SH3 Team

Based in Bucharest, Romania, the SH3 team consists of highly-skilled individuals who have, for the most part, already worked on several other projects and acquired a great deal of experience in the video-game industry. The engine used in SH3 was developed in-house and refined over the last 4 years.

The studio opened in 1993 and has since participated in more than 20 titles published by Ubisoft on various platforms such as N64, PC, DC, PS2, NGC and GBA. The studio’s last projects before SH3 include such racing titles as “Speed Challenge” and “Downtown Run”.

Florin Boitor Producer —————————— Graduated in 1993 from Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Electronics and Telecommunications Faculty. Joined Ubisoft in 1993 and participated as programmer or production manager in the development of more than 20 titles. —————————— Hobbies: skiing, history (of U-boats recentlyÉ), tennis, travelling, football (Steaua Bucharest fan.). Favourite music: rock (punk, hard, alternative). Favourite games: racers.

Tiberius Astianax “Maddog” Lazar Lead Game Designer —————————— I started working in game development in 1996. I joined Ubisoft in 2000 as game designer. Here I worked on 4 other projects before Silent Hunter 3. As a passionate reader of naval military history, I was thrilled when I learned I would work on this title. It is almost the dream project for me and I can’t wait to see it done. —————————— Hobbies: table-top miniature war gaming, computer/console games, board games, pen-and-paper games

Cristian Hriscu-Badea Game Designer and 3D Artist —————————— Education: Arts University “George Enescu” of Iasi (Acting – Drama Class). Started working in the video games industry in 1996, joined Ubisoft in July 1999. Involved in Ubisoft’s projects concerning the game design, 3D modelling and VisualFX. —————————— Hobbies: Rock music, motorcycles & theatre Favourite games: RPG, FPS & Arcade

Dan Dimitrescu Game designer —————————— Still a student with the Bucharest Aerospace Engineering Faculty, Dan joined Ubisoft at the start of 2004. His previous work experience includes four years as journalist for the Romanian magazines PC Gaming and XtremPC, and three as game designer for the Romanian developer FunLabs. Dan is mostly a sim and war-game guy, with favourites such as Falcon 4, EAW, Close Combat and OFP. ——————————

Tudor Serban Game Designer —————————— Student at University of Architecture “Ion Mincu” – Bucharest. Interested in military history, especially World War 2, I joined Ubisoft at the beginning of Silent Hunter 3 project. Fascinated by war games, I started working on Silent Hunter 3 with a lot of enthusiasm. My role was creating a different World War 2 submarine gaming experience. When time permits I like to play a lots of games, from the latest computer games to old classic board games. ——————————

Nicolae Dumitrache Lead Programmer —————————— Graduated in 1994 from University Politehnica of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Departament. Joined Ubisoft in 1994 and worked as a programmer on several games: 2DSoccer, Payuta, Speed Challenge, City Racer/DownTown Run, Taxi 3, ChessMaster PSX2, ChessmasterX and SilentHunter3. Also worked in UBI R&D department. Participated on the small team who developed the 3D GDS system (3D engine + tools) on PC, PSX2 and GCN, used in several games developed in Bucharest, including SH3 and ChessmasterX. —————————— Hobbies: science fiction & horror, progressive & art rock, science, adventure games.

Cristian Mihalache Programmer —————————— Graduated in 1994 from University Politehnica of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Departament. Joined Ubisoft in 1994 and worked as a programmer on several games: Guitar, Speed Challenge, City Racer / DownTown Run, Taxi 3 and SilentHunter3. Also worked in UBI R&D department. Participated on the small team who developed the 3D GDS system (3D engine + tools) on PC and PSX2, used in several games developed in Bucharest, including SH3 and ChessmasterX. —————————— Hobbies: physics, progressive rock.

Mihaela Laura Tancu Programmer —————————— Graduated in 1996 from University Politehnica of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Departament. She joined Ubisoft in 1996, just after graduation. She worked as a programmer on several games: Valdo, Formula 1, Speed Challenge, City Racer/DownTown Run, Taxi 3, and now SilentHunter3. She garnered a lot of experience in Gamecube and PS2 development, by porting our 3D engine. She is currently in charge of crew management and menus. —————————— Hobbies: science fiction, movies, travelling.

