3D Groove Games (partially lost online games; 1998-2009): Difference between revisions

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Similar to Java, 3D Groove games could be built to be played on the desktop or in a browser. 3D Groove came in different forms - there was 3D Groove SX and 3D Groove GX. The first form of 3D Groove was 3D Groove SX, which allowed developers with Macromedia Director to create a Shockwave Movie File (with a filetype of DCR) to load 3D Groove games. In 2002, 3D Groove GX was introduced, and it allowed for the creation of 3D Groove games without the need for Macromedia Director. With 3D Groove GX, developers would use the private SDK provided by The Groove Alliance to create a Groove World File (with a filetype of GRV.)
Similar to Java, 3D Groove games could be built to be played on the desktop or in a browser. 3D Groove came in different forms - there was 3D Groove SX and 3D Groove GX. The first form of 3D Groove was 3D Groove SX, which allowed developers with Macromedia Director to create a Shockwave Movie File (with a filetype of DCR) to load 3D Groove games. In 2002, 3D Groove GX was introduced, and it allowed for the creation of 3D Groove games without the need for Macromedia Director. With 3D Groove GX, developers would use the private SDK provided by The Groove Alliance to create a Groove World File (with a filetype of GRV.)


Both versions of 3D Groove, in turn, used the 3D Game Machine C/C++ game development framework (3DGM for short) from Virtually Unlimited Corp. In September 2001, 3D Groove bought the source code for 3DGM.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19981206063529/http://www.virtually3d.com/ Information about 3D Game Machine.] Retrieved 06 Dec '98</ref> Most of the 3D models in 3D Groove games use the 3DGM Model File format (with a filetype of 3GM) and is similar to the standard 3DS Model File format but with more functionality added to it. For example, the ability to use quads - or faces with any amount of vertices - instead of just triangles was included.
Both versions of 3D Groove, in turn, used the 3D Game Machine C/C++ game development framework (3DGM for short) from Virtually Unlimited Corp. In September 2001, 3D Groove bought the source code for 3DGM.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/19981206063529/http://www.virtually3d.com/ Information about 3D Game Machine.] Retrieved 06 Dec '98</ref> Most of the 3D models in 3D Groove games use the 3DGM Model File format (with a filetype of 3GM) and is similar to the standard 3DS Model File format but with more functionality added to it. For example, the ability to use quads - or faces with any amount of vertices - instead of just triangles, was included.


==History==
==History==
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The Groove Alliance was established on July 6, 1998. Mr. Urbach was the company's co-founder, with entrepreneur Chris Kantrowitz and programmer Peter Laufenberg, who did much of the C++ code for the 3D Groove web browser plugin. Other notable names involved with 3D Groove are Patrick Thiel from Pepworks.com (animator,) Ben Encarcion (artist,) Nick Kang (developer,) Jed Whedon and Rene Winkler (music and sound design) and Jamie and Simon Edis from Ezone.com (artist and programmer, respectively, who used 3D Groove for their web games.)
The Groove Alliance was established on July 6, 1998. Mr. Urbach was the company's co-founder, with entrepreneur Chris Kantrowitz and programmer Peter Laufenberg, who did much of the C++ code for the 3D Groove web browser plugin. Other notable names involved with 3D Groove are Patrick Thiel from Pepworks.com (animator,) Ben Encarcion (artist,) Nick Kang (developer,) Jed Whedon and Rene Winkler (music and sound design) and Jamie and Simon Edis from Ezone.com (artist and programmer, respectively, who used 3D Groove for their web games.)


The assets used in ''Real Pool'' were recycled to make a web demo version, becoming the first use of the 3D Groove engine. It was intended to promote the full game, the web version of ''Real Pool'' used 3D Groove SX and was published on Shockwave.com, becoming their first 3D game, where it got between 5-6 million plays according to Laufenberg. The game made over four million dollars in total sales according to Vice President of Marketing for Infogrames Paul Rinde. It was later recycled again into an advergame for Jack Daniels.
The assets used in ''Real Pool'' were recycled to make a web demo version, becoming the first use of the 3D Groove engine. It was intended to promote the full game, the web version of ''Real Pool'' used 3D Groove SX and was published on Shockwave.com, becoming their first 3D game, where it got between 5-6 million plays according to Laufenberg. The game made over four million dollars in total sales, according to Vice President of Marketing for Infogrames Paul Rinde. It was later recycled again into an advergame for Jack Daniels.


