why didn't (doesn't) VRML take off
- because its not easy enough to work with (how many people do you know who can model in 3D?)
- the content that is created is not exciting enough (people are bored with the results)
same with Java3D and the hundreds of other formats - Wildtangent suffers the same problems - its damn hard to create something compelling + once you do it begs the question of why I want an internet format to create a single player game
How many times have i seen 3D stock displayers and 3D weather maps on sites like Excite - boooorrriiiinnnggg
I have been trying my hand at a 3D format for the internet these last three years - its called 3DML (an XML format). I think we have a good approach to making the creation easier - use building blocks - have symbols to represent each block - an "#" is a wall, a "l" is a light, etc. Now anyone with two brain cells can make a level map in a text editor. The behavior part is a little trickier but we are working on it...
Now for the excitement part of the equation - we are not there yet - we made it easy to make levels that you can walk around but what exactly do you DO in these spaces that makes it worthwhile - i think the game industry has the lead in this - you create damn good interaction - so that is what we are working on - knock out eye candy and amazing interactions so you want to move around and engage the content...
In my opinion VRML will NEVER get there...its a file format, not an interaction builder - and certainly not easy to work with unless you are both a good programmer and a good modeler.
Slashdot Mirror
why didn't (doesn't) VRML take off - because its not easy enough to work with (how many people do you know who can model in 3D?) - the content that is created is not exciting enough (people are bored with the results) same with Java3D and the hundreds of other formats - Wildtangent suffers the same problems - its damn hard to create something compelling + once you do it begs the question of why I want an internet format to create a single player game How many times have i seen 3D stock displayers and 3D weather maps on sites like Excite - boooorrriiiinnnggg I have been trying my hand at a 3D format for the internet these last three years - its called 3DML (an XML format). I think we have a good approach to making the creation easier - use building blocks - have symbols to represent each block - an "#" is a wall, a "l" is a light, etc. Now anyone with two brain cells can make a level map in a text editor. The behavior part is a little trickier but we are working on it... Now for the excitement part of the equation - we are not there yet - we made it easy to make levels that you can walk around but what exactly do you DO in these spaces that makes it worthwhile - i think the game industry has the lead in this - you create damn good interaction - so that is what we are working on - knock out eye candy and amazing interactions so you want to move around and engage the content... In my opinion VRML will NEVER get there...its a file format, not an interaction builder - and certainly not easy to work with unless you are both a good programmer and a good modeler.