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Article #66994

Active Worlds (was Re: ? Which 3D game and editor for university architecture project?)

#66994
From: no1
Date: Wed, 21 Feb 2001 01:28
69 lines
4218 bytes
Check out Active Worlds (http://activeworlds.com/). While not free ($20/year), it can do most of what you want, except for object physics and it isn't really a game, per se, though it's getting there. http://tnlc.com/eep/compare.html to get an idea how AW compares to 3D games.

multi tim wrote:

> // Needing advice choosing game and editor for architecture university
> project. //
>
> Hi!
> In preparation for a university undergraduate course in architecture we will
> be using computer games (3D Shooter or similar) as a tool to discover
> "virtual space".
>
> We'll be happy if you share your knowledge about which GAMES and EDITORS
> appropriate for this task.
> We don't need to create a "real game" with a dramaturgy, all kinds of hidden
> dangers, monsters and all that. We will focus on exploring a) space and b)
> player interaction.
>
> Here is a list of features for both the game itself and the level editor.
> We rated the features according to their importance to us, based on our
> current state of knowledge:
> Ratings: +++, ++, + ,0
>
> THE GAME:
> 1) General Features
> +++ first person shooter
> +++ real 3D (not 2.5D), allows you to move fluidly. Features complex
> architectural geometry.
> +      free player movement in space: Nice, if free floating 6DOF Movements
> (like in "descent") are possible.
> +      good, if it runs both on WIN-PC and Macs
> 0      Less important: storyline, avatars, monsters, sounds, music
>
> 2) Graphics
> +      graphic realism is not top priority. In fact a good abstract shaded
> rendering can be better than poorly lit mapped surfaces.
> -       Less important: High-end animated visual effects, animated
> explosions, fog etc.
>
> 3) Hardware and Setup:
> ++   not too demanding on machine resources; does not require specialized
> high-end hardware like specific graphic cards,...
> ++   allows multiplayer over LAN
> ++   is easy to use, install and administrate
>
> 4) Playing / Moving / Interacting
> ++ allows several different ways of interacting with the environment:
> manipulating objects, moving, lifting, shifting them
> + free movement in space: Nice, if "6 degree of freedom" movements (like in
> DESCENT) are possible.
>
> THE EDITOR(S)
> +++ editor is easy too learn, easy to use; is well documented.
> ++    Most preferably geometric data can also be imported from CAD programs
> which are well known to the students, for instance in *.dxf format or
> similar..
> ++    allows the creating of spaces in all directions, rather than just
> vertically
> extruding 2D floor plans.
> +      allows to link or merge levels which different students have created
> separately. "Living" dynamic spaces like in  VRML is not necessary though.
> -       less important: Actors in the game / Creation of geometrically
> complex models of players, monsters etc..
> -       less important: sound design, complex animations, design of monsters
>
> What do you suggest?
> Thank you in advance.
>
> tim edler
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Subject: Active Worlds (was Re: ? Which 3D game and editor for university  architecture project?)
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