Aspyr 2, Electric Code-aloo
So today is my last day at Apple and my first day back at my old job at Aspyr. I decided after after a fair amount of waffling that I really enjoyed my old job much more than the new one at Apple. It got to the point where I wanted to wake up each morning and look forward to my job - and I wasn't. I don't know if I can go into specifics about what all I've been up to the last few months, but I would stress that it wasn't a "people" issue - Kent, Geoff and John Stauffer were all very kind and very willing to work with me. But Apple is a large company with a focused direction, and it felt like at times Apple was the lover that I was hoping to change to fit my own needs, which is not a good way to approach a job. ;-)
So it's back to Aspyr. I remember when I left Aspyr last year that I was kinda bummed because I loved my job and working with the people there, so it's a very easy thing for me to go back, and I feel like I can pick back up and get rolling really easily and quickly. I've worked with this team since 1999 so it's a lot like going back to family after a summer backpacking around Europe.
Comments
Good luck back at Aspyr, Brad.
I'm not sure whether this is bad news about Apple's ability to employ the good guys, and Apple's interest in getting OGL right; or good news about the future of Aspyr's gaming titles.
I'm sure it's good news for you and Beth, though :-)
Posted by: AlanH | May 10, 2008 04:19 PM
Sorry your dream job didn't work out. Another case of "the grass is always greener..."
Posted by: Humbaba | May 11, 2008 05:47 PM
I had a similar disillusionment working with Apple. I feel the same way you do; happy to have worked there but also happy to have left.
Good luck, hopefully your "vacation" can help Aspyr. And don't forget about KotOR! i've gone from iBook to MacBook with nary a single playable build.
Posted by: Erik | May 17, 2008 12:39 AM
Hi Brad,
Sorry it didn't work out at Apple, but it is great to see that you are going back to Aspyr. We Mac gamers are lucky to have you!
All the best,
Joe
Posted by: Joe Newhouse | May 17, 2008 08:53 AM
Well at least we have a developer on the outside that knows what it's like on the inside of Apple. Too bad it didn't work out Brad, I understand though. It's a lot of hard work on things that are not always as cool as one would think and the learning curve can be very steep which can be a bit daunting for anyone.
Good luck in the future and I am glad you got your old job back at Aspyr.
Mike
Apple OpenGL
Posted by: Mike | May 18, 2008 09:59 PM
Welcome back to the game world. May I work on another of your games and pick it apart :-)
James Robrahn
Posted by: James Robrahn | May 19, 2008 12:37 PM
Hey Brad,
Sorry the Apple thing didn't pan out. But it's great you could get your old gig back at Aspyr again. Better still - you get to be back home for good. I myself am deeply jealous.
- Nathan
Posted by: Nathan Strum | May 29, 2008 01:22 AM
Not sure if you remember, but I'm one of the TransGaming guys that met you a few times at Apple HQ. It was always nice to chat with you there since you had so much experience from the porting side of things. So, it's sad to see that you won't be around for my next trip out there, but congrats on the new/old position! It's definitely always important to love your job, so best of luck with the transition!
Posted by: Jason Green | May 29, 2008 11:58 PM
Brad, my son Ben (now working for BlackRock) suggested I should advise you about serious problems with both Civ3 & 4 after installing the OSX 10.5.3 update on my "Pro and iMac - both 2.4 Core2Duo. I suspect the problem is Apple's, but a gentle push in the right direction :)
All the best to Ian. I think I sort of know how he feels, being 65 and a heavy smoker:(
Posted by: Boffey | June 2, 2008 06:14 AM
Welcome back, Brad. I think Aspyr deserves you more, and we need those ported games! :-)
Posted by: Lars Christensen | June 18, 2008 06:38 AM