Ade is the lead programer of the pinballs in the Pro Pinball series. The interview was made during the wait for timeshock! and therefore lots of questions were asked about it.


Who are you

Q Who are you?

A I am the Pro Pinball Team Leader.

Q How come you got started with computers.

A It all began when I saw a feature on "The Money Programme" announcing a new device called the ZX80...

Q Did you start programming in a early age?

A Probably.


The Web

Q What in heavens gave you the Idea of making a pinball game that became such a big hit?

A Nobody had produced a realistic 3D pinball simulation, I wanted to change that.

Q We all know you are the leading person in the making of the Pro Pinball series, what is it you do.

A I'm responsible for the design of the tables and coding of the rules. With another member of the team I'm also responsible for the physical simulation.


Programming

Q PP/TW had great physics, Isn't it difficult to create a game with realistic ball movement. How do you achieve that? What kind of style do you use?

A Realistic ball movement isn't that hard to do. Simulating the flipper accurately is the biggest challenge.

Q For what I know Ballistic is supposed to use a more "sophisticated" way of simulating the ball. Instead of masks is uses vectors, what do you say about this?

A I've no idea what method Ballistic uses, and I'm not willing to discuss the methods we employ. Though I can say that Timeshock! uses techniques that The Web doesn't.


Timeshock!

Q Will Timeshock be much like TW. I'm thinking of the table layout, graphics, sound, physics.

A The table layout for T! is much more complicated than TW. T! Has lots of diverts and physical lock points. All the sound effects are new and improved. The music is produced by Jake and Bruce like TW but it is now mixed using Dolby Surround tm. The physics have been completely redesigned and rewritten.

Q What will the table theme be like? (or is it classified, if so.. reveal some!:)

A The theme involves traveling through time to collect fragments of a shattered time crystal. The time crystal is needed to stop a deadly shockwave of anti-time..

Q Have you heard of a upcoming game called "Ballistic Pinball". The Team are having it programmed. Do you think it has any chance of competing with Timeshock!.. and why?

A I have heard of Ballistic, in fact I've played it. Ballistic in appearance is more like TW than any other pinball simulation, so from that point of view they are competing with us. It is difficult not to be biased, but if it's OK, I'd like to quote Jon Hall from his ECTS report:

"The ball physics weren't quite in the Pro Pinball league"

Plus, in my humble opinion we have moved on somewhat since producing TW.

Q Will you be adding any new futures to the game, such as tournament play, network, Internet (!?) capabilities, new angels?

A We have at least six viewing angles. Tournament, novice, challenge and regular modes of play. And yes we do have Internet support (the details of which we will be announcing soon).

Q The first game needed quite a while be for the USA release. Will it work better this time (and when will it be released) I'm aware of the switch Empire-Interplay, but since Empire still have their web site up It's a bit confusing.

A We still work for Empire Interactive, the USA deal with Interplay was only for distribution. At this point in time it looks like there will be simultaneous worldwide release for T!


Last

Q Have you got any plans for a third pinball in the PP series?

A Yes, we are designing it as I type.

Q Last I must ask if you will let me beta test Timeshock! =))

A Sorry, we currently have more than sufficient testing capability.