Yeah, but MSFT would be surpising! Unless it is to work on Asheron's Call or D3D. My WAG is that he's going to a hardware company, probably back to 3dfx. Here is - for lack of a better word - my analysis.
HW: 3dfx or NVDA - doubtful for NVDA, possible for 3dfx. The difference is that 3dfx has a proprietary API (which he wrote) and is looking to reinvigorate their developer contacts.
SW: Why would Hook leave id to work for another SW company?
* Asheron's Call or Everquest - unlikely. Hook's expertise is graphics, not game design. (Not to say he isn't good at game design, just that he's better at graphics and engines.) Asheron's Call more likely since Everquest already is released.
* Direct3D - unlikely since we probably would not "submit to my authoritaaa" as Cartman would say. But besides that, he would be very good here.
* OpenGL/SGI - unlikely. More mature than D3D, so less need.
* Ion Storm - I've found it! He is quitting id to go work on Daikatana so he can quit after 1 week and work on
* Prey - I doubt it, but it's still possible.
* Hasbro - Finally! Risk3D! (TM)
* Ultima Online 2 - I know they recently (April) were looking for a head game designer or director for this. Maybe it's Hook? Doubtful.
* Some other 3D game company - Most likely, if they made him a principal in the company and it was well established (like EA).
I'm sure some of you will not be surprised when you see where I've ended up. |