The Groove Alliance then developed a game called ''SkyDive!'' which was released by Electronic Arts on June 30, 1999, with their Gonzo Games label. It received mostly negative reviews.<ref>[http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198664-skydive/index.html Information on SkyDive!] Retrieved 22 Nov '17</ref>
The Groove Alliance then developed a game called ''SkyDive!'' which was released by Electronic Arts on June 30, 1999, with their Gonzo Games label. It received mostly negative reviews.<ref>[http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/198664-skydive/index.html Information on SkyDive!] Retrieved 22 Nov '17</ref>
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''3D Marble Demo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''3D Marble Demo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''9MM: Beer Bottle Shootout''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|2||''9MM: Beer Bottle Shootout''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|3||''AlienX''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|3||''AlienX''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|4||''Death From Above''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|4||''Death From Above''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|5||''High Roller''||<span style=color:orange>'''Partially Found'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000302022850/http://www.3dgroove.com:80/ Small screenshots of High Roller and Outpost X.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref><ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/games2/Nova/3D.html Small review of High Roller.] Retrieved 24 Oct '18</ref>
|5||''High Roller''||<span style=color:orange>'''Partially Found'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20000302022850/http://www.3dgroove.com:80/ Small screenshots of High Roller and Outpost X.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref><ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/games2/Nova/3D.html Small review of High Roller.] Retrieved 24 Oct '18</ref>
|-
|-
|6||''Nothin' But Net''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|6||''Nothin' But Net''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|7||''Outpost X Demo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|7||''Outpost X Demo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|8||''Piscean''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|8||''Piscean''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|9||''Real Pool''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|9||''Real Pool''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|10||''Real Pool 2''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|10||''Real Pool 2''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|11||''Showdown: The Gunfighting Game''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|11||''Showdown: The Gunfighting Game''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|12||''SkyDive!''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|12||''SkyDive!''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|13||''SkyRacer: Impulse''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|13||''SkyRacer: Impulse''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|14||''Star Battalion''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|14||''Star Battalion''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|15||''Tank Wars''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|15||''Tank Wars''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|16||''Tank Wars Multiplayer''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20011016151035fw_/http://www.3dgroove.com:80/website/about.html Capture mentioning Tank Wars Multiplayer existing on e4.com] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|16||''Tank Wars Multiplayer''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20011016151035fw_/http://www.3dgroove.com:80/website/about.html Capture mentioning Tank Wars Multiplayer existing on e4.com] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
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{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||3D Groove Bose Game||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040211011633/http://inhance.com:80/portfolio_interactive5.htm Site on which 3D Groove Bose Game of unknown title, ''Cisco Broadband Game'' and ''SEMIs ChipsOnTour'' would've been embedded.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|1||3D Groove Bose Game||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040211011633/http://inhance.com:80/portfolio_interactive5.htm Site on which 3D Groove Bose Game of unknown title, ''Cisco Broadband Game'' and ''SEMIs ChipsOnTour'' would've been embedded.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|-
|-
|2||3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game||<span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span>
|2||3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game||<span style="color:gray;">'''Non-existent'''
|-
|-
|3||''Cisco Broadband Game''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|3||''Cisco Broadband Game''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|4||''Disc Dogger''||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050507072736/http://jeep.games.yahoo.com:80/games/disc/DiscDogger.htm Capture of Disc Dogger's loader which tries to install 3D Groove. The game itself was not caught.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|4||''Disc Dogger''||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050507072736/http://jeep.games.yahoo.com:80/games/disc/DiscDogger.htm Capture of Disc Dogger's loader which tries to install 3D Groove. The game itself was not caught.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|-
|-
|5||''Eight Legged Freaks''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|5||''Eight Legged Freaks''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|6||''FedEx USA Express''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvaret Joseph Varet's LinkedIn suggesting there was a FedEx advergame in the 3D Groove engine.] Retrieved 28 Oct '17</ref>
|6||''FedEx USA Express''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvaret Joseph Varet's LinkedIn suggesting there was a FedEx advergame in the 3D Groove engine.] Retrieved 28 Oct '17</ref>
|-
|-
|7||''Intel's Showdown: The Gunfighting Game''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|7||''Intel's Showdown: The Gunfighting Game''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|8||''Jack Daniel's Real Pool''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|8||''Jack Daniel's Real Pool''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|9||''M&M's: Yellow Takes Tokyo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|9||''M&M's: Yellow Takes Tokyo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|10||''Mazda: Skyracer Impulse''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|10||''Mazda: Skyracer Impulse''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|11||''Michelob Golf''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[http://www.artofwei.com/about-me/ Art of Wei's portfolio mentioning Michelob Golf.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|11||''Michelob Golf''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[http://www.artofwei.com/about-me/ Art of Wei's portfolio mentioning Michelob Golf.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|-
