An example of Google's O3D
I’m excited to see 3D in the browser though I may be in the minority. Google’s O3D and WebGLfrom Mozilla and the Khronos Group are exciting technologies but mention that to anyone in the game industry and they’ll laugh. Visual Purple is in the serious game business so you could say we’re in the game industry and if there was ever and industry built on escalating graphics it’s games. Just flip through the industry magazines and all you see are ads for game engines. But I think the tides are a changing, even if most can’t believe or see it yet.
Open Standards
All you need to do is look at the Internet to make a case for open standards. It isn’t a cure-all but open standards certainly have their strong suits. We’re constantly investigating virtual world and MMO platforms as well as graphic engines and would love if there was some sort of standard. I know most people in the game industry are more excited about new technology that pushes the graphics or game play further, but as the Wii has demonstrated – you can do a lot with an old processor if you get creative. In fact that seems to be where the industry is going.
Device independent
It was once a big deal to have the same browser work on Mac, Windows, and Linux. Now it’s what device they work on – mobile phone, set-top box, tablet, etc?
Easy integration with the rest of the Internet (social gaming)
Most video games are worlds on to themselves, even if they’re available online. You can play your friend from a distant city but you’re doing little other than talking trash while you play. We have yet to see games take advantage of what’s out there the way mashups have. Social gaming is getting us closer but we still have a long way to go. Being in the browser and using the same or similar protocols will likely change that. Plus, when you don’t have to worry about improving the graphics or creating some new game play you’re forced to be a bit more creative.
What will 3D in a browser do for games and virtual worlds?
Look at what putting a real browser on the iPhone did for mobile devices. Think of what 3D in the browser will do for games and virtual worlds. And I see a lot of potential for interactive story.
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