SICON.TXT
TRANSCRIPT OF FORMAL CONFERENCE ON STUNT ISLAND, FSFORUM CONFERENCE ROOM
10, MARCH 31, 1993.
GUESTS: DAVE ARNSPIGER, RON FORTIER, LEONARD D'AMBROSIO AND HELEN WILLEN
FROM DISNEY SOFTWARE.
HOST: JIM ROSS, DESIGN SYSOP, FSFORUM.
TRANSCRIPT PROVIDED BY RICK LEE, ASSOCIATE SYSOP, FSFORUM. EDITED BY JFR.
____________________
...The following is a little chit-chat before the formal conference actually
began. . .
Jim Ross/Host: Ah Dave glad to see U back on. Rick Lee is also
| keeping a transcript will
| be back here very shortly.
| Ah, Rick back on. CIM, rick?
| But yegods we lost Disney again! Hehe. Relax, folks.
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: OK... I'm up and running with the CIM transcript now.
Jim Ross/Host: Great show, Rick. Now awaiting Disney's return.
| We're going to have Dave
| Arnspiger, Ron Fortier (Producer), Adrian Stephens, and a cast
| of 1000's.
Roland Jung: Hangin' round now, had some tech. difficulties earlier
Jim Ross/Host: Yeah, happens to us all.
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Here they come
Ian Jasper: Hi there back again, will just watch for the moment!
Jim Ross/Host: Drumming fingers on table...Disney was here for a
| while, I think they're
Jim Ross/Host: out getting a transcript ready. Aha, the door
| opens. . . .
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Hi Ian... Greetings to the UK
Jim Ross/Host: Ah, hi Jim E.
Jim Elmore: yea, but what am I doing here !
| Why did I get lured into this room ?
Jay | Did we lose Dave again?
Jim Ross/Host: Hehe. This is a "formal" conference on Stunt Island,
| Jim, but formal part
| hasn't started yet. . . Just a mo.
Ian Jasper: Hi rick nice to speak to you, been a bit busy lately, what
| with late shifts and all that! All well??
Jim Ross/Host: Yeah, lost Dave again. They were eating Chinese food.
Disney Software: Dave..>OK, we are here!
Jay | Sounds about right...
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Everything is just great around here Ian.
| They're baaaAAAAaaack
Jim Ross/Host: Aha. Dave again. Hang in there Dave. Don't desert
| us. Two transcripts going
Jay | Yeah!
Jim Elmore: I gotta go file an amended report...see you jim.
AND THE FORMAL PART BEGINS. . .
Jim Ross/Host: Hokeydokey, folks. I hereby announce that the First
| Annual (we hope)
| Stunt Island formal conference is under way. . . .
Jim Elmore: ...poof...
Jim Ross/Host: General procedure: as I just did, end line with ...
| if you have more to say
| and GA when you're done.
| As with all formal conferences, I'll call on the Disney people
| for some
| introductory comments. . .
| and then open up the floor for questions. But right now. . .
| Any preliminary questions on procedure from anybody? speak up.
...
| Lovely lovely. Now, Dave, introduce your people and call on
| them for . . .
| introductory comments. The floor's yours, Dave Arnspiger. GA
Rick L./Assoc SysOp:
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>I have with me tonight, Ron Fortier, the
| Producer.
| I also have Cary Hara, Software Engineer!
| Leonard D'Ambrosio, Tester/Pilot, and
| Helen Fillman, Our single white female from Marketing!
| WE are new to this, so bear with us!...
| We are happy to be here, and ready to answer all those
| questions about Stunt Island.
| ...
| We are sorry to report that Adrian Stephens, the Developer,
| could not be with us due to illness!
Jim Ross/Host: O.k. Dave? Ron, you have any preliminary remarks to
| make before we go?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>Just that we are really excited about
| Stunt Island, and rarin' to go!
| Let's take some questions!
Jim Ross/Host: O.k. Procedure, folks. . .
| At my signal, hit "?" when you have a question, and I'll call
| on U in order
| Go ahead with "?"s now. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Ok. The floor is yours, C. Lafferty. Ask question
| and I'll give you followup
r C. Lafferty: First of, I'd just like to say GREAT GAME!! I was curious
| as to when expansion ....
| disks would be available and what they may contain! GA
Jim Ross/Host: Get that, Disney folks? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>We have planes and stunts already complete,
| but we are still working on enhancements..
| to the technology. We aren't quite ready to announce a release
| date...
| at this time.