|-
|12||''Mountain Dew Skateboarding''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|12||''Mountain Dew Skateboarding''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|13||''Nesquik: Chocolate Mountain Challenge''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|13||''Nesquik: Chocolate Mountain Challenge''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|14||''[[Pringles Pony Express (found 3D Groove online game; 2002)|Pringles Pony Express]]''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|14||''[[Pringles Pony Express (found 3D Groove online game; 2002)|Pringles Pony Express]]''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|15||''Pringles: Super Spud Boxing''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|15||''Pringles: Super Spud Boxing''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|16||''RC Stunt Machine Showdown''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|16||''RC Stunt Machine Showdown''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|17||''SEMIs ChipsOnTour''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|17||''SEMIs ChipsOnTour''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|18||''Volvo Cross-Country Challenge''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|18||''Volvo Cross-Country Challenge''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|19||''Unlimited Challenge 2''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|19||''Unlimited Challenge 2''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|}
|}
==Cartoon Network==
==Cartoon Network==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''Powerpuff Girls: Showdown in the Sky''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''Powerpuff Girls: Showdown in the Sky''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace''||<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
|2||''Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace''||<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''
|}
|}
==Disney==
==Disney==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''American Dragon: Robot Pandemonium''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''American Dragon: Robot Pandemonium''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''Dunk Tank''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|2||''Dunk Tank''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|3||''Hamsterball Bowling''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|3||''Hamsterball Bowling''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|4||''JetiXtreme 3D Racing''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|4||''JetiXtreme 3D Racing''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|5||''Johnny Kapahala: Island Grind''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|5||''Johnny Kapahala: Island Grind''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|6||''Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|6||''Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|7||''Oban Star Racers: Great Race''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|7||''Oban Star Racers: Great Race''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|8||''Tarzan's Jungle Rescue''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|8||''Tarzan's Jungle Rescue''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|9||''Yin Yang Yo: The Dangerous Comic Book of Dread''||<span style=color:green>'''Found'''</span>
|9||''Yin Yang Yo: The Dangerous Comic Book of Dread''||<span style=color:green>'''Found'''
|}
|}
==Ezone==
==Ezone==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''Battle of the Planets: Peril of the Praying Mantis''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''Battle of the Planets: Peril of the Praying Mantis''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''Farmer Giblet's Turkey Farm'' (''Turkey 3D!'')||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|2||''Farmer Giblet's Turkey Farm'' (''Turkey 3D!'')||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|3||''Lenny Loosejocks Boardin''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|3||''Lenny Loosejocks Boardin''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|4||''Lenny Loosejocks in Snow Worries!''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|4||''Lenny Loosejocks in Snow Worries!''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|5||''Penguin Racers''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|5||''Penguin Racers''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|6||''Santa Goes Buttboardin' 3D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|6||''Santa Goes Buttboardin' 3D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|7||''Super Mega Big Trucks: Arena''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|7||''Super Mega Big Trucks: Arena''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|8||''Space Wombat''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|8||''Space Wombat''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|}
|}
==NickArcade==
==NickArcade==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''All Grown Up Crazy Karts''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''All Grown Up Crazy Karts''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''Adventures of Bleeposaurus''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|2||''Adventures of Bleeposaurus''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|3||''Adventures of Bleeposaurus: Dragonfire''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|3||''Adventures of Bleeposaurus: Dragonfire''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|4||''Blue's Clues: Joe's 3D Scavenger Hunt''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|4||''Blue's Clues: Joe's 3D Scavenger Hunt''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|5||''Danny Phantom Ghost Sweep''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|5||''Danny Phantom Ghost Sweep''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|6||''Diego's Rescue Adventure 3-D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|6||''Diego's Rescue Adventure 3-D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|7||''Dora 3D Soccer''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|7||''Dora 3D Soccer''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|8||''Dora The Explorer 3-D Backpack Adventure''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|8||''Dora The Explorer 