Sam Lantinga
Encyclopedia
Sam Oscar Lantinga was the lead software engineer at Blizzard Entertainment
, where he is known to the community as Slouken. He may be most famous as the creator of the Simple DirectMedia Layer
, a very popular open source
multimedia programming library, and also developed the compatibility database for Executor
, a proprietary Mac OS emulator.
He previously was the lead programmer and a co-founder of the now-defunct Loki Software
, which ported several game titles to Linux
. A Linux client of World of Warcraft
was developed, and negotiations with Linux Game Publishing
were under way until Blizzard cancelled the project. It is unknown if Lantinga was involved with this port.
He also founded Galaxy Gameworks in 2008 to help commercially support the Simple DirectMedia Layer
. He recently left Blizzard Entertainment to "relax, spend time with family, and explore some ideas to expand the Galaxy Gameworks business." Soon after he launched a new website for Gameworks including an extensive list of developer testimonials.
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
, where he is known to the community as Slouken. He may be most famous as the creator of the Simple DirectMedia Layer
Simple DirectMedia Layer
Simple DirectMedia Layer is a cross-platform, free and open source multimedia library written in C that presents a simple interface to various platforms' graphics, sound, and input devices....
, a very popular open source
Open source
The term open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's source materials. Some consider open source a philosophy, others consider it a pragmatic methodology...
multimedia programming library, and also developed the compatibility database for Executor
Executor (software)
Executor is software for x86-based PCs that allows older 68k-based Apple Macintosh programs to be run under various x86-based operating systems. Executor was created by ARDI...
, a proprietary Mac OS emulator.
He previously was the lead programmer and a co-founder of the now-defunct Loki Software
Loki Software
Loki Software, Inc. was a software firm based in Tustin, California, United States, that ported several video games from Microsoft Windows to Linux...
, which ported several game titles to Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
. A Linux client of World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
was developed, and negotiations with Linux Game Publishing
Linux Game Publishing
Linux Game Publishing is a software company based in Nottingham in England. It ports, publishes and sells video games running on Linux operating systems. As well as porting games, LGP also sponsors the development of Grapple, a free software network library for games...
were under way until Blizzard cancelled the project. It is unknown if Lantinga was involved with this port.
He also founded Galaxy Gameworks in 2008 to help commercially support the Simple DirectMedia Layer
Simple DirectMedia Layer
Simple DirectMedia Layer is a cross-platform, free and open source multimedia library written in C that presents a simple interface to various platforms' graphics, sound, and input devices....
. He recently left Blizzard Entertainment to "relax, spend time with family, and explore some ideas to expand the Galaxy Gameworks business." Soon after he launched a new website for Gameworks including an extensive list of developer testimonials.
Games credited
The following is a list of game products Lantinga either developed on or was involved in porting.Loki Software
- Kohan: Immortal SovereignsKohan: Immortal SovereignsKohan: Immortal Sovereigns is the first game of the real-time strategy series Kohan, developed by TimeGate Studios. It was published for Windows by Strategy First, and ported to Linux by Loki Software, both in 2001. With a high fantasy setting, the game follows immortal beings named Kohan...
- Tribes 2Tribes 2-Legacy:On November 20, 2002, Sierra released an update for Tribes 2. This update contained two new game types, new maps and updates to address several issues. Sierra, which is now part of Vivendi SU, licensed the franchise to Irrational Games for a third installment; Tribes: Vengeance was...
- MindRoverMindRoverMind Rover is a video game, developed by CogniToy. The game, which can be thought of as an successor to the Learning Company's Robot Odyssey, revolves around two activities:* Assemble a virtual robots from a library of stock parts....
- Sid Meier's Alpha CentauriSid Meier's Alpha CentauriSid Meier's Alpha Centauri is the critically acclaimed science fiction 4X turn-based strategy video game sequel to the Civilization series. Sid Meier, designer of Civilization, and Brian Reynolds, designer of Civilization II, developed Alpha Centauri after they left MicroProse to join the newly...
- Rune
- Rune: Halls of ValhallaRune: Halls of ValhallaRune: Halls of Valhalla is a multiplayer-only expansion to the computer game Rune.It features many new characters to choose from, thirty three new maps, and most prominently: two completely new game modes....
- Heavy Gear IIHeavy GearHeavy Gear is a game universe published since 1994 by Canadian publisher Dream Pod 9. It includes a tabletop tactical wargame, a role-playing game and a lesser known combat card game...
- Heretic IIHeretic IIHeretic II is a fantasy action-adventure game developed by Raven Software and published by Activision in 1998 continuing the story of Corvus, the main character from its predecessor, Heretic....
- Heroes of Might and Magic III
- Railroad Tycoon IIRailroad Tycoon IIRailroad Tycoon II is a game for the PC, Macintosh, PlayStation and Dreamcast in the Railroad Tycoon series. The Dreamcast version is a Gold Edition with improved graphics and gameplay...
- Civilization: Call To PowerCivilization: Call to PowerCivilization: Call to Power is a PC turn-based strategy game developed by Activision as a successor to the extremely successful Civilization computer game by Sid Meier. It was ported to Linux by Loki Software....