Benjamin Ellinger
16275 NE 85th Street #212
Redmond, WA 98052
Phone #: (512) 293-0765
OBJECTIVE
A technical, teaching and/or leadership position designing and creating, or helping others learn how to design and create, cutting-edge games—where I can expand my professional and technical skills, and have an opportunity for advancement.
EDUCATION
1989-1991, 1993–1994 University of Texas at Austin: Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology (Mathematics minor)
Key project: programming of 3D motion capture analysis software for UT Kinesiology department
TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE
- Operating Systems: Windows 95/98/2K (8 years), Sun Solaris (3 years), Vax VMS (2 years)
- Computer Languages: C/C++ (12 years), C# (3 years), VB.NET (1 year), VBScript/Javascript (4 years), ASP (4 years), Java (1 year), Basic/Visual Basic (10 years), Pascal (3 years), Fortran (2 years), Lingo (1 year), HTML/DHTML (4 years), XML (2 years)
- Physics/Mathematics Programming: 12 years, including kinetic movement, gravity modeling, collision detection, image processing, image recognition, curve fitting, regression, etc.
- AI/Game Systems Programming: 8 years, including expert systems, path-finding, flocking behavior, genetic algorithms, position evaluation, emergent behavior, tactical systems, strategic systems, economic systems, etc.
- User Interface Programming: 5 years, including game interfaces for Windows and web site interfaces.
- Server Programming: 5 years, multi-threading, client-server synchronization, data persistence and backup, security issues, etc.
- Networking Programming: 5 years, including sockets programming, bandwidth optimization, latency issues, etc.
- Graphics Programming: 3 years, DirectX, 2D graphics, image buffering, color-switching, custom sprite formats, some 3D graphics.
- Database Programming: 4 years, Microsoft SQL Server, ADO, database design and optimization.
- Web Programming: 4 years, Microsoft IIS, Commerce Server 2000, Content Manager, ASP, Explorer, Navigator, Java applets, etc.
- Miscellaneous: Microsoft Visual Studio (8 years), Microsoft Office (12 years), Microsoft Access (1 year), Macromedia Director (1 year), Pocket PCs (1 year), SprintDB Pro (1 year), NetBeans IDE (1 year).
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS
- Leadership: ability to organize & lead technically demanding projects; ability to infuse enthusiasm in co-workers and students; ability to connect with individuals and push them to do more than they thought they could.
- Teaching: ability to effectively teach technical/design skills from a real-world perspective—not just theory; ability to teach high-school graduates as well as experienced programmers; desire to develop and perfect curriculum and teaching methods.
- Communication: excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to present technical issues to non-technical people; ability to present economic and/or creative issues to technical people; significant experience in globalization/localization.
- Game Design: writing of detailed game design documents; conceptual computer and paper game design, including real-time strategy games, turn-based games, role-playing games, massively-multiplayer games, tactical games, etc.
- Technical Design: writing of detailed technical specifications, including object-oriented architecture, interface design, web-site design, database design, etc.
- Testing: creation of comprehensive software test plans; experience with Microsoft’s milestone testing structure; substantial experience managing bug databases and performing regressive software testing.
- Versatility: extremely broad base of skills, including programming, writing, game design, public speaking, physics, mathematics, military history, biomechanics, weight-lifting, pop culture (comics, movies, games), etc.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Professor of Game Production and Design for the DigiPen Institute of Technology (2003-present):Currently teaching classes in game production and design for the world’s premier four-year college for computer game programming and animation.
Teacher/Freelance Software Engineer (2001-present):Worked for ITT Technical Institute and Consulting Solutions .NET, teaching Java, ASP, HTML, Visual Basic, MS Office, etc. Worked on a variety of projects, including Dransik (a massively-multiplayer RPG), The Matrix Online (a massively-multiplayer RPG), and the creation of the Personal Content Server (a .NET based content management system).
