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11/03/2002 Interview with Jason Goldman- author of 300 Bowl, Pinballz, Dartz & HexCon
Where are you based and how long have you been developing games for the Palm?
I write my software in the comfort of my home, in Long Island, New York. I have been programming since I was 14, and have been making a living doing freelance programming and tech support for the several New York City based companies. I remember hearing one of my father’s friends saying that he was a game programmer for the Apple – must have been 1982 or so. Last year I finally decided to see if I could make a living at it, bolstered by the knowledge that the guys at AstraWare had done it, and started pushing away the clients so I could spend weeks at a time programming the palm.
How long does it take to program one of your games on average(from start to release)?
It can vary greatly. Usually it takes longer to decide which game to do, and how to do it, than to actually get it done. I usually spend two months choosing the game to do, and letting the game take shape in my head and doing most of the graphics before I am ready to start programming. The programming phase can take 2 to 4 weeks, 18 hours a day, 7 days a week – I work best in an uninterrupted burst, although my corporate clients do all they can to interrupt me Then a day or two to do a web page and post it around the net, and a week or two making adjustments that users request, and fixing problems that crop up out in the field. As I do more games, each of these times gets a bit shorter.
What's the best game you have developed for the Palm and why?
Tough question. Pinballz is the most impressive technically (getting realistic ball physics on the palm was quite the trick), but 300 Bowl is the most polished, and graphically pleasing.
What's your favourite Palm game/application by another developer and why?
Another tough question. I have enjoyed many from Astraware, and have a long list of favorite games and indispensable apps from others (Tank Pilot, Zio Golf, Quick Office) Mostly it is games that provide long term playability and apps that “get the job done” (The same criteria I try to apply to software I write).
Do you have future plans to support the Sony Clie's enhanced features in your programs i.e. Hi-res screen, Jog Dial etc.?
I have plans for high res applications in the near future. That's the answer I wanted to hear!
What's your planned next development/game?
Sorry, I always keep everything hush-hush until a week or less before release
What PDA do you use and why?
I use the M505. It is the fastest, smallest, and easiest to view under bright sunlight of the color palms.
Is it possible to make a living out of programming PDA applications?
Yes. You can’t count on making a “smash-hit” that will sell 50,000 copies, but you can make a living (and who knows, you might get a smash-hit after all) My plan has been to phase out my consulting business, and phase in the shareware programming over a two year period – planning to have 8 to 10 titles by then. It takes a while for the software to begin generating enough income to stand on its own, but it adds up. I am less than a year into my plan and I am just about at the point where I can do it full time.
Who do you think will win the battle- Palm/Sony or Microsoft Pocket PC?
I think that the Pocket PC is an expensive, underpowered PC – I have owned them in the past, and was disappointed. I currently find the palm to be just perfect for its intended use. In the near future the pocket pc’s will get even closer to their desktop counterparts, becoming “palm sized pc’s” at which point they will win the battle (should the cost be low enough) Until that day I imagine that the Pocket PC will take %40 of the market some day soon. I do have intentions to program for the Pocket PC, and there is a good chance I will do a full sized windows app or two one day.
What feature would you like to see in the next generation PDA's?
The one thing I have been waiting for is a color model, the size of the M505, with full wireless internet built in.
If you want more information about Jason's games for the Palm OS please visit his web wite at www.jasongoldman.com