding country road filled with rolling-meadows, and a swift moving creek, that Jason L. Dunham was brought into this world.
As you turn into the Dunham’s long driveway that leads to their house, the breeze catches a yellow ribbon tied to the mailbox and the story begins to unfold.
The further you drive; two flags adorn the front porch, an American flag and the United States Marine Corps flag. And both seem to play the same quiet song, and yet both stand tall for this fallen young man. There is a final reminder that Jason Dunham is no longer with us… a blue star in the front window has been replaced by a gold star, symbolizing the Dunham family loss.
On April 14, 2004, 3 days after Easter Sunday, Corporal Dunham was manning a checkpoint in Karabilah, Iraq, when an insurgent leapt from his car and began choking him. A scuffle ensued as two Marines approached to help. Reportedly, the last words from Corporal Dunham were, “No, No. Watch his hand.” Suddenly, the insurgent dropped a grenade. Corporal Dunham took off his Kevlar helmet, dropped to the ground, and covered the explosive as best he could.
The blast seriously wounded all 3 Marines. Eight days later, Corporal Jason L. Dunham died at Bethesda Naval Hospital from wounds he received in the incident. He was 22.
Corporal Dunham made the ultimate sacrifice, and in doing so saved the lives of his fellow Marines. Due to his actions on that fateful day, Corporal Dunham has been awarded the Medal of Honor.
Remember Corporal Dunham.
Like Corporal Dunham Sergeant First Class Paul R. Smith, United States Army, was a volunteer.
Paul was born on September 24, 1969, in El Paso, Texas. At the age of nine, his family moved to South Tampa, Florida, where he attended public schools. He enjoyed sports, liked cats, skateboarding, riding bicycles, and playing pranks with friends and his younger sister Lisa. He particularly enjoyed football, which instilled the importance of being part of a team and motivated his natural leadership abilities.
Upon graduating from High School in 1988, Paul Smith joined the Army. On that day he began living his dream...he was assigned to Germany, met and married his wife, Birgit, had two children, and was "doing what he was born to do.... Lead American Soldiers...."
In March 2003, Sgt. 1st Class Smith Kuwait was assigned to the Bravo Company, 11th Engineer Battalion of the US Army’s 3rd Infantry's Division that was ready to attack into Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Bravo Company crossed the border on March 19th and traveled more than 300 kilometers in the first 48 hours of the war as part of the lead company in support of Task Force 2-7 Infantry.
On 4 April 2003, Smith and his men were involved in a firefight with enemy forces near Baghdad International Airport.
On that day, Sergeant First Class Smith’s unit was violently attacked by a company-sized enemy force.
Outnumbered and realizing the vulnerability to his fellow Soldiers, Sergeant First Class Smith quickly organized a hasty defense consisting of two platoons of soldiers, one Bradley Fighting Vehicle and three armored personnel carriers.
As the fight developed, Sergeant First Class Smith braved hostile enemy fire to personally engage the enemy with hand grenades and anti-tank weapons, and organized the evacuation of three wounded soldiers from an armored personnel carrier that was struck by a rocket propelled grenade and a 60mm mortar round.
Fearing the enemy would overrun their defenses, Sergeant First Class Smith moved forward …. under withering enemy fire …. to man a .50 caliber machine gun mounted on a damaged armored personnel carrier.
In total disregard for his own life, he maintained his exposed position in order to engage the attacking enemy force. During this action, he was mortally wounded by enemy fire.
His courageous actions helped defeat the enemy attack, and resulted in as many as 50 enemy soldiers killed, while allowing the safe withdrawal of numerous wounded soldiers.
For his extraordinary heroism and uncommon valor Sergeant First Class Smith was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.
We owe people like this -- our men and women in uniform – more than words can express.
In return, all they ask is that we remember them and cherish their sacrifice -- so thank you for remembering these brave Americans today and for coming here to pay tribute to their selfless sacrifice in this special celebration of freedom.
The next time you see a Soldier, sailor, airmen or Marine – at the airport or anywhere -- go up and shake their hand and tell them that you are proud of them. Never forget that they are putting themselves in harms way on our behalf.
And today…. of all days…. remember the heroes who have fallen in battle on our behalf.
Remember them…………….Remember them.
And count yourself lucky that we have such selfless people in our ranks.
Thank you.
God bless our troops and God Bless America.
Colonel John F. Antal, U.S. Army (Ret.)
