Angelini Talks Gaming With DEVGRU Operator Craig Sawyer

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By Chris Angelini
published

Adding Realism Where It Counts

Tom’s Hardware: Another reputation that U.S. Navy SEALs have is that they tend to be Type A personalities, extremely motivated and successful in their endeavors. Why are you focused on consulting for movies and games? Why is this your new calling?

Craig Sawyer: I've been drawn to helping create better films ever since I trained with a world-class climber back in the early 1990s. The guy's name was Bob Gaines. Bob oversaw many of the major high-fall stunt rigs for big films. He even taught Stallone to climb for the movie Cliffhanger. Anyway, Bob was telling me I'd be great as a tech adviser, but I was in the heat of my SEAL career and didn't have the time to even think about pursuing film and television. Once I got out of the military, the bug started creeping in on me.

I would watch movies that I absolutely knew I could have helped make better. Now, thanks to various friends around Hollywood, I'm meeting and planning with major players from all over the business. I've gotten busy lately on various projects for film and television (in fact, I'm helping a good friend, actor Chris Ashworth, write a movie script that I'm excited about), and I look forward to contributing more in the gaming space as well.

We want to see Tier 1 operators help hone the realism of games

Tom’s Hardware: We'd like to see game developers and movie producers lean on guys with your skill set to more accurately portray the realism of their projects. If someone in one of those camps is reading this, how can they reach you? What can you do to help them improve their product?

Craig Sawyer: Thanks for asking! All of my contact info is on my website, www.tacticalinsider.com. I also have a public Facebook page that lists my current projects and developments.

What I have to offer, I believe, is the ability to steer them out of the mud, so to speak, on technical and cultural matters than mean a lot to the Spec Ops community. They won't know these things unless they hire the real deal. We recently saw a big TV show tank because the technical advice piece wasn't optimized, for whatever reason. Either there wasn't adequate technical advice, or they weren't listened to. Either way, the show died an ugly death as a result. So, a lack of quality tech advice can literally be a show-stopper. I'd help avoid that kind of blowback, while assisting in telling the story they're after. That way, everybody wins!

Tom's Hardware: Thank you for your time today, Craig. We hope you'll keep us apprised of any project you find yourself advising on so we can check it out for a follow-up on Tom's Hardware.

Chris Angelini
Chris Angelini
Chris Angelini is an Editor Emeritus at Tom's Hardware US. He edits hardware reviews and covers high-profile CPU and GPU launches.
36 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jaquith
    Very interesting article and special thanks to Craig Sawyer!

    We did not pursue questions that would violate OPSEC
    Yeah, we wouldn't want another MoH overreaction.

    The lack of a fatigue factor, even in fairly realistic first-person shooters, has always bothered me. Most titles allow you to sprint briefly before slowing down to a run, but you’re able to shoot, jump, and then, seconds later, sprint again. Is this something that needs to change in the next generation of games, or would "the real thing" be a total turn-off for a gamer?
    Try Paintball. Otherwise VR with electric shock. Either way, IMO very few want total or close to realism in gaming other than theatrics. Listen, I've been shot by a 22mm that grazed off my knee taking-off a piece of meat -- getting welted-up from paintball's or electric shock is a cake walk.

    Personally, I'm far from a SEAL (really far) but I like my guns, and my Glock 19 with a LaserMax will make folks think twice about leaving in a home invasion - it's there as fast as I can reach. The POF-USA P308-12-MRR 7.62mm NATO is indeed sweet and ain't cheap; just what every 'deer' hunter needs.
    Reply
  • Pawessum16
    Correction on page 2:
    Tom's Hardware: I think all gamers remember the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 scene where you're a sniper in the top floor of a building in Chernobyl. As a real U.S. Navy SEAL sniper, how accurate is this experience?
    I remember that so well that I know for a fact that it happened in the original Modern Warfare, ie COD4: Modern Warfare.....before they stopped the numbering.
    And after finishing reading the article, I'd like to add that it was pretty great. To someone like me who doesn't know a thing about real world combat, it was very insightful, and Sawyer made some good points about the direction of the gaming industry in regards to shooters.
    Reply
  • Chewie
    Accuracy's my biggest problem with Crysis, to this day. I especially remember a point early in the first game where I like to lie down in the grass and take out the Norks manning MG emplacements that just can't seem to see me. The problem was, with the Assault Scope I was taking 3 or 4 shots to get a head shot on these guys. The reticle covered the whole head! I checked the range range with the visor, or binocs, or whatever, and got a range of 80m!
    Now, I'm no sniper dude, but I can get multiple 2 inch 5 round groups at 200 metres with the Steyr AUG, and that has a 1.5x optical scope. Also, no cool crysis suit to help. So at 80m, firing from prone, you bet your arse I can pick which eye to take out. But not in Crysis. Most of the other stuff about that group of games is cool, but the accuracy issue drives me nuts every time.
    Reply
  • army_ant7
    Tom’s Hardware: What is Sleep, Eat, and Lift?

    Craig Sawyer: Hey! Are you punking me, man!? Hah.
    Chris, I bet you were making your prayers and cringing already while he was saying that. :lol:
    I'm kidding of course. :P But I know I would, knowing that guy could snap my neck with one hand! :lol:

    That aside, a great read! I thank you and Mr. Sawyer there. :D I giggled at the thought of how ridiculous the things we do in games are, and imagined it in real life. Seeing those CoD (and others) commercials would make think they're silly now albeit still cool. :lol:
    Reply
  • blackmagnum
    He could run for governor of California...
    Reply
  • US_Ranger
    Good article. I especially liked the part about posers. That shit always bothers me and I've run into my fair share of them as well.

    Sua Sponte Craig, good luck in your new endeavors.
    Reply
  • mapesdhs
    Thankyou so much for this article Chris! The most interesting piece I've read on any site for
    a long time.

    Best wishes & respect to Craig and all his colleagues.

    Ian.

    Reply
  • happyballz
    ChewieAccuracy's my biggest problem with Crysis, to this day. I especially remember a point early in the first game where I like to lie down in the grass and take out the Norks manning MG emplacements that just can't seem to see me. The problem was, with the Assault Scope I was taking 3 or 4 shots to get a head shot on these guys. The reticle covered the whole head! I checked the range range with the visor, or binocs, or whatever, and got a range of 80m!Now, I'm no sniper dude, but I can get multiple 2 inch 5 round groups at 200 metres with the Steyr AUG, and that has a 1.5x optical scope. Also, no cool crysis suit to help. So at 80m, firing from prone, you bet your arse I can pick which eye to take out. But not in Crysis. Most of the other stuff about that group of games is cool, but the accuracy issue drives me nuts every time.
    I personally participate in bolt-action rifle competitions up to 1000yards but...AUG A’s 1.5x optical scope with 2 inch groups at 200m? You better have used a fully locked bench rest for that...AKA you were just pressing the trigger and the bench was holding aim. Otherwise I really doubt your "consistent" 5 round groups; I have used A1's reticle 1.5x scope before, and after 100-150 yards the "donut" reticle covers too much to know where the true center is. So you either very lucky repeatedly or are over exaggerating a bit.
    Reply
  • mayankleoboy1
    happyballzSo you either very lucky repeatedly or are over exaggerating a bit.
    Or he has practiced lots and lots more than you
    Reply
  • stevelord
    One of my favorite experts on Top Shot. Can't wait till the next season (which has been filming since September I believe.)
    Reply