Eric's Cascade
| Eric's Cascade | |
|---|---|
| Developer | Delta Tao Software |
| Publisher | Delta Tao Software |
| Designer | Eric Snider |
| Programmer | Eric Snider |
| Platform | Power Macintosh |
| Release | January 6, 1998[1] |
Eric's Cascade is a screensaver type program developed by Eric Snider for the PowerPC Macintosh. The publisher described it as "not exactly a game, not exactly a utility...".[2]
Development
[edit]Eric's Cascade began as a computer graphics experiment by Drew Olbrich while working at Pacific Data Images. Olbrich's "experimental particle simulation of water pouring out of a tap" ran on a Silicon Graphics workstation. In exchange for an agreement for a small portion of the revenue Olbrich allowed Snider to begin work on a version for a Mac. With the aid of others at Apple, the code was optimized to run in real time at an acceptable framerate.[3]
It was never considered releasing Eric's Cascade as a game, and it was released as a "software toy"/screensaver. The player can set several water spigots at angles of their choice, with the water dyed a variety of colours and the water guided, reflected or sucked to create droplets all over the screen.[3]
Washington Apple Pi Journal called it a "water fountain simulator". Optional sound effects and music could be played. Various taps, blocks and spinners could be placed, and circular "magnets" could be used to attract or repel water.[4]
Release
[edit]The manual included a biography of Eric Snider. The software was supplied on a CD-ROM which included demos of other Delta Tao software, including Eric's Ultimate Solitaire.[4]
Reception
[edit]Washington Apple Pi Journal said it is a "great and useful program", despite doing nothing useful.[4]
MacAddict found the controls to be smooth, and the program a great indicator of the speed of the users Mac.[5]
Craig Crossman considered it as a waterfall simulator, with creating and watching waterfalls relaxing.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ Snider, Eric (July 7, 1998). "Delta Tao Software - Eric's Cascade". www.deltatao.com. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- 1 2 Crossman, Craig (February 24, 1998). "A playground for work-weary cubicle-dwellers". www.deltatao.com. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- 1 2 Moss, Richard (March 22, 2018). The Secret History of Mac Gaming. Unbound. p. 273. ISBN 9781783524877.
- 1 2 3 "Eric's Cascade: A Review". Washington Apple Pi Journal. Vol. 20, no. 3. May–June 1998. pp. 28–29.
- ↑ "Puzzle games". MacAddict. No. 16. December 1997. p. 50.