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, C Lafferty?
r C. Lafferty: yes...
| Any new scenery likely to be included.? and what kind of
| enhancements do you mean.. if you can say GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>We are woring on texture mapping,...
| ease of use of the animation engine....
| and additional professional editing features.....
| do you have any specific things you are looking for in the
| upgrade? GA
Jim Ross/Host: Any particulars, C Lafferty?
r C. Lafferty: Everything I wanted, you basically named.. Except maybe
| additional pre-defined sets!! GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>There will be more sets too! GA
Jim Ross/Host: Thanks. Lee Perkins, a question?
Lee Perkins: yes..
Lee Perkins: How widespread was the pink ocean thing I experienced before
| I got the patch.GA
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>Mainly on local bus video machines, and a
| few off brand SVGA cards.
| Not too bad, oops!
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, Lee?
Lee Perkins: not now ,thanks. GA
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>For those who are curious, I am doing all
| the typing...
| the other guys can spell!
Jim Ross/Host: O.k. Rick Lee, you're up.
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Hehehe
| OK... could you please elaborate...
| on the "texture mapping"?
Jim Ross/Host: Texture mapping, Disney?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>We have images mapped on planes right
| now....
| we are just trying to find appropriate images and uses for the
| technology...
| to enhance the visuals. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Good. Followup, Rick?
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Hmmmm
| I'm not sure I understand...
| what has images mapped on it in the original game?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>The ability to wrap a picture, like nose
| art onto the planes...
| camoflauge on planes, etc. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Ah, wowie. Sounds great.
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: I think I misunderstood...
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: you didn't mean to say that the original had
| textures mapped... right?
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Some of the p[lanes
| Some of the planes already have a crude implementation of
| that...
| we are enhancing it. IE: F-86, Sopwith Camel. GA
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: I see... thanks... all for now... GA.
Jim Ross/Host: Good shot, Disney. Now, you're up, Dick Campbell. Go
| ahead, Dick.
Dick Campbell: Hello--Regarding the user sound sample files
| is there any way to import or merge the sound sample files
| together.
Jim Ross/Host: Go ahead, Diz.
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>Disney/Cary..>Do you mean the .SMP files,
| or the individual .VOC files?
Dick Campbell: Yes-the sample files.
Dick Campbell: USER1.SMP
Jim Ross/Host: Got it, Cary?
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>No,not directly right now, but we may be
| able to publish something like that...
| With enough demand! It's fairly easy to do. You can always
| concatenate them as .VOCs. GA
Jim Ross/Host: That would be very helpful. I have a whole buncha
| .SMP's and they're a mess
| Followup, Dick Campbell?
Dick Campbell: Ok--I as
| I asked because I now have two USER1.SMP files with
| only 5 sounds and 2 sounds in them.
Jim Ross/Host: right. Thanks both. Now, Lee Perkins again. Fire
| away, Lee. GA
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Cary's mind is whirling, I think you may
| see that type of tool in the next one! GA
Jim Ross/Host: Sure hope so. Lee?
Lee Perkins: Any possibility of Thrustmaster support for the FCS hat ? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>Not currently, but we will look into it!
Jim Ross/Host: If I didn't know this was a game I would think that
| was code. Diz? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>What?
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, Lee?
Lee Perkins: Later thanks
Jim Ross/Host: Ok. End of the line. Floor's open for your "?"'s,
| folks. Roland? Jay?
Jim Ross/Host: George White, you have the floor. GA
George White: first off great game, truly amazing...
George White: is the development team overall surprised by the...
| type of movies being created. movies without planes? GA
Jim Ross/Host: You surprised, Disney?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>No, we expected that! We are impressed
| with them though! GA
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, George (BTW, folks, George wrote one!!). GA
George White: yes...
| If you expected that are you going to add car support and maybe
| people walking..
| and things besides flying? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>More than likely that will be in the next
| FULL rev, not in the
Disney Software: upgrades..
| Lot's of requests for that though! GA
Jim Ross/Host: I bet. Now, Jay, you're up. GA Jay.
Jay | Will the ability to design...
| your own props be added? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>On average it took 2 days in order to
| complete...
| one of the planes that exist in the original Stunt Island...
| We feel that it is too complex for users to spend that time...
| to get professional results from their props. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Remark from Jim Ross. You ought to see what Flight
| Simulator scenery
| designers can do. Give us a crack at it. GA
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>Our objects have a lot more non-obvious
| data...
| associated with them (execution speed, animation,
| collision...). Ga
Jim Ross/Host: Thanks, Cary. Followup Jay?
