Are your minds still on Bungie Day? From the questions you asked this week, it looks like the collective answer is “Yes, and tell us more!” On our Community Appreciation Day, the curtain was pulled aside for a shining moment, letting slip a few delicious details. That was then. Now, it’s back to business as usual. We work in silence and darkness. You speculate out in the open. Fortunately, one of our favorite items of business is trading letters with you fine people.
Here’s the Bungie panel that joined me in crafting the correspondence this week. Lukems suggested I let my hair down in describing them, focusing on disciplines more than titles. He also asked me not to quote him, so forget I mentioned it.
Derek Carroll, Designer
Zeke Garcia, Artist
Josh Hamrick, Designer
Nate Hawbaker, Technical Artist
David Johnson, Engineer
Lorraine McLees, Artist
Jason Minard, Engineer
Marty O’Donnell, Composer
Scott Taylor, Producer
Adam Williams, Artist
Michael Williams, Engineer
Artists, Engineers, Designers… Marty. Welcome to our Mail Room. Let’s open the Sack.
SilverBulitt82 What is your most memorable boss battle in any game?
Derek Carroll
Adam Williams
David Johnson
Josh Hamrick
Michael Williams
Mythical Wolf Will you allow the One of Seven winners to take pictures or record their studio tour?
No way. Our studio has a Russell Field generator. It emits a low-yield EMP that disrupts all media capture devices, rendering them completely useless! I can feel you asking then how we take the pictures that you see from inside our WorkPLace. Our cameras are equipped with a Russell Compensator chip that nullifies the effect. On the off-chance that someone smuggles in a camera that actually works, we cover our asses by making all visitors sign an NDA the size of a phone book that grants us permission to kick yours. Hard.
Dropship dude What are your thoughts on the Higgs Boson?
A bunch of our dudes have a big Hadron about it.
Lorraine McLees
Europe is doing great things with science. It's inspiring. Also, the tracking charts of the Higgs Boson particle look a lot like a flying spaghetti monster.
Adam Williams
Honestly, it's pretty cool! I remember learning in high school about Mendelev creating the periodic table and how he predicted the existence and properties of elements that had yet to be discovered based upon the patterns he was seeing. It's really cool to see the modern-day version of that... especially when it involves sciences that requires so much scientific creativity to really explore and understand.
David Johnson
I am in awe of the scale of technology we are using to do science these days. Seeing such a massive device built to detect something so tiny makes me very happy to be part of the human race.
Michael Williams
Science is pretty cool.
Derek Carroll
I find it particularly awesome... heh... hehheh.... heheheheh. Also, I like to picture all the physicists looking for it getting the Metal Gear alert over their heads when they found it. But that's probably just me.
Josh Hamrick
Xd00999 What is your favorite part of this community?
We are always amazed by the way you come together like a hive mind when there is a mystery in play. The speed at which you solve puzzles together is always impressive.
“Our fans are awesome.” -
Achronos
SonOfTheShire If you had your own spaceship, what would you name it?
Science Is Pretty Cool
Derek Carroll
Witchbucket
Lorraine McLees
U.S.S. Magnum
Adam Williams
The Dread Loofah
Michael Williams
I am Jack's Spaceship
Josh Hamrick
I bounce too close to a supernova. I kill Jack.
Gamer Whale What was the most embarrassing thing that happened on Bungie Day?
All compliments about your collective problem-solving skills aside, you super sleuths did sort of over-extend yourselves on Bungie Day. When you all put your heads together, you managed to extract a series of bogus phone numbers from the riddles we dropped into the water. A handful of poor souls had their phones bombed by blood-thirsty fans in a deciphering frenzy.
GrinnialVex Due to some sort of horrible catastrophe, Bungie is forced to resort to cannibalism to survive. Who gets eaten first and why?
It certainly wouldn't be any of us. There's camaraderie in these halls, and we'd look out for one another. (Right... guys? Don't look at me like that... please?)
David Johnson
Flieg (
center). He seems to have the choicest cuts, if you know what I mean.
Derek Carroll
I'm new here, so it would probably be me.
Adam Williams
Eww.
Josh Hamrick
Cheaters: In emergency situations, the banhammer is designed to double as a meat tenderizer.
Michael Williams
Sounds like a salty dish, Michael.
antony X1000 Will we see shirts in the Bungie store for the other avatars that were added on Bungie Day any time soon?
Soon™ is a slippery designation of time, friend. It’s terribly subjective, as you will find. As a Bungie newb, I had to be schooled by Marty the Elder in our use of that word to skirt all questions, large and small.
Malfar Complete the following statement: "How cool would it be..."
…if we could talk about what we’re working on here?
Derek Carroll
...if someday I got a chance to write music with Paul McCartney!
Marty O’Donnell
...if we figured out what gravity is.
Lorraine McLees
…if Day Z was recreated with full studio support and an updated engine?
Adam Williams
...in degrees Centigrade if it were 32 degrees Fahrenheit?
David Johnson
…if I could make you crap your pants with a single thought!
Josh Hamrick
...if we can double or triple the energy stored in batteries? As battery tech advances, we are going to see some amazing sci-fi level stuff.
Michael Williams
xNiGhThAwKx19 What can you tell us about the enigmatic symbols on both the shirts and in the Bungie Day announcement article?
I can tell you nothing about them that you don't already know, tenacious investigator: They exist. You will learn more about their role in our new universe Soon™.
And, I intend to tease you with them whenever they come up in conversation. Look! There they are again…
And if you start dialing your phone while looking at that, I will kick your ass.
GPK Ethan Is it worth pursuing a Master’s Degree in Computer Science?
MASTER! MASTER! MASTER OF SCIENCE!
