The Observer from London, Greater London, England • 39

APPOINTMENTS 11 The Observer 22 June 1997 wggsgr Ml which is used to achieve extremely realistic animated graphics. Footage of professional athletes with special reflective pads attached to their limbs is taken by a 10-camera system that translates their movements into computer code. A sports game is then built around the code. The Sheffield Steelers helped with the ice hockey game. Since Actua Soccer introduced motion capture, games companies worldwide have been exploiting the technology.

Yet according to Gremlin's business development manager, Phil Wright, new technology alone is not the key to a successful game: 'It's dealing with the raw data that you pull in from the motion capture that makes the game. Actually getting the gameplay right is what we do particularly Like Molyneux, Wright puts the talent of British games developers down to the popularity in this country of the Spectrum and the Commodore 64 in the Eighties. 'This spawned thousands upon thousands of bedroom programmers more so here than anywhere else in the world. Even the big American studios are staffed or headed by British guys. The UK is a hotbed of talent for this AFTER Atlanta, Gremlin will be floating a quarter of its equity on the London Stock Exchange, which could raise 3l2m.The flotation follows the recent acquisition by the company of Edinburgh-based developer DMA.

While there's no shortage of game programming talent in the UK, American companies take all the medals when it comes to games played over the Nevertheless Jconfirmed in Atlanta thatrit is to export the Wireplay online games service to the US in September, a move that has been made easier by the company's recent merger with US telecommunications giant MCI. Wireplay faces stiff competition from existing games services such as TEN, and Microsoft's Gaming Zone. The online multiplayer games market is expected to mushroom over the next five years. While a typical Wireplay-supported game might accommodate up to 16 players at a time, American service Magic Online offers 'megaplayer games', in which thousands compete simultaneously. GarriQk Webster is editor of PC Review.

A JAPANESE game for the Sony Playstation has shifted half a mMon units despite there being no violence or shoot-outs. The game is instead a lesson for Japanese boys inhow to date; points are awarded for chat-up lines, presentation etc. What the game does not point out is that unless you get out from behind a screen a virtual girlfriend is the only Mnd you will ever have. HOW about this for the minimum wage 4.50 an hour to read electronic junk mail. This is a wheeze of HTMail, a UK marketing company which intends to get interested users to register "With them and then provide their details to advertisers.

In order to prove that you have read a piece of e-mail detritus you e-mail the advertiser with numerical codes, embedded in the messages, which are worth op each. Companies where employees are logged on to the Internet will view the venture with some alarm as the time-wasting potential is clearly enormous. THE row over the instant cooling can and its built-in CFCs overshadowed another instant freeze project last week ice-cream in a minute, as demonstrated at the Royal Society's New Frontiers Exhibition last week. Using all the ingredients one might find in Delia Smith, the instant freeze component was provided by pouring liquid nitrogen into the mix. Liquid nitrogen is relatively cheap only 1.50 or so to make a batch of ice cream but sadly cannot be found on the shelves of the local supermarket.

BOOTLEGGED brands can be combated with a new form of watermarking, or rather plasticmarking, invented by an Israeli company, Latent Image Technology. The invention puts an image on to a bona fide branded product which can only be seen when viewed under a special plastic screen used by the retailer. Technology edited by Emify Bel! British game Dungeon Keeper is expected to set new sales records for a PC CD-Rom release. ame without fromti ems VKg RTTfYNTS rlirl nnt farp Qj too well at the Atlanta OC Olympics last year, I but British computer From direful dungeons to on-line ice hockey, Britain is lord of computer gaming, reports GARRICK WEBSTER games aevejopers ai says: 'Because the weather is so bad, this country has bred a lot of computer enthusiasts. 'But perhaps a more sensible reason is that in the early Eighties there were lots of affordable home computers around, such as the Sinclair Spectrum.

'This meant that a lot of people were able to teach themselves programming and that Britain had a sizeable bank of programming talent, which other countries lacked. Although Bullfrog is based in leafy Surrey, it was bought in 1995 by Electronic Arts, the largest games company in the world. Since then, Bullfrog has sold more than $120 mil- last financial year. Key to the increase was 3D adventure game Tomb Raider, and Atlanta saw the unveiling of Tomb Raider II for the PC and Playstation. Like its predecessor, this autumn release is being developed by an Eidos-owned studio, Core Design.