Dan Pologea Programmer —————————— Dan graduated from the Faculty of Electronics and Informatics/Technical Military Academy. He has a PhD in the field of Electronics and Telecommunications with a thesis in Artificial Neural Networks. Dan has worked as software engineer for over 10 years, contributing with created tools to several games, working mainly in Ubi R&D. Before this, he worked as an active officer: commander of a radiolocation and transmission combat unit on a submarine hunter ship and as a business relations consultant . His favourite genre of games is simulation. —————————— Hobbies: mountaineering, artificial neural networks, photography, ping-pong.

George Cristian Baltatanu Programmer —————————— Education: Masters Degree from the Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Computer Science and Engineering Department. Member of Ubisoft since 1996, after graduation. Involved in World Football 98, Speed Challenge and City Racer/Downtown projects (on PC and consoles). Specialization: 2D and 3D interfaces. —————————— Hobbies: computers, travelling and music. Favourite games: arcade games.

Mihai Cristian Enescu Programmer —————————— Graduated in 1998 from University of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Department. Joined Ubisoft in 1999 and worked on tools for game development such as menu and 3D editors and on Chessmaster GBA and Chessmaster PS2 games. Now working on the SH3 mission editor, game data and terrain generation. —————————— Hobbies: video games, history, science fiction Favourite games: genre: FPS, simulators, strategy

Robert Dinica Programmer —————————— Graduated from the Economic Informatics section at the Academy of Economic Studies from Bucharest, and also has a Masters degree in Informatics Systems for Management. He’s been interested in game programming since the old ZX Spectrum days. He joined the Ubisoft team in 1999 and worked mainly as a network programmer on several games: Pod Speedzone, Monaco GP Online, Speed Challenge, Downtown Run. Currently he is working on sound and network programming for Silent Hunter III. —————————— Hobbies: Hobbies include music, movies, bridge, computers, and games. Favourite games: Point and Click Adventures and RTS.

Corneliu Babiuc Programmer —————————— Graduated in 1995 from University Politehnica of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Departament. After working as an analyst programmer at “Research Institute for Informatics” he joined Ubisoft in 1997. He worked as a programmer on tools and games development on: Rayman 2, POD 2, Monaco GP, Villeneuve Speed Challenge, Settlers 3D, and now SilentHunter 3. He is currently in charge of collision & damage system and camera behaviour. —————————— Hobbies: music, theatre, festivals, swimming.

Marius Ungureanu Info designer —————————— Graduated in 1998 from University of Bucharest, Physics Faculty, MSc in physics. After working for 2 years in physics research at National Institute for Lasers, Plasma and Radiation Physics Bucharest, he joined Ubisoft in 1999. For SH3 he’s working on damage and collision system, special effects design, gameplay tuning. —————————— Hobbies: video games, music, science fiction Favourite games: FPS, RPG, simulators

Catalin Dumitrescu Programmer —————————— Graduated from Polytechnic University of Bucharest, Computer Science and Engineering Department. In Ubisoft since 1996, worked on World Football 98, Pod Speedzone, Rayman 2, Settlers 3D. Specialized in graphics and effects programming. Plays real time strategy games and adventure games. —————————— Hobbies: skating, mountain hiking.

Mike “The Bike” Prunescu —————————— He joined Ubisoft Romania almost at the beginning, in 1993, while still in college. He worked as 3D(modeller, animator) and 2D artist for most of the projects in which the Romanian studio was involved(the most representative are: Action Soccer,Tim7,Rayman,Playmobil series,,Rally,Pod2,Villeneuve,Downtown Run,Taxi3 Gamecube and now SH3. His hobbies are: motorcycles (Born to be wiiiiild!), video games(ÔI’m wondering: why should we sleep?J,) martial arts, 3D graphic art. ——————————

Calin Cazan 2D/3D Artist —————————— Graduate of Bucarest Institute of Architecture “Ion Mincu” as lead architect and Bucarest Institute of Fine Arts “Nicolae Grigorescu” as designer. Animator, senior animator, art director at “Animafilm” studio – Bucharest, “Dacodac” studio – Bucharest and “Cinema Concept” studio in Atlanta (from 1976 to 1996). At Ubisoft since 1996 as 2D and 3D animator, 3D modeller, graphic artist. ——————————