3-D Backpack Adventure''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|9||''Dora The Explorer 3D Driving Adventure''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|9||''Dora The Explorer 3D Driving Adventure''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|10||''Dora The Explorer 3-D Pyramid Adventure''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|10||''Dora The Explorer 3-D Pyramid Adventure''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|11||''Fairly OddParents Information Stupor Highway''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|11||''Fairly OddParents Information Stupor Highway''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|12||''Hey, Arnold! Runaway Bus''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|12||''Hey, Arnold! Runaway Bus''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|13||[[Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race (partially found online game; 2002)|''Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race'']]||<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
|13||[[Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race (partially found online game; 2002)|''Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race'']]||<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''
|-
|-
|14||''Jimmy Neutron: Rescue Jet Fusion''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|14||''Jimmy Neutron: Rescue Jet Fusion''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|15||''Jimmy Neutron Space Blast''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|15||''Jimmy Neutron Space Blast''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|16||''Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|16||''Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|17||''Rocket Power Big Air Mountain''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|17||''Rocket Power Big Air Mountain''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|18||''SpongeBob SquarePants 3D Movie Game''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|18||''SpongeBob SquarePants 3D Movie Game''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|19||''SpongeBob SquarePants Pinball Panic''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|19||''SpongeBob SquarePants Pinball Panic''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|20||[[SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab 3D (found computer game; 2002)|''SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab'']]||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|20||[[SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab 3D (found computer game; 2002)|''SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab'']]||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|21||''Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|21||''Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|}
|}
==Pepworks/andUP==
==Pepworks/andUP==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''002 Turbo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''002 Turbo''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''Animenace: Operation Phantom''||<span style="color:orange;">''Partially Found''</span>
|2||''Animenace: Operation Phantom''||<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''
|-
|-
|3||''Architecture Demo''||<span style="color:red;">''Lost''</span><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051220041003/http://www.andup.com/start.htm Page linking to Lisasquest 3D and Architecture Demo made in Groove GX.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|3||''Architecture Demo''||<span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051220041003/http://www.andup.com/start.htm Page linking to Lisasquest 3D and Architecture Demo made in Groove GX.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref>
|-
|-
|4||''Baby Knight''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|4||''Baby Knight''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|5||''Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|5||''Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|6||''Battle of the Planets: Zoltar's Revenge''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|6||''Battle of the Planets: Zoltar's Revenge''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|7||''Bio Boxing 3D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|7||''Bio Boxing 3D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|8||''Cyobreed''||<span style="color:gray;">'''Non-existent'''</span><ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/marcnail/art/aquanoid-4089042 Marc Nail discussing Cyobreed's cancellation.] Retrieved 24 Oct '18</ref>
|8||''Cyobreed''||<span style="color:gray;">'''Non-existent'''</span><ref>[https://www.deviantart.com/marcnail/art/aquanoid-4089042 Marc Nail discussing Cyobreed's cancellation.] Retrieved 24 Oct '18</ref>
|-
|-
|9||''Leo's Great Day 2''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|9||''Elfsquest''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|10||''Lisasquest 3D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|10||''Leo's Great Day 2''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|11||''Lisasquest 3D''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|}
|}
==Roddenberry/[[Net Jet Games (partially found inaccessible Tiger Electronics brand games; 2007-2009)|NetJet]]==
==Roddenberry/[[Net Jet Games (partially found inaccessible Tiger Electronics brand games; 2007-2009)|NetJet]]==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="background-color:green" | #
! style="background-color:lightblue" | #
! style="background-color:green" | Game Title
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Game Title
! style="background-color:green" | Status
! style="background-color:lightblue" | Status
|-
|-
|1||''OTOY Battle Space''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|1||''OTOY Battle Space''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|-
|-
|2||''Star Trek Online''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span>
|2||''Star Trek Online''||<span style=color:red>'''Lost'''
|-
|-
|3||''Transformers Battle Universe''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span>
|3||''Transformers Battle Universe''||<span style="color:green;">'''Found'''
|}
|}
==Gallery==
==Gallery==
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File:Nesquik 3D Screenshot.png
File:Nesquik 3D Screenshot.png
File:Dora 3D Driving Adventure Screenshot.png
File:Dora 3D Driving Adventure Screenshot.png
File:Dora 3D Pyramid Adventue Screenshot.png
File:Dora 3D Pyramid Adventure Screenshot.png
File:Dora 3D Barn.png
File:Dora 3D Barn.png
File:Blues Clues 3D House.png
File:Blues Clues 3D House.png
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[[Category:Partially lost media]]
[[Category:Partially lost media]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]
[[Category:Existence unconfirmed]]
[[Category:Non-existence confirmed]]

