Web Browsers, Instant Action and Serious Games
by Aaron E · in Torque Game Engine · 10/19/2007 (5:24 pm) · 6 replies
Hello all,
Ever since the Instant Action announcements were made I've been wondering if the service will be available for serious games developers. Today, I had someone ask about a virtual showroom for their company's products -- with the virtual world linked from the company web site and playing in a browser. This has come up before and I've had to decline in the past. This time, I offered a tentative "yes" to the question.
So, I'm curious. Will IA only be available for game-games? Or can educational games, virtual showrooms and other serious games be allowed to join in on the fun? If serious games are permitted on Instant Action, will there be a separate section from the entertainment offerings? How about pricing differences?
Yes, there are other options out there, but I haven't had much luck with them. I have tried Neil Marshall's TGE browser plugin resource but never got it working the way I wanted -- and I'm not sure how easy it will be for some clients and their customers to use. Also, I have considered trying another cross-platform and browser-enabled game engine, but have resisted the urge so far, mainly because I'm not a Macintosh kinda guy (not yet anyway).
I would love to stay with Torque and be able to offer my business clients browser-based functionality for these serious games apps. Maybe this has been covered in the official announcements or one of those humongous question/answer/flame threads. ;) It's very possible that I missed something in there somehow.
Any help you guys and gals can provide, in the form of answers or links, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Ever since the Instant Action announcements were made I've been wondering if the service will be available for serious games developers. Today, I had someone ask about a virtual showroom for their company's products -- with the virtual world linked from the company web site and playing in a browser. This has come up before and I've had to decline in the past. This time, I offered a tentative "yes" to the question.
So, I'm curious. Will IA only be available for game-games? Or can educational games, virtual showrooms and other serious games be allowed to join in on the fun? If serious games are permitted on Instant Action, will there be a separate section from the entertainment offerings? How about pricing differences?
Yes, there are other options out there, but I haven't had much luck with them. I have tried Neil Marshall's TGE browser plugin resource but never got it working the way I wanted -- and I'm not sure how easy it will be for some clients and their customers to use. Also, I have considered trying another cross-platform and browser-enabled game engine, but have resisted the urge so far, mainly because I'm not a Macintosh kinda guy (not yet anyway).
I would love to stay with Torque and be able to offer my business clients browser-based functionality for these serious games apps. Maybe this has been covered in the official announcements or one of those humongous question/answer/flame threads. ;) It's very possible that I missed something in there somehow.
Any help you guys and gals can provide, in the form of answers or links, would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
#2
I can imagine that IA dot com might get overwhelmed if the whole world rushes to "test drive the new Toyota Ultra Zoom" on the website, but maybe they could charge enough for the commercial application to cover the cost of additional bandwidth.
10/19/2007 (7:23 pm)
I've been interested in some kind of browser plug-in for the same reason. For my purposes, I think that a direct link into an IA "application" (a game by any other name ...) would work just as well.I can imagine that IA dot com might get overwhelmed if the whole world rushes to "test drive the new Toyota Ultra Zoom" on the website, but maybe they could charge enough for the commercial application to cover the cost of additional bandwidth.
#3
I think I've read everything that's out there on Instant Action and what it means, but I haven't found anything that describes if and how IA will work for serious games projects.
Any official word on this from the GG guys would super cool.
[Edit: fixed a silly typo]
10/22/2007 (8:01 am)
Thanks guys, I think I've read everything that's out there on Instant Action and what it means, but I haven't found anything that describes if and how IA will work for serious games projects.
Any official word on this from the GG guys would super cool.
[Edit: fixed a silly typo]
#4
10/22/2007 (10:32 am)
I would say limiting the use to merely games, very shortSighted. This type of web developement is just beginning and will only grow as 'entrepeneurs' see that their products and storefronts can be virtually represented; seemingly in a very straightforward way[browser based, everyone got one!]. It's a part of the TGE EULA that I really don't like['Indy-Agreement'], I can only make 'games' with the software...for sale??? To me that is a bit restrictive, and buying a 'commercial' license agreement for perhaps doodling on the web to create environments for whatever purpose I choose, overboard. Already I'm seeing a 'professional' 'business' solution out there to do just this sort of representation[3D environments]. Gather market share now, not 'attempt' to later, once the thunder crashes and dam bursts....??! Eh?
#5
The majority of what I do (educational/serious stuff) requires a commercial license, even though I'm waaaay below the $250,000 per year mark. I didn't 'get' the distinction at first and had to invest more than I had originally planned, but now I know to ask about that stuff. So for me, any official announcement on Instant Action and Serious Games would really help me plan ahead.
Yes, this post is a pseudo-stealthy thread bump.
:)
10/23/2007 (3:43 pm)
@RexThe majority of what I do (educational/serious stuff) requires a commercial license, even though I'm waaaay below the $250,000 per year mark. I didn't 'get' the distinction at first and had to invest more than I had originally planned, but now I know to ask about that stuff. So for me, any official announcement on Instant Action and Serious Games would really help me plan ahead.
Yes, this post is a pseudo-stealthy thread bump.
:)
#6
06/23/2009 (5:28 pm)
Hey Aaron, Doug Akers is trying to find you . if you read this please reply to him at doug.akers@gmail.com or me at johnfleming@roadrunner.com 
Torque 3D Owner Donald "Yadot" Harris
Marveloper