Zach Baker

Current

• Software Engineering Consultant at Applied Minds
• Owner/CTO at Geoinversion Technologies

Past

• Sr. Software Engineer at Luxoflux
• Programmer at Rotor
• Programmer at Prolific Publishing

• Contract Programmer at Ion Storm
• Programmer at Sega

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Education

• Harvey Mudd College

Recommended

2 people have recommended Zach

Connections

106 connections

Industry

Computer Games

Websites

• Zach Baker's Blog
• LA Life

Zach Baker’s Summary

Game and graphics programmer, web application programmer with Ruby on Rails.

Zach Baker’s Experience

• Sr. Software Engineer

  Luxoflux

  (Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; ATVI; Computer Games industry)

  May 2001 — February 2006 (4 years 10 months)

  True Crime: Streets of LA (PS2/Xbox/GC/PC): First programmer hired onto the game. Primary programmer for computer-controlled characters (NPC AI). Created two-joint IK system to allow main character's arms to track shooting targets throughout any animation. Implemented and fine-tuned fighting system in cooperation with designers. Game sold over 4M copies in all formats worldwide.
  
  Shrek 2 (PS2/Xbox/GC): Over several months, programmed unique storybook-style front-end to game to match opening sequence of movie. Created simple text scripting system to control user interface. Responsible for interface meeting technical checklist process on all three platforms.
  
  True Crime: New York City (PS2/Xbox/GC/PC): Assisted in programming many parts of production, primarily focusing on computer-controlled characters and storyline system.
  
  Kung Fu Panda (to appear): Key programmer in small team which quickly developed first prototype of game for (very successful) pitch to movie team.

• Programmer

  Rotor

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Internet industry)

  2000 — 2001 (1 year)

  Helped program front-end elements of Rotor Player, a desktop environment for participating in live videocasts for entertainment events and business teleconferences. Used DirectX APIs in C++ under Windows.

• Programmer

  Prolific Publishing

  (Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Games industry)

  1997 — 2000 (3 years)

• Contract Programmer

  Ion Storm

  (Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Computer Games industry)

  1999 — 1999 (less than a year)

• Programmer

  Sega

  (Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Computer Games industry)

  1995 — 1996 (1 year)

Additional Information

Zach Baker’s Websites:

• Zach Baker's Blog
• LA Life

Zach Baker’s Interests:

Ruby on Rails, 3D. game engine architecture, stories

Zach Baker’s Groups:

Harvey Mudd College Entrepreneurial Network
Startup School 2005
Socal Piggies (Southern California Python Interest Group)

•    Y Combinator News Group
•    Ruby on Rails
•    Visual Effects, Film and Games Professionals (www.vfx-recruit.com)
•    Game Developers
•    Merb
•    SoCal Python Interest Group

Zach Baker’s Honors:

Independent Game Festival Judge - 2003

Guest appearance on second episode of "Mr. Belvedere"

National Merit Scholar

4-time winner of G Money Trophy in Luxoflux Fantasy Football League

2-time Jeopardy! champion

Awarded "Uncontrollable" (highest rating) by Love Tester machine at Shakey's

Zach Baker’s Contact Settings

Interested In:

• expertise requests
• business deals
• reference requests
• getting back in touch