Insights into the 51 Characters App - Interview with Steffen Itterheim

Hello Folks,

for those of you waiting for a new character to pop up today - well we thought differently. Here is a small interview with Steffen Itterheim - the guy behind the code of the iphone app. Enjoy!

Hi Steffen, you developed the 51 Characters application. Why did you join the project?

I was drawn in by the characters actually. I appreciate the style and I think they are excellent work from an artistic point of view. Since the app was easy enough for me to do it gave me a great opportunity to start building a foundation for future iPhone projects. Plus it was a cool "I did that" kind of project that may not impress you with innovative game design but a very clear visual style and flow. Having such a polished product that I can show to potential clients makes them feel more comfortable and increases the chance to close a deal, so i benefit simply from being able to "show & tell", something I learned works quite well from my time at Electronic Arts.

Steffen, what was the biggest challenge for you when developing the app?

That was definetely implementing the In-App mail and making it work with the cocos2d engine. Without going too much into technical details it's a bit like trying to extend a Playmobil building with Lego blocks. They don't naturally fit together so there's the issue of properly handing over control to the iPhone's native UI and giving it back to OpenGL when it's done without one interfering with the other. Luckily for me, the users of the cocos2d engine are very friendly and knowledgeable and i was able to bring together the bits and pieces of information that make the transition work.

Which one is your favourite character?

Seppuku! The expression on his face is hilarious even though he's in such a serious situation, with his stomach pierced by a knife and all. He portrays Harakiri, the form of suicide supposed to restore one's honor. Maybe it's so hilarious to me since the idea of Harakiri is rather disturbing and strange for someone not familiar with the japanese culture. Although I admit their idea of honor is quite Klingon, so to speak, so as a Star Trek fan I do respect that. :)

Which nation would you like to see next?

Not sure but naturally a european country would be great. I can imagine spanish, french, dutch, british, italian all very well. Naturally german characters would be great, too! Religious leaders could also be an interesting subject. There are enough influential leaders or archetypes to portray and I think the beliefs and practices of other cultures should be common knowledge, so a "51 Religious Leaders" app could be an interesting instrument for teaching the diversity of religion that exists in our world.

Please, let us know what are your next projects (that you can talk about)

Well, there's a kid's game in development for Ravensburger Digital and hopefully it will be followed by a port of a well known board game from Ravensburger. I also get requests for cooperation here and there and I'm weighing my options, I'm open to every idea. But most of all I want to design and program my very own iPhone game from start to finish, something that I can say is completely mine. Then make millions with it. At least that's the plan. I already have a concrete idea in mind, something that takes Flight Control to the next level. I suppose that's something every other game developer would say about their game but I know what I can achieve and sometimes you got to reach for the stars to land on the moon! And no, it's not going to be called Moon Control or Moon Flight, although I can think of pretty cool game ideas for both of them.

In case someone would like to do an app with you where would they find you?

On my application site www.gametooldeveloper.com is everything you need to know about me, including CV, references and a contact e-mail. I maintain a copy of this page in german under www.steffenitterheim.de and if you want to follow what i do or think you might want to read my blog where i post under the alias of GamingHorror at www.gaminghorror.net - the name is a homage to Jeff Atwood's CodingHorror blog that I consider to be the best programming related blog and maybe a few years down the road mine will have a similar status among game development related blogs.

I also run the german site www.spieleentwicklungsland.de where I publish my "SpieleEntwicklerVeteranen Podcast" to a german speaking audience of prospective or soon to be game developers. The idea is to give a behind-the-scenes look on game development, something that is not very commonly found and apparently I've struck a nerve with this podcast. I never expected it to become so popular so quickly, so i'll do my best and publish new episodes more often.

Thanks for the interview and again thank you for the great support.

You're welcome, I enjoyed it! :)

posted by Tim E. Fischer

Comments

[Christian Louboutin Outlet]

He ought to come,' said Emma. 'If he could stay only a couple of days, he ought to come; and one can hardly conceive a young man's not having it in his power to do as much as that.

[ray ban outlet]

They are jealous even of his regard for his father. In short I can feel no dependence on his coming, and I wish Mr. Weston were less sanguine.

[burberry outlet]

But at present there was nothing more to be said. Mr. Woodhouse very soon followed them into the drawing-room.

[MACKLaura29]

Every one understands that modern life seems to be not very cheap, nevertheless different people need money for different things and not every man earns enough cash. Thus to get quick mortgage loans or term loan will be good way out.

[Evering2010]

Thak you for sharing them with us , I think it's worth reading

[Evering2010]

Thak you for sharing them with us , I think it's worth reading

[True Religion Jeans]

I am new to your blog and LOVE IT!!! I used to do double pagers all of the time and then fell in love with single page layouts. I have so many photos that I think I need to go back to doubles. Thanks to you I have some new inspiration.

[Canada Goose Jakke]

Thanks for you sharing.That is good article.I like it. I love it.

[Justin Bieber Shoes]

Thank you for this. I was just worrying about how I could get more readers and feedback on my blog. I think that I am on the right track, and this post gave me some more food for thought.You look awesome and there are some pretty scary chicks in the lineup! I love it all costumes, smack talking,protective gear, trashy names, sounds like a damn good time to me!
Thanks!

[air griffey max]

but for me has experienced many, is also needs me diligently, now my change is also this influence, I thought that whenever comes across the setback, thinks that once success, the defeat, had the enjoying place surely! Human who I will not forget all the time once to help me!

[uggs.com]

It is already in my favourite list and i will try to follow it when possible . Thanks for the nice posts .

[MBT Sale]

I just realized I'll still be typing next week if I keep talking about the great stuff we've gotten, so I'm going to list it!

[taobao mall]

He is a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs.
*_*

[cheap coach handbags]

Young, 42, retired in 2006, after his second stint with the St. Louis Blues. He also played for the Hartford Whalers, the Penguins (won a Cup), the Nordiques, the Avalanche (won another Cup) and the Stars. A forward, Young played in 1,181 games and racked up 342 goals and 415 assists. In 2001, he scored 40 goals for St. Louis.

[Taobao.com china]

Wow! I love this!*

[ugg outlet]

The mind, sharp but not broad, sticks at every point but does not move.O(∩_∩)O~

[Coach Bags]

It seems that Christmas time is here once again, and it is time again to bring in the New Year. We wish the merriest of Christmas to you and your loved ones, and we wish you happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.

[air jordans]

Marriage is like a shell, don't pick up the largest and most beautiful, to pick up his love, the most suitable, and picked up, don't go to the beach.

[air jordans]

Marriage is like a shell, don't pick up the largest and most beautiful, to pick up his love, the most suitable, and picked up, don't go to the beach.

[Nike Shox Clearance]

You might have it if it belongs to you,whereas you don't kvetch for it if it doesn't look within your life.

[Nike Shox Rivalry]

For the world civilization, as humans, to build the happiness, I created the national youth, the family, the national youth, the youth, the earth and human youth, the universe by its infinite.Do you think so?