Eric Klein is Apple Computer’s Games Evangilist. We recently sat down with him in a hotel room during the Apple/Motorola Games Kitchen to talk about, what else, Macintosh games.
IMG: Can you give us a little background about yourself and how you eventually ended up as the Apple Games Evangelist?
Klein: It’s the typical story of an Apple employee. In 1986 a friend showed me a MacPlus, and I instantly realized that this computer was the coolest thing I had ever seen. I sold my home built PC AT and every piece of IBM software I owned, and bought that MacPlus. I went to work at Apple in 1991, and jumped at the opportunity to evangelize Mac games last year. As a avid gamer, I want to see all of the best games out for the Mac, and help Mac game developers be successful.
IMG: So what does a Games Evangelist do?
Klein: 
IMG: Are games a high priority in for Apple these days? If so, why?
Klein: Game developers are important to Apple!! Apple created the Game Evangelist position to spearhead our gaming efforts, and focuses more company resources on games every year. When our engineering groups create new technologies, they consult with game developers early on for feedback. Our PowerMac marketing effort includes cool game ads. Apple realizes that gaming is important [and fun!] for our customers, and we want to help ensure the best games are on the Macintosh.
IMG: To me 1994 seemed to me to be more of a transitional year and was overall a little slow. What are your feelings on 1995? Do you think 1995 could be a huge year for Mac games?
Klein: 
IMG: In what ways does Apple try to help game developers?
Klein: Apple has specific technical and marketing programs to help game developers and publishers. From the technology side, we provide developers technology seeding, development kitchens, developer technical support, and direct contact with Apple’s engineering teams. From the marketing side, we have ad campaigns, co-marketing opportunities, bundling, and other options.
IMG: We are video taping this interview in the Apple/Motorola Games Kitchen. What do you hope to accomplish with these game kitchens?
Klein: 
IMG: Where should Macintosh game developers go if they need help and advice?
Klein: Apple offers many levels of support. Our Developer Services group offers technical support, seeding, and access to development tools for its members. Contact Apple at 408-974-4817 for more information. Evangelism supports all game developers with a variety of programs, and I personally can be contacted at the Internet address KLEIN@APPLE.COM. I also recommend making contact with other game developers through conferences [including the annual Computer Gaming Developers Conference] and on-line services and the Internet. There is also going to be a great book on Mac game development released this summer.
IMG: What is Apple’s strategy behind Pippin, Apple’s new game/edutainment machine?
Klein: 
IMG: Developing games on the Macintosh is quite different than developing games for DOS machines. Anything advice or pitfalls a game developer should try to avoid before entering the Macintosh game market?
Klein: My big comment is to examine your Mac audience. Mac gamers expect more from their games because their machines are capable of far more. Hi-res art, great sound, and of course, awesome game play, are the norm for Mac games. Game developers who miss this point may not be successful when they port their titles. Evangelism can help developers port their titles to Mac.
IMG: What are some common mistakes Macintosh game developers make?
Klein: Mac game developers are faultless! [Or at least close] My big comment for developers is to listen to your customers, and work as hard as you can to make the hardware sing. And boy can the Mac belt out a tune [the Mac is technically a great platform for gaming, especially with PowerMac].
IMG: Now that you’ve been the Games Evangelist for a year, are there any goals you still haven’t accomplished?
Klein:  
IMG: What is the toughest part of your job?
Klein: Finding the time to go home! Many comment that I have the coolest job in the world. I often reply that my job is like a person who finds a lamp in the sands. Rub, rub, out pops a genie! “I would like a billion dollars,” the person says. Genie says, “Are you sure?” “Yup!” Down pours a billion dollars in nickels, burying the person forever. Mac gaming is growing so fast I often feel buried in opportunities.
IMG: DOOM II looks like it’ll be a huge hit on the Mac. Do you think it’s a title that will bring more PC publishers into the Macintosh market?
Klein: 
IMG: Now that the PowerPC has been out for a year now we’ve seen a small
stream of Power Mac games. Should all developers be developing for the
PowerPC and when do you think developers should go with Power Mac only games?
Klein: Developers should create all their titles in a “fat” binary format that will run optimized for both 680x0 Macs and PowerMacs. Most of my developers are moving to that model now. PowerMac is not just about speed. It allows games to do things that technically were not possible before with graphics, sound, and game play. I think you might see some PowerMac only games in early 1996.
IMG: What’s the most difficult aspect in trying to convince a PC game publishers to develop for the Mac?
Klein: 
IMG: What PC game developers have you had luck with and which ones have been more resistant?
Klein: Part of the blessing and curse of my position is that I work with developers on their future products. The products released for Christmas 1994 and over the next few months are the results of work developers started last year. I am now working with developers on products for Christmas 95 and beyond. Recent additions to the Mac gaming community include Access, Digital Pictures, Origin, Id Software, NovaLogic, Reality Bytes, CH Products, Thurstmaster, and many more! 1995 will bring new developers, and many titles from these and other killer Mac game developers!!
IMG: What PC game developer have you had the hardest time with?
Klein: 
IMG: I’m really excited about the new PCI based Power Macs with the 604
chips. What does this mean to Macintosh games?
Klein: SMOKIN! PCI will bring many new options to Mac owners. For gaming, PCI and the evolution of the PowerMac will bring more options in terms of price/performance, and the appearance of cards that bring added game functionality to the Mac.
IMG: Are the lack of good Macintosh game programmers one of the stumbling
blocks as far getting more Macintosh games out there?
Klein: We can’t get enough good people!!! There are more projects than programmers!! What a great situation! Seriously, the Mac game market is in a big growth phase, and most game developers are hiring.
IMG: Why should a gamer buy a Macintosh instead of a Pentium PC?
Klein: People buy Macs because they are simply better machines. This applies to gaming as well. Mac games are of better quality in most cases, and the Mac is a technically superior platform. Ever tried to install a CD-ROM into a PC? Ever debugged your PC CONFIG.SYS to get more expanded memory for a game? Ever tried to configure your PC sound card for that weird game, but can’t remember your DMA channel? Mac gamers just install their title and start playing.
Mac gamers get some of the best games every written, and they are only on the Mac or were Mac first. Graphic Simulations, Bungie, ParSoft, MacPlay, and host of others prove Mac games rule! A Mac gamer gets a great computer that plays great games!
IMG: What types of games do you like? What’s your favorite right now?
Klein: I play just about everything. While I don’t have a favorite, my co-workers and I play Marathon every night at Apple. I do a lot of beta testing of coming Mac titles, but I can’t mention them here. I am also a big NBA Jam fan. BOOMSHOCKALAKA!!