Jay | No...thanks! GA
Jim Ross/Host: O.k. C Lafferty, you're on. GA
r C. Lafferty: When you said FULL upgrade, were you refering to expansion
| disks, version updates, or a NEW program (like Stunt Island
| II).? GA
Jim Ross/Host: Good question. Diz?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>I was referring to Stunt Island II, the
| next release will be an interim upgrade. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Hoho. Followup, CL?
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Santa!
r C. Lafferty: YES!!
Jim Ross/Host: You mean by Xmas, DAVE? GA, CL.
r C. Lafferty: Well, you opened up a whole can of words saying that!!
| SANTA? Does that mean christmas..? And how well has Stunt
| island done.? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>No, I meant Jim's hoho!
R MacKay/MicroWINGS: Yo, what's up?
Jim Ross/Host: Now's the time to tell of the prizes you've won, Diz.
Disney Software: Disney/Leonard..>We won the Golden Triad from Computer
| Game Review magazin...
| The SPA Award for Best Consumer Product of 1992...
| And many top 10 critics lists in magazines all over the world!
Jim Ross/Host: Gee. How's that for a slow ball over the plate, Diz?
| Now, Rick Lee, floor yours again.
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>We don't have a firm date to announce for
| the add-on upgrade yet!
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: George asked my question...
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: I was going to ask about more "pilotable"...
| vehicles such as cars, trucks, people...
| I would like to make one point...
| if you get a sizable core of dedicated users...
| you shouldn't underestimate their dedication...
| and willingness to spend serious time on projects such...
| as scenery and vehicle design...
| subLOGIC was begged for a scenery designer for years and...
| they continually told us it was over our heads...
| When another company finally gave us some design tools...
| the users went completely bananas...
| and showed the professionals a thing or two. GA.
Jim Ross/Host: Hehe. Quite right. Comments, Diz?
| They're thunderstruck.
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>Our data structures include something that
| only the prprogrammers can create. It really is too
| complicated, not to mention
| we have to design and support it.
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, Rick?
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Just to say that I know the design tools...
| might be difficult to create...
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: I recall many of the same types of things...
| said about FS4 scenery...
| especially in the area of "prioritization", etc...
| just something to keep in mind for the future.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>We are not saying it will never happen,
| just not in the immediate future.
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>We will do that. Thanks for the input!
Jim Ross/Host: Looking forward to it. Now, Dick Campbell, front and
| center. GA Dick.
Dick Campbell: Regarding the making of Objects register on a Collision
| window in order to start an event.
| I had trouble getting the Pteradactly to register a hit on
| a Collision window until I place a large Invisible
| sphere around the Pteradactly.
| It took me many hours of trial to discover that,
Jim Ross/Host: Hehe Them Ptero-whatevers were always a bit screwy.
| Comment, Diz?
Dick Campbell: but once I did I waas able to start an event at exactly
| the right momemt I wanted to
| Is this the case with every object or just with the Pteradactly?
Jim Ross/Host: comments, Diz?
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>We will have to take a look at the Ptery,
| maybe there is a bug!
| However, the first...
| suggestion here is to make sure that COLLISION is on on both
| objects. If you
| can upload the SET file to me, I will take a look at it!
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, Dick?
Dick Campbell: Ok--I still have
| it because I am still working on the film. Ga
Jim Ross/Host: Fine, Dick. Now, Lee Perkins. GA Lee.
Lee Perkins: By non-obvious data, do you mean things like 'Gouraud'(sp)
| shading. I really liked that. GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>No, we mean things that accelerate the
| performance of the
| polygon engine, which allows us to have ...
| more polygons on the screen per frame. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Yup. Follwup, Lee?
Lee Perkins: I just wish I..
| could DE-celerate the polygons at the end of a snap roll GA
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Hehe
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>We are constantly tweaking the flight
| model engine, but can't promise anything at the moment.
Jim Ross/Host: Rightyho. George White (a famous movie director):
George White: As a part time coder...
George White: I am curious about the language you coded it in...
| 'C', ASM?? Any info on the development would be interesting!!
| GA
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>Interpreted COBOL!
George White: HAHA
Disney Software: NOT! All assembler!
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, Geo?
George White: yes...
| Any plans for a utility that creates a .AVI file from a film. GA
Jim Ross/Host: What's an .AVI, Geo?