Revision as of 17:44, 27 February 2020

Header 01 install.png

3D Groove's logo.

Status: Partially Lost

3D Groove was a 3D game engine that was active between 1998 and 2009, with its peak occurring in the early to mid-2000s. Many 3D Groove games were lost when 3D Groove's site shut down in 2009.

The 3D Groove engine was created by the company The Groove Alliance. While the Groove Alliance developed their own original games, their main focus was to develop games to advertise various toys, movies, and cartoons. 3D Groove's Advergames would be developed at the request of a company for one of its brands, such as Radio Shack, AT&T, Intel, Pringles, etc.

These games could be played online with a web browser plugin, but often there was a more fully-featured version of the same game which could be purchased and played offline. The games were licensed royalty-free and non-exclusively, and the game would need to be removed after the license expired.[1]

Technology

Similar to Java, 3D Groove games could be built to be played on the desktop or in a browser. 3D Groove came in different forms - there was 3D Groove SX and 3D Groove GX. The first form of 3D Groove was 3D Groove SX, which allowed developers with Macromedia Director to create a Shockwave Movie File (with a filetype of DCR) to load 3D Groove games. In 2002, 3D Groove GX was introduced, and it allowed for the creation of 3D Groove games without the need for Macromedia Director. With 3D Groove GX, developers would use the private SDK provided by The Groove Alliance to create a Groove World File (with a filetype of GRV.)

Both versions of 3D Groove, in turn, used the 3D Game Machine C/C++ game development framework (3DGM for short) from Virtually Unlimited Corp. In September 2001, 3D Groove bought the source code for 3DGM.[2] Most of the 3D models in 3D Groove games use the 3DGM Model File format (with a filetype of 3GM) and is similar to the standard 3DS Model File format but with more functionality added to it. For example, the ability to use quads - or faces with any amount of vertices - instead of just triangles, was included.

History

In 1995, before 3D Groove existed, programmer Jules Urbach worked at DigitalFusion and helped to code the game Real Pool, a basic 3D pool game for the Mac intended to rival the Virtual Pool series. The game was published by MacSoft and got a Windows port in 1998, which was published through GT Interactive (which would later become Infogrames) shortly before the Groove Alliance was established.

The Groove Alliance was established on July 6, 1998. Mr. Urbach was the company's co-founder, with entrepreneur Chris Kantrowitz and programmer Peter Laufenberg, who did much of the C++ code for the 3D Groove web browser plugin. Other notable names involved with 3D Groove are Patrick Thiel from Pepworks.com (animator,) Ben Encarcion (artist,) Nick Kang (developer,) Jed Whedon and Rene Winkler (music and sound design) and Jamie and Simon Edis from Ezone.com (artist and programmer, respectively, who used 3D Groove for their web games.)

The assets used in Real Pool were recycled to make a web demo version, becoming the first use of the 3D Groove engine. It was intended to promote the full game, the web version of Real Pool used 3D Groove SX and was published on Shockwave.com, becoming their first 3D game, where it got between 5-6 million plays according to Laufenberg. The game made over four million dollars in total sales, according to Vice President of Marketing for Infogrames Paul Rinde. It was later recycled again into an advergame for Jack Daniels.