Software Engineer for Exemplar Technologies, Inc. (1999–2001):Senior engineer and minority partner. Worked on a variety of web-based applications as well as conventional websites.
Freelance Software Engineer (1999):Worked on several freelance projects, including web sites and the “Global Messaging System” for Ultima Online (the world’s leading online game from Origin Systems).
Director of Game Design for Illusion Machines, Inc. (1996–1998): Helped create a number of games and prototypes, including “Dawn of War” (for VIE), “Microsoft Chess”, “Master of Magic II” (for Microprose), and “Settlers of Cataan”.
Software Engineer and Designer for Starjammer Studios (1995–1996):Created “This Means War!”, a real-time strategy game for Windows 3.1 and Windows 95, released by Microprose.
Software Engineer for Scientific Measurement Systems (1992–1993):Worked as a junior software engineer, helping other engineers and working on the “Teleportation” project (see below), until leaving to finish a degree at the University of Texas.
Assistant Editor for Steve Jackson Games (1988–1989):Worked as an assistant editor on a variety of games—left to attend college.
Tutor for the Creative Rapid Learning Center (1988):Tutored high-school dropouts in mathematics to assist them in obtaining a GED.
COMPLETED PROJECTS
The Matrix Online November 2003 to present, Monolith Productions
Freelance designer and programmer for the Matrix Online. Responsible for designing/programming the Designer/Game Master Tool (DGMT), a C# application that allows the management and creation of missions, characters, game data, and game text (including managing localized versions of all game text). All data for the tool is stored in a Microsoft SQL Server database.
Professor of Game Production and Design September 2003 to present, DigiPen Institute of Technology
Responsible for teaching and defining the curriculum for the junior-level game production and design classes at DIT (GAM300 and GAM350), simulating a real-world, year-long game production effort in teams of 4 to 6. Instruction includes network programming, AI programming, physics programming, software engineering, project management, documentation, leadership skills, presentation skills, etc. Also responsible for senior-level classes in MMOGs (GEN400) and high-level languages such as C#, Java, Python, Lua, etc. (GEN450).
Computer Instructor May 2003 to August 2003, Consulting Solutions .NET and ITT Technical Institute
Worked as an instructor for ITT Technical Institute, teaching courses in Java and Visual Basic and as an instructor for Consulting Solutions .NET, teaching courses in ASP, Javascript, and MS Office.
Superslow Tracker March 2003 to August 2003, Freelance
Sole creator (programming and design) of the Superslow Tracker application, a workout tracker for pocket PCs. Written in SprintDB Pro and Microsoft Access.
Dransik September 2002 to May 2003, Freelance
Variety of programming tasks for Dransik, a MMORPG from Asylumsoft. Implemented a complete web-based bug and task tracking system. Implemented a credit card/virtual check/paypal/etc. payment system. Implemented various graphics, pathfinding and AI code. Implemented Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese language support. Implemented website changes and various other random tasks. All applications were for Windows, most in C++, some Visual Basic and Javascript for the web site.
Worth The Wait April 2002 to October 2002, Freelance
Sole programmer for the Worth The Wait multimedia CD for Scott & White hospital. The CD includes videos, interviews, and two games (Spin Your Future and Wipeout). Created with Multimedia Director for both PC and Mac, using Director’s Lingo programming language.
Personal Content Server December 2001 to present, Freelance
Co-creator (programming and design) of the Personal Content Server, a powerful content management system designed to be used by non-technical people. No knowledge of HTML or programming is required. Includes article, document, image, and user management, advertising control, email site updates, bulletin boards, sophisticated security, revision control, reliability (all data is stored in SQL Server) and scalability (designed to handle web farms and server clustering). Includes support for iMode and other web-phone protocols. Written entirely in C# on the server side, with a web-based interface (using DHTML) for all management tasks.
Osteoporosis Research Site September 2002 to present, Freelance
Sole creator (programming and design) of the Osteoporosis Research Site, an internal web site for the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. This site was created using the Personal Content Server (see above) and is used by the non-technical research team to easily share data, papers, and images in a secure manner.
