gamedev-GDC web games report 2004-03-30 - By simon oliver
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Has anyone had much experience of virtools? It seems to check a lot of
boxes, ie mac/pc support, integrated development environment, havok
physics support (albeit expensive), tiny plugin size (under 1mb),
additive framebuffer blending, vertex and pixel shaders. Are there any
big negative aspects other than the very high price?
-- --Original Message-- --
From: dir3d-l-bounces@(protected)
[mailto:dir3d-l-bounces@(protected)] On Behalf Of noisecrime
Sent: 30 March 2004 10:56
To: dir3d-l@(protected)
Subject: [Dir3d-l] gamedev-GDC web games report
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
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