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| {{InfoboxLost
| | FREE GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY |
| |title=<center>3D Groove Games</center>
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| |image=header_01_install.png
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| |imagecaption=3D Groove's logo.
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| |status=<span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span>
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| }}
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| '''3D Groove''' was a 3D game engine that was active between 1998 and 2009, with it's peak occurring in the early to mid-2000s. Many 3D Groove games were lost when 3D Groove's site shut down in 2009.
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| The 3D Groove engine was created by the company The 3D Groove Alliance, Inc. While the 3D 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 it's brands, such as Radio Shack, At&T, Intel, Pringles, etc.
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| 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.<ref>[http://www.seanlydon.com/sonyconnectcd/profiles/930.htm The 3D Groove Alliance's business model.] Retrieved 22 Nov '17</ref>
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| ==Technology==
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| 3D Groove came in the different forms (3D Groove SX and 3D Groove GX). Similar to Java, 3D Groove games could be built to be played on the desktop/in a browser as a standalone GRV World File using 3D Groove GX, or with Macromedia/Adobe Director to make a Shockwave Player DIR/DXR/DCR archive file containing a GRV World File as a cast member (which required 3D Groove Xtra to be installed) using 3D Groove SX.
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| 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 6 Dec '98</ref> Most of the 3D models in 3D Groove games use the 3DGM Model File format, which has a .3GM extension and is similar to the common 3DS model file format but with more functionality added to it, including the ability to use quads - or faces with any amount of vertices - instead of just triangles.
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| ==History==
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| 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 through MacSoft, and got a Windows port in 1998, which was published through GT Interactive (which would later become Infogrames) shortly before the 3D Groove Alliance was established.
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| The 3D Groove Alliance was established 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.)
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| The assets used in ''Real Pool'' were recycled to make a web demo version, becoming the first use of the 3D Groove engine. 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.
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| The 3D 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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| Shockwave.com announced a partnership with 3D 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.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/groove-alliance-to-debut-six-new-3d-games-on-shockwavecom-72989302.html Information on Shockwave.com's partnership with 3D Groove Alliance.] Retrieved 8 Mar 2000</ref><ref>[http://www.legendsworld.net/shooter/game/2176 Statistic about the game Tank Wars.] Retrieved 22 Nov '17</ref>
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| From January 2001 to August 2003, Joseph Varet became 3D Groove's CEO.
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| kpe and the 3D Groove Alliance announced a partnership. The first title they released under this partnership was ''Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard'' for NickArcade.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-groove-alliance-and-kpe-form-strategic-partnership-71229517.html Information on kpe's partnership with 3D Groove Alliance.] Retrieved 6 Feb '01</ref> RealNetworks announced a distribution agreement with the 3D Groove Alliance for their RealArcade platform.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/realnetworks-announces-distribution-agreements-with-activision-and-other-game-publishers-as-popularity-of-realarcade-grows-71392512.html Information on RealNetworks distribution agreement with 3D Groove Alliance.] Retrieved 18 July '01</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.gamezone.com/news/infogrames_inc_racks_em_up_nationwide_as_real_pool_2_ships Statistics and information about Real Pool.] Retrieved 19 Feb '02</ref>
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| By March 2002, the 3D Groove engine had been downloaded 40 million times.<ref>[http://scifipulse.scifiwebs.com/Trek%20Archive/March/Ewrtalksgaming.htm The 3D Groove engine download statistic.] Retrieved 16 Mar '02</ref> In early 2004, Peter Laufenburg left the 3D Groove Alliance.
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| 3D Groove marketed a new ''Battle of the Planets'' game to celebrate the show's 25th anniversary. ''Transformers Battle Universe'' for the [[Net Jet Games (lost/inaccessible Tiger Electronics brand games; 2007-2009)|Net Jet controller]] was also made in the 3D Groove GX engine.
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| In early 2009, 3D Groove's site shut down, causing a lot of their games to be lost.
