IMG has just posted an extensive interview with Andrew Welch, 'el presidente' of Ambrosia Software and one of the most recognizable names/faces in Mac gaming. When he's not producing in-depth editorials about Mac OS X (see link below) he is shepherding a whole slew of future releases for Ambrosia from development stage to final product. Ambrosia seems set to release one amazing title after another, and this interview provides a status update on all the major titles in progress as well as Andrew's thoughts on the potential impact of OS X on gaming. Here is an excerpt:
IMG: What will Mac OS X be able to do for games that 9.1 has never allowed?
Andrew Welch: Other than better performance for OpenGL, I don't see OS X offering a great deal for games that you couldn't do in OS 9. Developers will have an easier time developing and debugging their games, which certainly could have an impact on developers deciding to port to the Mac.
More than anything, I think OS X will renew people's interest in MacOS as a platform, bringing more people back into the MacOS fold as OS X is refined and optimized. A revitalization, if you will.
IMG: What changes will Deimos Rising have over the initial shareware shoot-em-up, Mars Rising?
Andrew Welch: I've met more than a few people who've stated in no uncertain terms that playing Mars Rising nearly caused their hands to permanently cramp into a most unlikely claw-like shape. Mars Rising was (and still is, frankly -- good games stay good) just one of those games that put you in a ecstatic trance as you played it.
Since we're all for creating more game-addicted zombies, we decided it was high time a sequel to Mars Rising came out! Deimos Rising is everything Mars Rising was, and more -- huge maps with detailed terrain, new enemies to fight, all wrapped up in a killer 16 bit transparent graphics engine with 16 bit sound effects, and explosions that'll make you cringe in self-defense.
This is one pack of zombies that can't wait to play these new games. Read the rest of the interview for more updates, screen shots and details.
