MEET MORE OF THE TEAM.
It’s that time again, to meet more members of our team. In addition to sharing the basics, these team members also answered your crazy questions asked on the official forums!
http://avatars.ubi.com/FC2/blog/gtherien.jpg Gabriel Therien - LEVEL DESIGNER
Background: Prior to joining Ubisoft I completed a degree in Multimedia integration followed by an A.E.C. (attestation of collegial studies) in Level Design at Campus Ubisoft.
FC2: I’m a level designer for the singleplayer portion of the game. I provide the player with an immersive experience by creating interesting challenges and bringing out the best gameplay. I’m also the target of my level artist’s Nerf gun.
Favorite hobby: Watching the Food Network, and then trying to replicate what I just saw with either resounding success or complete failure (usually the latter).
What makes you get out of bed in the morning? My girlfriend usually pushes me out and takes all the blankets, so I really have no choice.
Favorite game: Super Metroid tied with Chrono Trigger.
http://avatars.ubi.com/FC2/blog/madelongchamps.jpg Marc-Andre Deslongchamps - GRAPHICS TECHNICAL DIRECTOR
Background: I used to do video post-production at DromadereMedia in Montreal, and I left to study Videogame Design at NAD Center. First game I worked on was Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory as a level artist, then on Splinter Cell: Double Agent as assistant technical director.
FC2: I’m graphics technical director. I’m responsible for the technical quality of production, and assure technical support to team members and guide and assist them in the best practices possible. I’m also responsible with Gabriel Therien for beating our producer’s ass at foozeball (we take our job very seriously).
Favorite hobby: Cooking with my girlfriend!
Who’s harder: Chuck Norris or Robocop? Chuck Norris ftw. Robocop eats baby food for breakfast…but Chuck Norris eats Robocop for snacks!
Favorite Game: Damn... Right now I’d say Call of Duty 4 since I played the beta until my eyes bled, but I’d say System Shock 2 and Final Fantasy VII rank pretty high on my scale. I’m also a big fan of the Hitman and Deus Ex series.
http://avatars.ubi.com/FC2/blog/gfrechette.jpg Guillaume Frechette - AI/GAMEPLAY LEAD PROGRAMMER
Background: I previously worked on the Far Cry brand. I also worked as a mascot during my study, but this is another shameful story. :)
FC2: I’m the AI & gameplay lead programmer (or team lead, I don’t know if this term is used outside of Ubisoft). I’m responsible of the whole programming team delivering controls, weapons, AI, etc. We work closely with game designers & level designers to deliver a fun and engaging game.
Favorite hobby: I don’t have much time outside of working & gaming (gaming takes a huge chunk of my life), but when I do, I enjoy…well…gaming some more. I also like to sleep on Saturday morning.
How did Dominic Guay get his black eye? You know, each programmers fight for his share of CPU. I can now officially announce that we (the AI & gameplay team) now have enough CPU to deliver kick-ass AI. :)
Favorite Game: I cannot decide if Day of the Tentacle or Ninja Gaiden I for NES is truly my all-time favourite game. The game that made me decide to work on AI as a professional is Half-Life; the AI was so incredible for the time it was released.
http://avatars.ubi.com/FC2/blog/vgault.jpg Vincent Gault - CHARACTER MODELER
Background: I used to be an assistant manager in a sports store. I’m a self-taught person and I learned 3D while working in the store. I have also been a member of the Dirty Racer student game.
FC2: I’m a character modeler. Currently I’m working on one of the buddies, Franck Bilders, and some civilians.
Favorite hobby: Sports. I play rugby (well I’m supposed to) and I go to the UBI gym once or twice a week.
Why do Americans/Canadians call football “soccer”? Really good question…the real problem is not how they
call football, but how they
play football.
Favorite Game: Half-Life and its Day of Defeat and Team Fortress mods.
http://avatars.ubi.com/FC2/blog/DPMartinez.jpg David Punset Martinez - GAMEPLAY PROGRAMMER
Background: I worked on Praetorians for Pyro Studios as lead programmer. When I joined Ubisoft I worked on Rainbow Six Vegas as a gameplay programmer.
FC2: I’m a gameplay programmer working on weapons, interactions, and avatar animations.
Favorite non-gaming indulgence: Hanging out with my friends at bars and clubs.
Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi
Favorite Game: That’s a very tough question. If I had to choose I would say God of War and the Final Fantasy’s.
http://avatars.ubi.com/FC2/blog/jediaz.jpg Juan Esteban Diaz - ANIMATOR
Background: I finished my Communication studies degree at Concordia university while doing various extracurricular activities and part-time jobs in producing and acting in various musicals, TV commercials, and fashion events. Last year I joined the Campus Ubisoft to specialize in 3D animation and now I am working on Far Cry 2!
FC2: I dedicate myself to making sure that all the animations I am being delegated have a nice look and feel to them, especially the first person animations (Healing, buddy rescue, etc).
Favorite hobby: Plane spotting! I love to study all aspects of civil aviation. I think I was an airline pilot in my previous life!
Pirates or ninjas? Ninjas, definitely
Favorite Game: Half-Life 2