John W. Ratcliff
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John W. Ratcliff (b. 1961) is a noted game developer, best-known for creating the bestselling games 688 Attack Sub and SSN-21 Seawolf. [1][2]
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Ratcliff began his career as a software developer writing educational software as well as computer programs supporting cardiovascular research at the St. Louis University Hospital.
In conjunction with game publisher Electronic Arts in 1987, he helped create the first 256 color MCGA game 688 Attack Sub. Several years later, he followed up with a sequel entitled SSN-21 Seawolf, again to critical acclaim, and in 1997 released the game Scarab.
His most recent released title was as lead engine programmer for Planetside, published by Sony Online Entertainment. Ratcliff is also credited in Car & Driver (1992) and MechWarrior 2: 31st Century Combat (1995).
Ratcliff continues to be an active member of the game development community and has been a contributing author to such magazines as Dr. Dobb's Journal. In 2006, he worked for AGEIA, where his role was to provide open source tools and technology to facilitate the integration of physics into games. Ratcliff is also a frequent speaker at industry conferences, with a focus on computer technology and algorithms.
Ratcliff also the founded the discussion forums, which he called Atheist Apologetics Research Ministry in parody of Christian Apologetics and Research Ministry (CARM) and which, despite its name, did not promote atheism or any particular philosophy, but rather sought to allow greater latitude in discussions than did CARM's forums. He turned the forum over to another user in December 2006.
[edit] Works
- 688 Attack Sub, 1987
- SSN-21 Seawolf
- Scarab, 1997
- Planetside
- Car and Driver, 1992
- Mechwarrior 2: 31st Century Combat, 1995