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| 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 3D Groove Alliance.<ref>[http://boesky.blogspot.ca/2008/07/check-it-out-otoy-edition.html A blog post on A Tree Falling in the Forest about Jules Urbach who was involved with 3D Groove.] Retrieved 10 Jul '08</ref> The 3D 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 do not acknowledge the existence of 3D Groove or its games.
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| ==Availability of Games==
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| 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. A list of games that are lost and found can be viewed below.
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| ==3D Groove Alliance Original Titles==
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| *''9MM: Beer Bottle Shootout'' - '''Found'''
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| *''AlienX'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Death From Above'' - '''Found'''
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| *''High Roller'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Sky Racer'' - '''Found''' (was renamed to ''SkyRacer: Impulse'', which is found)
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| *''SkyRacer: Impulse'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Nothin' But Net'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Outpost'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Piscean'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Real Pool'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Real Pool 2'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Showdown: The gunfighting game'' - '''Found'''
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| *''SkyDive!'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Star Battalion'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Tank Wars'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Tank Wars Multiplayer'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''World War I Ace'' - '''Found''' (was renamed to ''Death From Above'', which is found)
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| ==3D Groove Alliance Advergames==
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| *3D Groove Bose Game - '''Lost'''
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| *3D Groove FedEx Game - '''Lost'''<ref>[https://www.linkedin.com/in/jvaret Joseph Varet's LinkedIn suggesting there was a FedEx advergame in the 3D Groove engine. No title is given.] Retrieved 28 Oct '17</ref>
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| *3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game - '''Existence Unconfirmed'''
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| *''At&T's High Roller'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''At&T's Unlimited Challenge''/''AT&T's Unlimited Challenge 2'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Cisco Broadband Game'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Eight Legged Freaks'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Intel's Showdown: The gunfighting game'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Jack Daniels Real Pool'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Jeep Disk Dodger'' - '''Existence Unconfirmed'''
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| *''M&M's: Yellow Takes Tokyo'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Mazda: Skyracer Impulse'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Mountain Dew Skateboarding'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Nesquik: Chocolate Mountain Challenge'' - '''Found'''
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| *''[[Pringles Pony Express (lost 3D Groove online game; 2002)|Pringles Pony Express]]'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Pringles: Super Spud Boxing'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Radio Shack: RC Stunt Machine Showdown'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''SEMIs ChipsOnTour'' - '''Lost'''
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| ==Cartoon Network==
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| 3D Groove games developed for Cartoon Network.
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| *''Powerpuff Girls: Showdown in the Sky'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace'' - '''Partially Found''' (Corrupted Director File, Missing Level 1-5)
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| ==Disney==
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| 3D Groove games developed for Disney.
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| *''American Dragon: Robot Pandemonium'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Dunk Tank'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''JetiXtreme'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Johnny Kapahala: Island Grind'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Oban Star Racers: Great Race'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Tarzan's Jungle Rescue'' - '''Lost'''
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| *''Yin Yang Yo: The Dangerous Comic Book of Dread'' - '''Lost'''
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| ==Ezone==
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| 3D Groove games developed by Ezone.com
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| *''Battle of the Planets - Peril of the Praying Mantis'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Farmer Giblet's Turkey Farm'' (''Turkey 3D!'') - '''Found'''
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| *''Lenny Loosejocks Boardin''' - '''Found'''
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| *''Lenny Loosejocks in Snow Worries!'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Penguin Racers'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Santa Goes Buttboardin' 3D'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Super Mega Big Trucks - Arena'' - '''Partially Found''' (Missing Arcade Mode and Mission Mode)
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| *''Space Wombat'' - '''Found'''
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| ==NickArcade==
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| 3D Groove Games developed for Nickelodeon or Nick Jr.
