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Universal3D vs. Real Open Standards

Posted by timothy on from the trapdoors-can-be-open-too dept.

viveka writes "Back in April, Slashdot reported the announcement of a Universal 3D File Format by Intel, Microsoft & others - to be "as open as MP3". Of course, that's not all that open. And this turns out to be the sneaky part. There is a real open standard already - X3D is ISO-ratified, royalty-free, and has multiple open source implementations. U3D is "going to be submitted to ISO" - one day - but right now they're talking to ECMA, which allows royalty-bearing patents. I found this article by Tony Parisi, co-chair of the X3D Working Group a fascinating insider's picture of the standards wars, along with insights into what it takes to release an online game, what really killed VRML, and why open standards do (and don't) matter. I mean, a royalty-bearing, pseudo-open universal 3D format from Intel and Microsoft? Sorry, guys. That trick doesn't work anymore ;)"

6 of 174 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Too many hyperlinks by Cornelius+Chesterfie · · Score: 5, Funny

    Who cares? It's not like we read them anyway :)

  2. Real Open Standards by lewp · · Score: 2, Funny

    Are Real Open Standards anything like Real Ultimate Power?

    --
    Game... blouses.
    1. Re:Real Open Standards by L337Designs · · Score: 2, Funny

      If the competition is a guitar, and microsoft is the ninja doing the wailing, then yes.

  3. Re:Too many hyperlinks by Frankie70 · · Score: 5, Funny

    OK - how's this?

    Back in April, Slashdot reported the announcement of a Universal 3D File Format by Intel, Microsoft & others - to be "as open as MP3". Of course, that's not all that open. And this turns out to be the sneaky part. There is a real open standard already - X3D is ISO-ratified, royalty-free, and has multiple open source implementations. U3D is "going to be submitted to ISO" - one day - but right now they're talking to ECMA, which allows royalty-bearing patents.
    I found this article by Tony Parisi, co-chair of the X3D Working Group a fascinating insider's picture of the standards wars, along with insights into what it takes to release an online game, what really killed VRML, and why open standards do (and don't) matter.
    I mean, a royalty-bearing, pseudo-open universal 3D format from Intel and Microsoft? Sorry, guys. That trick doesn't work anymore

    BTW, I need to get a life.

  4. It's called PI by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Quarter turn = 90 degrees = PI / 2 radians

  5. Re:Too many hyperlinks by roine · · Score: 2, Funny

    You forgot to hyperlink sneaky.