Origin Profiles - Herman Miller

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Worlds Of Origin
Interview
with

Herman Miller

WOO: How long have you worked for Origin?

HM: A little over nine years.

WOO: What does your job entail?

HM: I program mainly in C++, with assembly where necessary. Much of my time is spent doing basic research for the underlying code that makes the game work. I've traditionally taken on areas of the Ultima code such as collision detection, gravity, physical support, and display list sorting, but because of my familiarity with the system I also have done some of the puzzle-related items and other assorted things.

WOO: What kind of hours do you work?

HM: I try to avoid severe overtime these days, though I regularly worked 60-80 hour weeks in the past. I generally limit myself to 40 hours except when necessary to reach a particular well-defined goal.

WOO: Which is toughest in programming: initial layout or the final corrections?

HM: In a complex project, it's generally the final corrections that are trickiest, since a change in one part of the code can potentially affect many others. But there are also parts of the code that are more self-contained, which may take a lot of research and experimentation initially, but don't require much maintenance once the algorithm works.

WOO: Do you hear much from the outside world? Email from fans and such?

HM: Not much.

WOO: Which games have you worked on for Origin?

HM: Ultima V (IBM), Times of Lore (IBM), Ultima VI, Wing Commander, Savage Empire, Ultima VII, Serpent Isle, Ultima VIII, Ultima IX

WOO: Where did you work and which games did you work on before you came to Origin?

HM: I came to Origin straight out of college.

WOO: What do you do with your time when you get a free moment?

HM: Design languages, draw art, read books or Usenet, play music, listen to bird song recordings.

WOO: Do you feel that the fan club has any impact on recent game designs?

HM: I think it's important to take note of what the fans liked and disliked about previous Ultimas, and revive some of the old elements that were successful and well-liked, whenever they fit into our plans.

WOO: What is your favorite computer game?

HM: That's a tough decision, but I think I'd have to say The Incredible Machine II, with Lemmings a close second. I still enjoy Zork.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with us.

Interview done by Richard Ranft.


WOO:	How long have you worked for Origin?
HM:	A little over nine years.

WOO:	What does your job entail?
HM:	I program mainly in C++, with assembly where necessary. Much of my time is spent doing basic research for the underlying code that makes the game work. I've traditionally taken on areas of the Ultima code such as collision detection, gravity, physical support, and display list sorting, but because of my familiarity with the system I also have done some of the puzzle-related items and other assorted things.

WOO:	What kind of hours do you work?
HM:	I try to avoid severe overtime these days, though I regularly worked 60-80 hour weeks in the past. I generally limit myself to 40 hours except when necessary to reach a particular well-defined goal.

WOO:	Which is toughest in programming: initial layout or the final corrections?
HM:	In a complex project, it's generally the final corrections that are trickiest, since a change in one part of the code can potentially affect many others. But there are also parts of the code that are more self-contained, which may take a lot of research and experimentation initially, but don't require much maintenance once the algorithm works.

WOO:	Do you hear much from the outside world? Email from fans and such?
HM:	Not much.

WOO:	Which games have you worked on for Origin?
HM:	Ultima V (IBM), Times of Lore (IBM), Ultima VI, Wing Commander, Savage Empire, Ultima VII, Serpent Isle, Ultima VIII, Ultima IX

WOO:	Where did you work and which games did you work on before you came to Origin?
HM:	I came to Origin straight out of college.

WOO:	What do you do with your time when you get a free moment?
HM:	Design languages, draw art, read books or Usenet, play music, listen to bird song recordings.

WOO:	Do you feel that the fan club has any impact on recent game designs?
HM:	I think it's important to take note of what the fans liked and disliked about previous Ultimas, and revive some of the old elements that were successful and well-liked, whenever they fit into our plans.

WOO:	What is your favorite computer game?
HM:	That's a tough decision, but I think I'd have to say The Incredible Machine II, with Lemmings a close second. I still enjoy Zork.