Sorry, what was the question?
Derek Carroll
I think it depends what you're trying to do with your career. I've heard that any Computer Science degree is a ridiculously good thing to have - and that it can open just about any door for you.
Adam Williams
Bachelor of Science, yes... Master's... eh.... I dunno. What do you wanna do with it? Can you do it while you work?
Josh Hamrick
I have a Master's Degree in Computer Science, and... honestly, I suppose it really depends on what you're pursuing. In part, it DOES help make you more competitive and lucrative when getting into the workforce at the very beginning, and I'll admit that I learned quite a bit during my Master's curriculum (advanced networking, hardcore matrix multiplication, genetic algorithms, and the like). However, there does get to a point in the working world where your experience will inevitably trump your education in terms of what employers look for. Sure, it does help to be able to go back and draw inspiration from concepts I explored during university, but your mileage may vary drastically (plus or minus) depending on what sort of CS you're looking to do.
David Johnson
If you are asking about getting into the game industry, a Bachelor’s is usually sufficient to open doors for an interview. However, experience and relevant knowledge can be just as important as a degree. A Master's degree (focused correctly) is one way to get some of that experience and knowledge, and it can help you stand out from the crowd. In non-game CS fields, having a Master’s degree can be a much bigger advantage.
Michael Williams
ECOH Cam What did you guys do to celebrate Bungie Day?
This question is not about we did, as much as what we will do. Our observance of Bungie Day lands elsewhere on the calendar. On the Seventh day of the Seventh month, we devote all our attention to the Seventh Column. When it's our turn to celebrate, we will gather together under a cloak of darkness to reap the bounty of a Dionysian feast of food and spirits as we summon the elder gods to deliver a message about our progress in bringing something new and dangerous to life.
defnop552 They say you learn something new every day. What did you learn today?
It’s 2012 and web content management systems still kinda suck.
Derek Carroll
That the sweetness of watching the score being run up in softball with your Bungie co-workers is a fantastic feeling.
Jason Minard
TIL About
bacon donuts.
Adam Williams
That not everyone keeps lunch appointments with you, no matter how sacred the lunch hour may be.
David Johnson
I don't want to ever have to resort to cannibalism at Bungie.
Josh Hamrick
While Rijndael encryption is the origin of AES, there are a few key differences.
Michael Williams
JScientia13 I don't believe I have seen anyone from Bungie's network staff on Breaking In. Any chance one could talk about what they do in the near future?
Sure. In fact, let’s take it a step further, and let you get in on the act of
asking some of the questions. I have already solicited a volunteer to appear before your firing squad. He shall remain anonymous for now. What do you want to know about Network Engineering?
MAC Blast What TV show has the best intro?
Derek Carroll
Jason Minard
Scott Taylor
Nate Hawbaker
Adam Williams
David Johnson
Josh Hamrick
Michael Williams
callOFdutyFAN12 If I barged into the studio uninvited and started doing a series of flips, what would happen?
I don’t think you would get very far. That would be one flip, rather than a series of flips.
SPRTN One One 7 If you can give one honest, sincere, piece of advice about college and getting a job in the gaming industry, what would it be?
As I said in my
Breaking In, the most important things are to make stuff, and show that stuff to other people. (Lather, rinse, repeat.)
Derek Carroll
College does not necessarily have anything at all to do with ending up in the gaming industry. I have a bachelor's degree in philosophy, a master's in history and here I am! Work hard, be passionate and become great at what you do.
Jason Minard
No matter how good, bad, expensive, free, reputable, etc. your college or your instructors are, it won't mean squat if you don't put in the effort inside and OUTSIDE of class to truly excel at your passion. This is especially true on the art side of things. Polycount. Is. Awesome.
Adam Williams
Do it, and unless you get extremely lucky and land a job you just can't do without midway, finish college. Honestly, the best classes (at least in computer science) are the ones you take during your junior and senior years because that's when you get to do your elective classes -- which means that you finally get to study what's interesting to you. And while it's not technically necessary to have a college degree to break into the gaming industry, it will make it all the more easier. You will almost certainly learn a lot in the process, both about your field and about you.
David Johnson
College: If you're going to spend all that money, make it worthwhile. Bust your ass and get something done.
Industry: Start making games now. Mods, home made, whatever... there are enough tools at your disposal to get things done. Every game you make will be better than your last and therefore, when you go for your first industry job interview, you'll have sweet experience to reference (and even show).
Josh Hamrick
Start building your portfolio right now, no matter what you want to do in the game industry. Draw or model environments, animate characters, compose, or program tiny games in your spare time. Ideally in collaboration with others. By the time you graduate, you will have the huge advantage of having some hands on experience with the industry you want to join.
Michael Williams
Whatever you’re studying just remember the goal is to try to make that into some sort of profession or career, it’s never too late or too early to learn that profession and be as professional about it as you can. If you’re truly following your passion this should come easy to you and shouldn’t ever feel like work; it should be fun and feel more like play.
Zeke Garcia
Don’t listen to these nerds. That all sounds like a lot of hard work. Here’s a tip from your Uncle DeeJ: Just play a lot of games and start a blog. Also, try not to leak sensitive stuff, should you ever happen upon it. That’s a great way to fire-proof your bridges.
devastat0r09 I want to see a new Bungie ViDoc.
robby118 The Community is hungry for another podcast.
Soon™.
See how that works? It’s a brand of tyranny that we have always enjoyed. Let me lower the hackles I've raised with a prediction for something that will happen sooner than later. We'll continue to open these Mail Sacks to make sure that we're never too far away from the conversation that you sustain in our home on the Internet. The next one will visit our virtual shores on Monday, true to form.