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>No. I won't tell you who's laughing here!
| That's a good idea for the
| future though!
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>.AVI is the Microsoft Video file format,
| Audio Video Interleave, AVI!
Jim Ross/Host: Now: C Lafferty one more time [then he's gotta go].
r C. Lafferty: Besides awards, has Stunt Island sold well.? And do you
| have any projected release time for SI 2 .?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>Yes, it has sold well, and we have not
| fixed a release...
| date for any of the followup products. The add-on is next,
| followed...
| way down the line by a SI Mark II!
Jim Ross/Host: Followup, CL?
r C. Lafferty: How about doing a "films" disk, of just films people can
| view and edit....
| SI Mark II.. What's the Mark mean.?
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>That would be Stunt Island II, I was
| gettin' fancy!
| Disney/Dave..>You are free to do what you like with any of the
| films on our BBS...
| and I am working on a film that contains the best of the films
| we have so far!
Jim Ross/Host: And there are a good many films on FSFORUM and
| GAMBPUB, too.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>True! Forgot that!
Jim Ross/Host: Don't EVER want to forget FSFORUM and GAMBPUB.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>30 lashes for me!
Jim Ross/Host: Now, floor open for "?"s. Dave Renken, Pete Paglia?
| Answer with "?".
r C. Lafferty: ok.. Thanks for the info.!! I'm outa here! But hey GREAT
| GAME!! it really is amazing, so pat yourself on the back!!
| BYE!!!
Jim Ross/Host: Now, Dick Campbell. GA, Dick.
Dick Campbell: What about doing a cooperative...
| film with a number of users all doing specific...
| parts of the film....
| then combining them all in to one major film...
| The film segments would have the same theme...
| just like Hollywood motion pictures...
| I think that would be a really neat thing to try ....
| and a real learning experience for the software...
Jim Ross/Host: Comments, Diz?
Disney Software: Disney/Leonard..>We tried that with our third demo
| film...
Disney Software: it didn't flow too well..
| Disney/Dave..>You would need a good script and everyone would
| have to follow it closely! GA
Jim Ross/Host: O.k. Followup, Dick?
Dick Campbell: Yes--...
| I can see where things might go wrong...
| but I think it would be possible....
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Give it a shot! Lots of people would be
| interested I am sure!
George White: How long was the ...
| development time and how close to the original design was the
| end product. GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>The program was developed over the course
| of 2 years...
| but the bulk of development happened over the last 12
| months.....
| The program was very close to the original feeling we wanted...
| but the design document and the final product were very
| different! GA
Jim Ross/Host: Right. Followup, GW?
George White: yes...
| Since SI is selling well do you see other companies selling
| products like this...
| maybe other programs that create movies. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Foresee any cheap immytashuns, Diz?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>That's up to the individual companies.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>It's a neat market though! Lot's of areas
| could be covered!
Jim Ross/Host: Hokay. Lee Perkins, front and center. Lee, GA.
Lee Perkins: If you ever decide to take up Dick's idea about the long
| movie, could we leave out the obligatory bombing of the Country
| Western Bar, I g
Jim Ross/Host: He's cut off in mid-sentence. . .Lee, you with us?
Lee Perkins: to go play one here in about 5 minutes..
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Hehe
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>And I am setting up a B1 to nuke it as we
| speak!
Lee Perkins: But congratulations on a great game that will keep...
| me busy for many hundreds of hours.Thanks. GA
Jim Ross/Host: O.k. End of queue or whatever. More questions,
| anybody?
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Thanks Lee, have fun at the bar!
Jim Ross/Host: Fire away, GW.
George White: Is there any easier way to place the...
George White: letters than one at a time? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>No.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>It's a tedious, time consuming task!
Jim Ross/Host: So is stringing them all together, though. Followup, GW?
George White: yes..
| I would also like a way to jump right to a MM:SS frame in the
| editor. The...
| fast forward is too slow for a 15 minute movie. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Oh boy that would be nice. Comments, Diz?
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>We will consider that for future revs, ...
| it would increase the size of the films.
George White: ok...
| I assume that the only data stored in the .flm file is the
| props and the location and motion...
| of the objects. The actual frames are created on the fly. Is
| that correct? GA
Disney Software: Disney/Cary..>Yes. But the number of references would
| double along...
| with other house keeping information for film editing, etc. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Right. Followup, GW?
George White: no. GA
Jim Ross/Host: Hokay. I'm about ready to close this down. But, as
| they say at the bar,
| one more round. . . Questions, anybody?