The Groove Alliance then developed a game called SkyDive! which was released by Electronic Arts on June 30, 1999, with their Gonzo Games label. It received mostly negative reviews.[3] Shockwave.com announced a partnership with Groove Alliance to develop new games. One of these was Tank Wars, a game where you drive around the city playing as a tank destroying other tanks. It was released in Spring 2000 and got over 1.5 million plays per month.[4][5]

From January 2001 to August 2003, Joseph Varet became 3D Groove's CEO.

Kpe and the Groove Alliance announced a partnership. The first title they released under this partnership was Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard for NickArcade.[6] RealNetworks announced a distribution agreement with the Groove Alliance for their RealArcade platform.[7] 3D Groove also made a sequel to Real Pool called Real Pool 2, which became the first game to use the new 3D Groove GX engine version.[8]

By March 2002, the 3D Groove engine had been downloaded 40 million times.[9] In early 2004, Peter Laufenburg left the Groove Alliance.

3D Groove marketed a new Battle of the Planets game to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary. Transformers Battle Universe for the Net Jet controller was also made in the 3D Groove GX engine.

In early 2009, 3D Groove's site shut down, causing a lot of their games to be lost.

The exact reason 3D Groove no longer exists is unknown, although one blog post on A Tree Falling in the Forest about Jules Urbach, who worked at 3D Groove, wrote that he was "kind of screwed" by certain people in Groove Alliance.[10] When asked on the Ezone Discord server what happened to 3D Groove as a company, Ezone responded that "all [they] know is that Jules got ripped off in some way by the CEO." The Groove Alliance rebranded as OTOY, which is still around today but has moved in a different direction, instead focusing on their OctaneRender engine used to create photorealistic graphics from within 3D modelling tools such as Maya, and they do not acknowledge the existence of 3D Groove or its games.

Availability of Games and Download

No 3D Groove games are currently available for purchase. However, several are still available to play thanks to various means, such as archive.org or people uploading a game that was on their computer. Many games were also given out directly by Simon Edis from Ezone. A list of games that are currently lost and found can be viewed below. A MEGA Folder of the currently found 3D Groove games is available here for download.

Groove Alliance Original Titles

# Game Title Status
1 3D Marble Demo Found
2 9MM: Beer Bottle Shootout Found
3 AlienX Found
4 Death From Above Found
5 High Roller Partially Found[11][12]
6 Nothin' But Net Found
7 Outpost X Demo Found
8 Piscean Found
9 Real Pool Found
10 Real Pool 2 Found
11 Showdown: The Gunfighting Game Found
12 SkyDive! Found
13 SkyRacer: Impulse Found
14 Star Battalion Lost
15 Tank Wars Found
16 Tank Wars Multiplayer Lost[13]

Groove Alliance Advergames

# Game Title Status
1 3D Groove Bose Game Lost[14]
2 3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game Non-existent
3 Cisco Broadband Game Lost
4 Disc Dogger Lost[15]
5 Eight Legged Freaks Found
6 FedEx USA Express Lost[16]
7 Intel's Showdown: The Gunfighting Game Lost
8 Jack Daniel's Real Pool Lost
9 M&M's: Yellow Takes Tokyo Found
10 Mazda: Skyracer Impulse Found
11 Michelob Golf Lost[17]
12 Mountain Dew Skateboarding Lost
13 Nesquik: Chocolate Mountain Challenge Found
14 Pringles Pony Express Found
15 Pringles: Super Spud Boxing Found
16 RC Stunt Machine Showdown Found
17 SEMIs ChipsOnTour Lost
18 Volvo Cross-Country Challenge Found
19 Unlimited Challenge 2 Found

Cartoon Network

# Game Title Status
1 Powerpuff Girls: Showdown in the Sky Found
2 Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace Partially Found

