gamedev-GDC web games report 2004-03-30 - By NoiseCrime
Back
Hi,
Just came across this on the gamedev site, thought it might be of interest
to the list. Two very brief articles written by a John Hattan about 3D
browser technologies from the GDC last week.
Part 1
I got to hear about all kinds of other interesting browser-based 3D
technologies in the afternoon portion of the 3D browser technologies all-day
tutorial. The main ones covered were Shockwave 3D (of course), Java3D,
WildTangent, VirTools, and 3D Groove. I also recall last year I questioned
WildTangent's role as a viable deliver-er of 3D web content. This year I'll
go one step further and state that I no longer see WildTangent as a viable
3D technology for browsers. Unless the company president's line regarding 3D
Groove's capabilities are overstated (and that never happens I'm sure), they
've got WildTangent beaten on every front. Every other browser 3D technology
had something to distinguish it from the others. Shockwave 3D had high
browser penetration and a very mature development environment. Java3D had
the Java name and highest system portability. VirTools had a very innovative
"design your landscape on the screen" development environment. 3D Groove had
a very fast script language and software renderer. Every product seemed to
distinguish itself in some way save WildTangent. Add to it the fact that
several spyware cleaners will wipe out the WildTangent Web Driver and its
"load up games you didn't ask for" technology on sight, and I give 'em a dim
future. On the other hand, they are preparing a new release based on .NET,
so WildTangent will have the only browser-based 3D that is programmable in
C# or other .NET languages.
Part 2
Well, half one of the Web Based 3D Gaming tutorial is now done, and I'm
enjoying my only-slightly-soggy turkey sandwich provided by the GDC. On the
whole, it was similar to the presentation given by Gary Rosenzweig last
year, except with different demos. The take-away this year was similar to
last year's - "doing 3D and physics in Director is easy". The lecturer
showed off some fun demos of doing a 3D flight simulator, running monster,
and physics-based driving game.
The only worrisome part is that Shockwave 3D, undoubtedly the most pervasive
3D technology for the web, has now gone over three years without an update,
substantial or otherwise.
Comments
Personally its rather positive in that Shockwave3D appears to be well
established and respected (mainly due to its mass penetration and the
efforts of Gary Rosenzweig at the GDC by the sound of it), but it puts a
very good point, its been 3 years since it was updated! No, i'm sorry I
don't count an exteneded modelsunderray and some additional anti-aliasing
feature as an update. I'm sure i'll just be preaching to the converted here,
but 3D technology moves so fast these days I think sw3d should be updated
every year/release otherwise it can't help but fall behind.
However perhaps there is now an oppertunity for MM to give sw3d the update
it deserves. Its got so much to catch up on, they could dedicate a whole new
release to it ;) If you want to see what I mean by whats missing check out
the amazing Virtools Shader demo here
http://www.virtools.com/applications/technology-effects.asp you'll need a 3d
card that supports pixel shaders, although a group of the effects look like
they shouldn't need them.
Interesting that WildTangent appears to have fallen back somewhat from a
couple of years, although as stated in the article perhaps the immenent new
version will put that right. Took a second take on the 3D groove comment to
actually realise what the author had said. Interesting that they have
appraently developed their own scripting language and presumably distanced
themselves from Director/shockwave.
Noisecrime 2004
__ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Dir3d-l mailing list
Dir3d-l@(protected)
http://nuttybar.drama.uga.edu/mailman/listinfo/dir3d-l
|
|