Jim Ross/Host: Failing that. I would like to thank all of you
| Disneys profusely for your
George White: When is the book coming out? GA
Jim Ross/Host: patience and forbearance.
| Ah yes, the book. Diz?
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>We are not sure of the exact release date,
| but it is...
| being printed as we type! There is also SIUPDATE for those of
| you who...
| haven't seen it. Download SIUPDA.ZIP from ...
| GAMBPUB in the Disney/Buena Vista Library/ Number 8. GA
Jim Ross/Host: No, that's library 6 on GAMBPUB. Just did it myself
| tonite. Great!
Disney Software: Whoops! It's Jim's fault, he told me 8 earlier!
Dick Campbell: Is that the March issue ga
Jim Ross/Host: For those who might not have seen it [yup, my
| mistake, Dave!) that SIUPDATE
Jim Ross/Host: is worth a lot. Each issue gets better. *Full* list
| of files, tutorials,
| etc.
| Yes, Dave, sorry, GA.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Yes, that's the latest, just cleared by
| Nightie yesterday!
Jim Ross/Host: All righty. Any last minute word, anybody?
George White: just...
| I am ready to throw money your way for new product. I will be
| waiting. GA
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Our bankers are waiting !
Dick Campbell: Thanks for creating a super program...
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Thanks everyone for joining us tonight!
Dick Campbell: I am glad I got it
Disney Software: Disney/Ron..>Keep those comments coming!
Rick L./Assoc SysOp:
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: <--- breaking protocol to applaud :)
Disney Software: Disney/Dave.Disney> BOWING
Jim Ross/Host: On to better flying and better movies. And, Diz, we
| got by without *one*
| comment about the flyability of your planes!!!
| The Wimp has been lurking for a while. Typical of wimps.
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: o:)
Jim Ross/Host: I hereby declare the conference closed and the bar
| open.
Rick L./Assoc SysOp:
Disney Software: Disney..>Good night all!
Rick L./Assoc SysOp:
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: <--- restraining self from getting out the bartender
| macros
Rick L./Assoc SysOp:
Jim Ross/Host: Nightynite. Sorry Adrian couldn't make it. But
| thanks to all GREAT CON.
George White: Thanks DISNEY and Jim!!!
THINGS KIND OF DETERIORATE FROM HERE ON OUT
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: Sorry I only caught the end... had pressing affairs of
| state
| (calling girlfriend that is) :D
Jim Ross/Host: We need that applause like in the SI theatre!!
| Well, maybe you're not as wimpish as I thought!!
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: [S Thunderous Applause] --- oh, sorry, wrong system ;)
Jim Ross/Host: Speaking of girl friends. My wife just back from CA.
| You'll excuse me,
| folks. . . . . Transcript of conference as soon as we can make
| it, folks
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Disney/Dave..>I will hang around for any
| afterglow questions!
George White: Disney, I would have paid double what you charge for the
| game!
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: What's the air speed velocity of an unladen sparrow?
Jim Ross/Host: Do that, Dave, and I'll send you the transcript and
| you can add 'em if
| necessary.
| Wimp: 2 times a pterodactyl.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Hey, it's a FAST Ptery!
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: Hehehe... the slewodactyl you mean :)
Jim Ross/Host: Poofitypoof. See y'all.
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: Wow, a poof with panache!
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>You know what they say about those panache
| guys! ;)
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: Thanks, Dave --- sorry I missed the best part of the
| show!
Disney Software: Rick, I really expected flight model questions from you?
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: I'll have to snag the transcript when it comes out :)
Disney Software: Owell, just read the book!
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: Well.. I'm under NDA on that!
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: <--- gave up flight model questions for Lent
Disney Software: I think you guys put a bug in their ears though on some
| stuff!
| I too would like a prop editor! Wish they would try anyway!
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: I've gotta run... see you guys later...
George White: Disney, Do you use outside beta testers?
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: and hearty congratulations for all of the awards!!
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: Bug? Did somebody say bug?
Rick L./Assoc SysOp: You really deserve it...
| for creating a new genre.
Disney Software: Disney/Dave..>Not at this time George, unless it's a
| special instance.
Wimp/Ass't.SysOp: Seeya Rick! And megadittos!
END OF RICK LEE'S TRANSCRIPT. IF ANYTHING ELSE SIGNIFICANT HAPPENED
THEREAFTER, IT'S LOST FOREVER.