Florin Poptean 2D/3D Artist —————————— Graduate of Bucarest Institute of Fine Arts “Nicolae Grigorescu” as designer. Technical Graphic Artist at “Carpati” Institute of Architecture – Bucharest, Background artist at “Animadream” studio – Bucharest, Agency Manager at “Cache Cards” Advertising Agency At Ubisoft since 1996 as 2D and 3D animator, 3D modeller, graphic artist. ——————————

Iurie Sinchevici 3D Artist —————————— Graduated from Bucharest Academy of Theatre and Film (diploma in sound, editing, multimedia and computer animation). Studied photo, music, electronics, aero modelling, car design and programming in school. Joined Ubisoft in 1995. Involved in more than 16 projects for the company. Currently working on 3D modelling and animation. Favourite genre are first-person shooters and multi-user dungeon adventure games. —————————— Hobbies: sport, music and programming.

Laurentiu Trandafir 3D Artist —————————— Graduated from Bucharest University, Sociology Psychology and Psycho pedagogy Faculty, Psychology Department in 1997. Joined the Ubisoft in September 1997 —————————— Hobbies: photography, mountain tracking Favourite games: RTS

Sebastian Cosor Lead Animator —————————— Character animator and modeller at Ubisoft Romania. Member of the team responsible for game titles such as: Tim6, Tim 7, Tonic Trouble, Egypt, Rally 3D, Rayman Dictee, Rayman 2, Pod, etc. Animator of Ubisoft’s main cartoon character, Rayman, for computer games and TV series. He also worked as Lead Animator for Ascaron Entertainment, Bielefeld – Germany and CDV Software &Entertainment, Studio Siegerland- Germany. His hobby is free diving and he is a big fan of Pixar movies and strategy games. ——————————

Ovidiu Croitoru Art Director —————————— Graduate of Bucarest “National University of Arts”. Some collaboration with books editors. Participation to international Book affair and advertising agency. International graphic exhibitions. At Ubisoft since 2003 as “Art Director” and in charge of the final artistic touches on SH3. ——————————

Mihai Daranga Animator —————————— Graduated Naval Design Faculty, “Dunarea de Jos” University in 2000. Joined Ubisoft in 2002 as a character designer,3d modeler,3d animator. —————————— Hobbies: rock music, 2d-3d graphic art

Mihai Gheorghiu Sound Designer and Engineer —————————— Education: Polytechnica University of Bucharest. Mihai worked in the video games industry since 1995 and joined Ubisoft in January 2000. He has been involved in the sound aspects of several projects. —————————— Hobbies: Music Favourite games: Arcade

Gabriel Barbu 2D, 3D artist —————————— 3 years of studies at Institute of Architecture “Ion Mincu” Bucharest Map designer at National Institute of Geology -Bucharest, graphic artist at “Zebra Advertising”. 2D , 3D modeler and graphic artist at Ubisoft since 1997, involved in Rally, Pod2, Villeneuve projects. —————————— Hobbies: airbrush painting, photography, scale models, mountain tracking. Favourite games: FPS, simulators

Dragos Daniel Mihailescu Programmer —————————— Graduated in 2003 from University Politehnica of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Department. Joined Ubisoft in 2004 and now working on the SH3 mission editor —————————— Hobbies: Rock and jazz music Favourite games: FPS, simulators

Ioan Manea Programmer —————————— Student at University Politehnica of Bucharest, Automatic Control and Computers Faculty, Computer Science and Engineering Department, final year. Computer programming has interested me since elementary school and continued through highschool when I became a member of the Romanian Informatics Olympic Team. While studying at the University I was a member for three years in a research project for implementing automatic control in a railway station for the Romanian Railways. I joined the SH3 team in July 2004 and I am currently in charge of multiplayer, replay and sound. —————————— Hobbies: music, science fiction books and movies, football (Steaua Bucharest fan). Favourite games: Horror-themed FPSs (Clive Barker’s Undying rocks!), FPSs, turn-based strategies, football sims and managers.