PISailing.com February 2002 to May 2002, Freelance
Sole programmer for the PISailing.com web site, the main source for live reporting on the Worrell 1000 race (a 1000 mile catamaran race up the Atlantic seaboard). This site was created using the Personal Content Server (see above) and allowed the PISailing team to post live updates to the site from their catamaran (by using email from a mobile phone).
UBISoft.com August 2001 to October 2001, Freelance
Programmer for the UBISoft.com web site, the primary site for game software giant UBISoft (owner of games such as Myst, Rogue Spear, Settlers, and many, many more). This site is a full Microsoft Commerce Server/Microsoft Content Manager solution. This solution was the one chosen by Beemania Software (with my input) for UBISoft. Worked with the Beemania Software team and the UBISoft.com programmers to create a custom solution that the UBISoft.com team could easily maintain and expand on their own (as new games were added to the site). This solution includes linking into their MMORPG databases (just Shadowbane, initially) and integrating with the Lithium bulletin board software (also used by Dell for their technical support forums).
Utique Day Spa January 2001 to March 2001, Freelance
Sole creator (programming and design) for the UtiqueDaySpa.com web site. UtiqueDaySpa.com is a commercial site for a day spa company based in Austin, TX. This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP and DHTML.
Mary-Margaret.com April 2001, Freelance
Designed and implemented new interface, look, and feel for the Mary-Margaret.com site, a Microsoft IIS site using ASP and DHTML.
Star Hunter March 2001 to present, Freelance
Sole designer and writer for Star Hunter, a "paper" board game of space combat. Still under development.
Capacity Calibration September 2000 to June 2001, Exemplar Technologies, Inc.
Sole creator (programming and design) for the Capacity Calibration web site for Distributed Computing, Inc. The site manages the Capacity Calibration software itself (which is a separate, though tightly integrated, piece of software). The CapCal software performs heavy, distributed load-testing of other web sites through methods similar to the SETI at home software. Also was the sole creator (programming and design) of the CapCal web tracking application which records a web browsing session so that it can be used as a script for the CapCal testing software. This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP, DHTML, XML, and SQL Server. The tracking application is a C++ windows application with a Visual Basic interface.
Sportsgear August 2000 to June 2001, Exemplar Technologies, Inc.
Sole programmer for the Sportsgear.com demonstration site for Axciom, a full retail store site used to demonstrate the capabilities of the CartTrends software (see below). This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP, DHTML, XML, SQL Server, and Microsoft Commerce Server.
CartTrends August 2000 to November 2000, Exemplar Technologies, Inc.
Helped design and implement the CartTrends.com website (a business analytics site), including the implementation of the GPoint chart package, for Axciom. This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP, DHTML, XML, and SQL Server.
Human Training April 2000 to August 2000, Exemplar Technologies, Inc.
Co-creator (programming and design) of the HumanTraining.com demonstration site for Hearts and Minds, Inc. Site tracks workouts, nutrition, fitness information, etc. This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP, DHTML, XML, and SQL.
MediUSA December 1999 to June 2000, Exemplar Technologies, Inc.
Sole creator (programming and design) of the MediUSA.com web site (a discount medical program) for MediUSA, Inc. Includes client and agent tracking, online sign-up and credit card payments, etc. This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP, DHTML, XML, and SQL Server.
Bug Tracker January 1999 to April 1999, Freelance
Sole designer and co-programmer for a universal bug/task tracking web site for Murder of Crows (owned by Blue Byte Software). This same software was later used by Exemplar Technologies, Inc. as well. This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP, DHTML, and SQL Server.
Global Messaging SystemJanuary 1999 to April 1999, Freelance
Co-programmer for the Global Messaging System for "Ultima Online", the world's leading online game, by Origin Systems (owned by Electronic Arts). This involved adding additional code to a pure C++ windows application.