Disney

# Game Title Status
1 American Dragon: Robot Pandemonium Found
2 Dunk Tank Found
3 Hamsterball Bowling Found
4 JetiXtreme 3D Racing Found
5 Johnny Kapahala: Island Grind Found
6 Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem Found
7 Oban Star Racers: Great Race Found
8 Tarzan's Jungle Rescue Found
9 Yin Yang Yo: The Dangerous Comic Book of Dread Found

Ezone

# Game Title Status
1 Battle of the Planets: Peril of the Praying Mantis Found
2 Farmer Giblet's Turkey Farm (Turkey 3D!) Found
3 Lenny Loosejocks Boardin Found
4 Lenny Loosejocks in Snow Worries! Found
5 Penguin Racers Found
6 Santa Goes Buttboardin' 3D Found
7 Super Mega Big Trucks: Arena Found
8 Space Wombat Found

NickArcade

# Game Title Status
1 All Grown Up Crazy Karts Found
2 Adventures of Bleeposaurus Found
3 Adventures of Bleeposaurus: Dragonfire Found
4 Blue's Clues: Joe's 3D Scavenger Hunt Found
5 Danny Phantom Ghost Sweep Found
6 Diego's Rescue Adventure 3-D Found
7 Dora 3D Soccer Found
8 Dora The Explorer 3-D Backpack Adventure Found
9 Dora The Explorer 3D Driving Adventure Found
10 Dora The Explorer 3-D Pyramid Adventure Found
11 Fairly OddParents Information Stupor Highway Found
12 Hey, Arnold! Runaway Bus Found
13 Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race Partially Found
14 Jimmy Neutron: Rescue Jet Fusion Found
15 Jimmy Neutron Space Blast Found
16 Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard Found
17 Rocket Power Big Air Mountain Found
18 SpongeBob SquarePants 3D Movie Game Found
19 SpongeBob SquarePants Pinball Panic Found
20 SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab Found
21 Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase Found

Pepworks/andUP

# Game Title Status
1 002 Turbo Found
2 Animenace: Operation Phantom Partially Found
3 Architecture Demo Lost[18]
4 Baby Knight Found
5 Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer Found
6 Battle of the Planets: Zoltar's Revenge Found
7 Bio Boxing 3D Found
8 Cyobreed Non-existent[19]
9 Elfsquest Found
10 Leo's Great Day 2 Found
11 Lisasquest 3D Found

Roddenberry/NetJet

# Game Title Status
1 OTOY Battle Space Found
2 Star Trek Online Lost
3 Transformers Battle Universe Found

Gallery

External Links

References

  1. The Groove Alliance's business model. Retrieved 22 Nov '17
  2. Information about 3D Game Machine. Retrieved 06 Dec '98
  3. Information on SkyDive! Retrieved 22 Nov '17
  4. Information on Shockwave.com's partnership with Groove Alliance. Retrieved 08 Mar '00
  5. Statistic about the game Tank Wars. Retrieved 22 Nov '17
  6. Information on kpe's partnership with Groove Alliance. Retrieved 06 Feb '01
  7. Information on RealNetworks distribution agreement with Groove Alliance. Retrieved 18 Jul '01
  8. Statistics and information about Real Pool. Retrieved 19 Feb '02
  9. The 3D Groove engine download statistic. Retrieved 16 Mar '02
  10. A blog post on A Tree Falling in the Forest about Jules Urbach who was involved with 3D Groove. Retrieved 10 Jul '08
  11. Small screenshots of High Roller and Outpost X. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
  12. Small review of High Roller. Retrieved 24 Oct '18
  13. Capture mentioning Tank Wars Multiplayer existing on e4.com Retrieved 10 Oct '18
  14. Site on which 3D Groove Bose Game of unknown title, Cisco Broadband Game and SEMIs ChipsOnTour would've been embedded. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
  15. Capture of Disc Dogger's loader which tries to install 3D Groove. The game itself was not caught. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
  16. Joseph Varet's LinkedIn suggesting there was a FedEx advergame in the 3D Groove engine. Retrieved 28 Oct '17
  17. Art of Wei's portfolio mentioning Michelob Golf. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
  18. Page linking to Lisasquest 3D and Architecture Demo made in Groove GX. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
  19. Marc Nail discussing Cyobreed's cancellation. Retrieved 24 Oct '18