Hi, this is us. We look freaky.

This is us looking slightly more normal.

They've been written up in PC Gamer Online. Their website, which has an add-on for the PC game 'Unreal Nation,' has had almost 21,000 visits since August of this year. Foreign magazines are asking for the right to include their add-on, Crescent Moon Squad, on foreign CDs.

Let's just say they're making a serious name for themselves in the computer industry.

And they're 14.

San Antonio residents and twin brothers Kyle and David Pittman don't fit the stereotype of the computer programmer, but the pair is hard at work to change everyone's mind. And if their success so far is any indication, they might just do it.

When the computer game 'Unreal' was released by Epic Megagames last May, the Pittmans started development on 'Crescent Moon Squad,' which was the first completed 'Unreal' add- on. They released it August 7, and their website received more than 3,500 hits the first day. Wonder why? Check 'CMS' out yourself at www.unrealnation.net/cms/, then take a gander at what makes these guys tick in this Generation interview.

Q: What exactly is a computer game 'add-on?'

A: An add-on simply adds new stuff to a computer game. There are many ways this can be done, such as making new weapons, enemies, or maps. In the case of Crescent Moon Squad, we added 12 new maps and modified some of the existing enemies.

Q: Explain what 'Unreal' is about. What does 'CMS' add to the game?

A: Unreal is a first-person shooter along the lines of the hit games Doom and Quake. Rather than expanding on the existing story, however, CMS is based on a separate group of characters loosely related to Unreal. Most of the game takes place on the home planet of the Skaarj, an alien species from Unreal. CMS also adds three new background music tracks by Bobby Tamburrino, an experienced PC tracker musician who we met online.

Q: How long have you two been computer programmers?

A: We've been programming for about 8 years, mostly in the BASIC languages. In the last year, we've also taken up 3D-art and web design.

Q: Who started first?

A: We started at the same time, actually. We've worked on most of our projects together, so our computer experience is pretty much equal.

Q: Ten years from now, where do you see yourselves?

A: With any luck, we'll be designing blockbuster computer games for a major company!

Q: Ten years from now, where do you see the computer gaming industry?

A: With technology advancing so fast, it's hard to say, but professional gaming will probably become a popular 'sport', even to the extent of televised matches. Ten years ago, no one would have imagined the gaming industry the way it is today, so we can only wait and see.

Q: Why did you decide to do this? Just for fun? Or do you have your eyes on another goal?

A: It was mostly just for fun. We wanted to make a name for ourselves in the gaming world, but we also just wanted to give gamers something new to play around with.

Q: Do you get any money or fame from this?

A: We don't get any money, since we're distributing CMS for free on the web. We did get CMS included on the CD that accompanied the November issue of PC Gamer, so I guess we're kinda famous!

Q: Was this harder or easier than you expected?

A: When we started the CMS project, we weren't sure whether it was a realistic goal or not, but we had a lot of fun with it. Once everything started coming together, it was much easier than we expected.

Q: Is it hard working with your brother -- especially your twin?

A: We get along really well. I think being twins helps, because there's no superiority based on age. We also try our best to avoid problems; for example, while working on CMS, we developed levels individually so that we wouldn't have conflicting ideas.

Q: What's next?

A: We're currently making a sequel called 'Apocalypse Threat.' We've been working on it since the beginning of September and have completed three levels so far. Bobby Tamburrino has also offered to write an entirely new soundtrack, so the music should be excellent. We're hoping to have it finished sometime in early '99.

Kyle: We don't fit the computer programmer stereotype? Dang, I thought we did.

David: I wonder if anyone will think that my prediction of the future of PC games is corny. But just wait, the PGL is just the start...

Kyle: Argh, that picture stinks.

David: No kidding. We don't look like freaks in real life. I think.