M.A.D. Studios January 1999 to February 1999, Freelance
Sole programmer for a basic demonstration web site for M.A.D. Studios (now Spiraco). This is a Microsoft IIS site using ASP and DHTML.
Master Of Magic 2 March 1998 to October 1998, Illusion Machines, Inc.
Programmer and lead designer of the prototype for the real-time strategy game "Master of Magic 2" for Microprose. Game design was completed, but project was cancelled when Hasbro acquired Microprose. This is a pure C++ windows application (using DirectX).
Dawn of War January 1996 to December 1998, Illusion Machines, Inc.
Lead designer and lead programmer for the real-time strategy game "Dawn of War" for Virgin Interactive Entertainment. Engineering tasks included software architecture, game rules, and artificial intelligence. Game sold to Southpeak Interactive after VIE was bought by Electronic Arts and although complete was not released. This is a pure C++ windows application (using DirectX).
Microsoft Chess January 1996 to May 1996, Illusion Machines, Inc.
Co-programmer for a networked 3D chess game for Microsoft. Game dropped after Microsoft buys the Internet Gaming Zone, which already included a chess game. This is a pure C++ windows application.
Settlers Of Cataan June 1996, Illusion Machines, Inc.
Co-programmer for a networked version of the popular German board game "Settlers of Cataan" on spec. Game's designer (the legendary Klaus Teuber) loved it, but had already sold computer rights to the game to another group. This is a pure C++ windows application.
This Means War!December 1995 to December 1996, Starjammer Studios
Lead programmer and co-designer for the real-time strategy game "This Means War!". Engineering tasks included software architecture, game rules, and artificial intelligence. Game released by Microprose in December 1996. This is a pure C++ windows application (using WinG).
Motion CaptureMay 1995 to December 1995, UT Department of Kinesiology
Modified and expanded motion capture software for the University of Texas Kinesiology Department. Unpaid senior project. This is a C application written for Solaris Unix.
Niche WareMay 1994 to September 1994, Freelance
Helped program a worker's compensation calculation system for Niche Ware. This is a pure C++ windows application.
Teleportation Software February 1992 to September 1993, SMS
Helped program image analysis and other scientific software for Scientific Measurement Systems. Main project was "teleportation" software (using x-ray tomography to scan a physical object, then automated laser sintering to create a copy of it at another location). Developed in concert with the University of Texas engineering department. Written in both Fortran (Vax VMS) and C (Unix).
ACE January 1990 to present, Freelance
Sole designer and writer for ACE, a "paper" universal role-playing system, and "Ace of Swords", an original fantasy world for that system. Both are unreleased.
GURPS/Car Wars June 1988 to January 1989, Steve Jackson Games
Helped edit Autoduel Quarterly and GURPS Space as an assistant editor.
GED TutoringJune 1988 to July 1989, Credit Rapid Learning Center
Tutored high-school dropouts in mathematics to assist them in obtaining their GEDs.
QUOTES
“The single best personnel decision I made as COO of Illusion Machines was hiring Benjamin Ellinger.He brings exceptional skills to every project, combining innovation, diligence, superb technical knowledge and research abilities, and sheer programming brilliance.He is a natural technical leader, and especially skilled at working with junior programmers and non-technical team members.Unlike many programmers, Ben is also well-spoken and an excellent writer, able to articulate detailed code design concepts and technology trade-offs.”
—Ellen Guon Beeman, Producer for The Matrix Online, Monolith Productions
“Benjamin Ellinger is a programming guru that you don’t have to take a long hike up a mountain to find. He is easy-going and a great programmer, but his quick and creative solutions are what sets him above the others. What’s even better, he is able to explain those solutions precisely and articulately to his manager and co-workers.”
—Silona Bonewald, IT Program Chair, ITT Technical Institute
“He is a gifted individual who has a talent for getting the most out of small changes to large systems. If you want efficiency and precision along with technical imagination, Benjamin Ellinger is one of the best you’ll find.”
—Bryce Maryott, Software and Testing Engineer