[HN Gopher] A Pixel Parable
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       A Pixel Parable
        
       Author : facundo_olano
       Score  : 138 points
       Date   : 2025-01-06 00:48 UTC (3 days ago)
        
 (HTM) web link (olano.dev)
 (TXT) w3m dump (olano.dev)
        
       | tobr wrote:
       | I've heard him recount the story of how he ended up at LucasFilm
       | Games before, so I could tell that "Mark" refers to Mark Ferrari.
       | But it certainly feels a little unusual to tell a story like this
       | using only his first name.
        
         | Sharlin wrote:
         | It worked for me. It's intentionally written like a piece of
         | fiction, you don't even have to know the characters are all
         | real people to enjoy the story. Though I guess most readers at
         | least know who "Ron" refers to.
        
           | macintux wrote:
           | Most, perhaps, but I have no clue.
        
             | fractallyte wrote:
             | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Gilbert
        
       | Teever wrote:
       | I started researching Skywalker Ranch recently and I've found it
       | quite difficult to find floor plans or pictures of the interior
       | of the building.
       | 
       | It's kind of odd. I wonder what Disney has in store for that
       | place.
       | 
       | I hope that it is preserved due the historical role that it had
       | in being the site of the genesis of so many of our cherished
       | cultural artifacts.
        
       | tbenst wrote:
       | Beautifully written and worth the read. And the screensaver nerd
       | snipe is epic.
        
       | nick__m wrote:
       | That was a great read!
       | 
       | The library at Skywalker Ranch looked like a wonderful place.
        
       | LordDragonfang wrote:
       | Anyone have a link to "Purcell's million-dollar animation" of the
       | grail scene? I'm really curious to see it now.
        
         | facundo_olano wrote:
         | https://www.reddit.com/r/indianajones/comments/1hwce4a/india...
        
           | MollyRealized wrote:
           | Interesting: not Donovan, but Indy. And my first reaction was
           | "mehhh" but then I told my brain to quit being a smartass,
           | would my 15-year-old self have been impressed? Damn straight
           | they would've.
        
       | corysama wrote:
       | Mark was nice enough to invite me to his home studio when I was a
       | new high school grad to talk working in games as an artist. He
       | told me the story of the fight over dithering. I give him strong
       | partial credit for ending up a game engine/art pipeline coder
       | instead and got to thank him after his most excellent GDC
       | presentation on the lost power of palettized textures
       | https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aMcJ1Jvtef0
       | 
       | You can see that power in action here
       | 
       | http://www.effectgames.com/demos/canvascycle/ (Hit show options)
       | 
       | http://www.effectgames.com/effect/article-Old_School_Color_C...
       | 
       | BTW: Deluxe Paint has been remade in Python if you want to give
       | it a try https://github.com/mriale/PyDPainter
        
       | johnmaguire wrote:
       | Wonderful read, thanks for sharing!
        
       | peepee1982 wrote:
       | I loved reading this! Not just because some of those games are
       | deeply ingrained in my childhood, but also because the writing
       | itself is exceptional. The structure is strong, there's no fluff,
       | and it's still vivid and playful. I loved it.
       | 
       | I also read the author's thoughts on the writing process, and the
       | way he described it closely mirrored how I approach working on
       | music, which was illuminating.
       | 
       | I also loved the article about how software development is a form
       | of knowledge building. Once again, excellent writing!
        
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       (page generated 2025-01-09 23:01 UTC)