As with the first Tomb Raider, players get to guide archaeologist Lara Croft through a series of lost cities. Eidos is hoping that its success over the coming year will not be founded on sales of a single game. Marketing director Larry Sparks says: 'Our product line-up includes 15 key titles that we're bringing to the marketplace between now and the end of next year. We're not just a one-hit Other Eidos releases to watch for will be Fighting Force and Deathtrap Dungeon. Sheffield company Gremlin Interactive used the exhibition to launch new additions to its Actua sports series.

Since Gremlin released it just under two years ago, Actua Soccer has sold more than a million copies around the world, for both PC and Playstation. The next titles in the range are Actua Tennis, Actua Ice Hockey and Actua Soccer 2. Gremlin has pioneered motion-capture technology, the same city's Electronics Entertainment Exhibition last week put on a decidedly better performance than their athletics counterparts. Developing computer games, like ice dancing, is something the British do extremely welL Leading exponents put this down not to the excellence of our technology courses, but to a creaky piece of home computing. Peter Molyneux, who founded the hugely successful Bullfrog games company, stayed on as a vice-president for the California-based giant.

Now he wants to get back to games development, and is leaving to set up Lion Head, which is expected to produce its first game in 1999. But the company most likely to continue to lead the Brit pack in the 33 billion computer games market is Eidos pic. The company has seen its annual turnover jump from 33. 7m to 375.5m in the lion (75m) worth of software. It is now hoping that its Dungeon Keeper game all subterranean mazes and evil monsters will be a hit at the exhibition.

Dungeon Keeper is expected to set new sales records for a PC CD-Rom release, and follows a string of Bullfrog hits including Theme Hospital, Magic Carpet and Syndicate. After selling Bullfrog to Electronic Arts, Molyneux Bringyour skills and enthusiasm to a market leader Are you harlequin HIGH TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE Projects Manager BBC Worldwide Salary up to 40,000 plus benefits BBC Worldwide is developing new and innovative systems to support our continuing business growth as the UK's largest distributor of TV programmes and a rapidly expanding international broadcaster. To help us to meet the challenges this creates, we are looking for an experienced Projects Manager capable of initiating and leading major new systems developments. You should have a strong IT background, spanning a range of disciplines, and a proven history of successful project management and delivery. Extensive business and systems analysis skills are essential in assisting business units identify problems and in offering them effective, innovative and cost effective solutions.

You will have extensive experience of designing and overseeing the implementation of these systems. You will be commercially aware, possess excellent inter-personal skills and be an effective team player Experience of a media or publishing environment would be an advantage. Please send your CV with a covering letter outlining your suitability for this role to Human Resources, Room A3076, BBC Worldwide Ltd, Woodlands 80 Wood Lane, London, W12 OTT no later than Friday 27 June 1997. You can als6 see this vacancy on http:www.bbc.co.ukjobs About quality? We are, That's why. we need talented people to expand our software test teams for all products.

JH' Harlequin provides one of the most dynamic and environments the softwafeworld today." We develop products and services for. diverse markets digital printing publishing, advanced software devejopment tools, and information management. And as a truly-distributed global company we operate 11 sites on three continents, with more to follow. A vital element of our success is the consistently high quality of the products' and' services for which We areirenowned. And.we -need more people to be(p us sustain that success, if you have experience in software testing (ideally on multiple platforms) then we would li'Ke to hear from you, Exposure to or significant interest in software development languages, complex commercial applications or the pre-press industry would be a great advantage.

But above alt, the key is your dedication to, quality and willingness to question what you see. supports and encourages individuality, creativity and self-motivation. The environment is demanding but highly rewarding, with a strong commitment to Ward work and quality. If you feel you can contribute your passion to our products then write to Claire D'Arcy at Harlequin Ltd, Lorfgstanton House, Woodside, Longstanton, Cambridge, CB4 5BU. Email: clairedharlequin.co.uk.

In the why not visit our website at http:wviw.harlequin.co.uk for more information. Software Testers For the past 50 years BUPA has been the UK's leading independent health care organisation. To have remained the market leader in such a competitive industry for so long owes much to the successful anticipation of future needs and the development of effective business strategies to meet them We are now looking to strengthen the team who tackle these vital issues. Information Manager 24,000 London You will manage a small team of analysts in the production and co-ordination of robust and intelligent analysis designed to support key strategic developments in the company. You and your team will deliver sound clinical, commercial and statistical analysis using our extensive databases.

Your success will depend on your ability to interpret, act upon and exploit information. Educated to degree level, you may have already gained some managerial experience, preferably in an information systems or health care environment Your analytical skills will be matched by youi ability to manage resource issues and develop the skills of your team. A clinical qualification would be preferred but is not essential. Ref: 1004. Information Analysts 16,000 London Working sithin a team of analysts, you will provide informanon to suppon key strategic developments As a recent graduate, or with 1 -2 years work experience in an analytical role, you must have proven problem -solving skills, sound business awareness and an interest in health care issues.

Since you will be presenting your findings and solutions at a senior level, the ability to communicate complex information clearly and effectively is essential. Ref. 1005 In return for your skills we offer excinng career prospects as well as comprehensive training to develop your technical and business skills. You can also look forward to a competitive salary, reflecting your qualifications and experience, free BUPA, life assurance and a contributory pension scheme BUPA promotes equal) of opporrunm Please write with your CY. quoting the appropriate reference number, to: The Response Handling Team, Associates in Advertising, 5 St John's Lane, London EC1M 4BH.

e24722.htm KPMG Based Cambridge, Manchester or Edinburgh Make the Difference Business Modelling consultancy opportunities with KPMG 25,000 Harlequin and the Harlequin Logo an? registered trademarks of The Harlequin Group Limited. London I KPMG is one of the leading accountancy and management consultancy firms in the UK. hi London alone KPMG employs over 51)0 consultancy staff with skills including business strategy, finance, information technology and human resources The Business Modelling team is a well established centre of excellence consisting of more than consultants, providing operational research and financial modelling expertise to a diverse client portfolio spanning both public and private sectors. On the strength of consistent growth demand for this expertise, KPMG are now seeking additional high calibre pmfcssionals lor the following positions: SOFTWARE RESEARCH PhD 1st Class 2.1 Honours 18,000 46,000 3 Principal Consultants 50k-70k Consultants Excellent career opportunities with the UK's leading Consultancies and Research Centres to develop forefront concepts in: Advanced Network Systems; Distributed RISC Operating Systems; SpeechImage Processing; Real-time Embedded I Systems; Video; Telecommunications; Neural Networks and related fields. I Closing date for applications: 4th July 199 At least ID years proven success in a similar consultancy environment, representing well honed business development, client management and consultant mentoring skills Minimum of years experience to date, preferably gained in an internal or external consultancy environment, demonstrating the ability to ctrivc-assignments from inception to successful conclusion.

For further information please call 01638 742244 quoting ref: 14 16. Alternatively I send your CV by Fax: 01638 743066, Email: topjobecmsel.co.uk or Post to: 1 ECM SELECTION LTD, The Maltings, Burwell, Cambridge, CB5 0HB. I http: vwm.ecmsel.co.uk 1 jjj BUPA You err. a in a r. iot a i na; ox Successful candidates will need to be self-motivated, innovative achievers able to offer in-depth, practical experience of at least one of the following: risk analysis; process and simulation modelling, financial modelling; data mining; decision support including E1S.

Academic excellence, first class people handlinginfluencing skills, initiative, enthusiasm and a creative approach to problem solving are also essential attributes. Those appointed expect considerable challenge in a highly stimulating environment here tul) commitment is given to imijvuhj.il training and development. Competitive salaries offered as indicated to rellect experience and potential, Together with comprehensive benefits, commensurate with our client's standing. FOR THE PICK iff II SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR Salary from 20k Neal's Yard Remedies, requires a Systems Administrator based in South London. You will be required to manage the current networked computer system and implement the changes necessary lor lire company to erow and div ersify You are highly motivated and your experience will include mst or all of the following.

NT. stock control and accounts sy.slem ndealh Access MRP or similar, design software including QuarkXPress We are currently Mac based and may introduce PC's for an Information pack, plesao cad UCM 498 16X6. Closing date: 4 Juls 1997. Mark Chapman or j' vr Initia Ui, nfj.i i.m Caroline Wood on 01892 510892. Allfniainvly Prospect Recruitment, Prospect House, Lonsdale Gardens, Vunbridve Wells, Kent, l.VZ.

Fax: 01892 511720 PhD, MSc, 1st, 2.1 Honours? PROSPECT RECRUITMENT then visit www.ecmsel.co.uk.