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| *''All Grown Up Crazy Karts'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Adventures of Bleeposaurus'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Adventures of Bleeposaurus - Dragonfire'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Blues Clues: Joe's 3D Scavenger Hunt'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Danny Phantom Ghost Sweep'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Dora the Explorer 3-D Backpack Adventure'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Dora the Explorer 3D Driving Adventure'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Dora The Explorer 3-D Pyramid Adventure'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Dora 3D Soccer'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Diego's Rescue Adventure 3-D'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Fairly OddParents Information Stupor Highway'' - '''Found'''
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| *[[Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race (partially found online game; 2002)|''Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race'']] - '''Partially Found''' (Missing Content)
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| *''Jimmy Neutron: Rescue Jet Fusion'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Jimmy Neutron Space Blast'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Rocket Power Big Air Mountain'' - '''Found'''
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| *''SpongeBob SquarePants 3D Movie Game'' - '''Found'''
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| *''SpongeBob SquarePants Pinball Panic'' - '''Found'''
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| *[[SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab 3D (found computer game; 2002)|''SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab'']] - '''Found'''
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| *''Hey, Arnold! Runaway Bus'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase'' - '''Found'''
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| ==Pepworks.com==
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| *''Animenace: Operation Phantom'' - '''Partially Found''' (Missing Level 4-6)
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| *''Baby Knight'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Battle of the Planets: Zoltar's Revenge'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Bio Boxing 3D'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Cyobreed'' (Unreleased) - '''Unknown'''
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| *''Leo's Great Day 2'' - '''Found'''
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| ==Roddenberry.com==
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| Some early 3D Groove demos were created by Roddenberry.com as tech demos to show the capability of the 3D Groove engine.
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| *''OTOY Battle Space'' - '''Found'''
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| *''Star Trek Online'' - '''Lost'''
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| ==NetJet==
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| Games running on 3D Groove that were on [[Net Jet Games (lost/inaccessible Tiger Electronics brand games; 2007-2009)|NetJet]].
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| *''Transformers Battle Universe'' - '''Found'''
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| ==Gallery==
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| <gallery mode=packed heights=175px>
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| File:3dgroove.png|A clean version of the 3D Groove logo.
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| File:3dgroove_blue.png|The 3D Groove logo in blue, as seen in ''Alien X''.
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| File:banner_install.png|The Groove Alliance banner.
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| File:RC.jpg|The logo for "Radio Shack: RC Stunt Machine Showdown."
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| File:SUMMER2.png|The title screen for [[SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab 3D (found computer game; 2002)|''SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab'']].
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| File:Hey Arnold 3D Gameplay.png|A still from ''Hey Arnold! Runaway Bus 3D''
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| File:Dora The Explorer Backpack Adventure 3D Title.png|Title screen for ''Dora the Explorer Backpack Adventure 3D''
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| File:Pringles Pony Express.png
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| File:Powerpuff Girls 3D Bubbles.png
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| File:3D Blues Clues Grocery Store.png
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| File:Dora 3D Backpack Pond.png
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| File:Diego 3D Rescue Screenshot.png
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| File:Nesquik 3D Screenshot.png
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| File:Dora 3D Driving Adventure Screenshot.png
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| File:Dora 3D Pyramid Adventue Screenshot.png
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| File:Dora 3D Barn.png
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| File:Blues Clues 3D House.png
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| File:Mazda Skyracer Impulse Screenshot.png
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| File:Blues Clues 3D Cash Register.png
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| File:Blues Clues 3D School.png
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| File:Blues Clues 3D Park.png
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| File:Hey Arnold 3D Advertisement.png
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| File:Hey Arnold 3D Bridge.png
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| File:Jimmy Neutron Space Blast Ad.png
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| File:Wild Thornberries 3D Chopper Chase Nigel Thornberry.png
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| File:Pringles Spud Boxing Screenshot.png
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| File:Rocket Power Big Air Mountain Screenshot.png
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| File:Jimmy Neutron 3D Screenshot.png
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| File:Dora 3D Soccer Screenshot.png
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| File:WTCC Nigel Running.png
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| File:Wild Thornberries 3D Chopper Chase Eliza Thornberry Gameplay.png
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| File:Pringles 3D Boxing Twisted Curly O' Brien.png
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| File:Yin yang Yo.jpg
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| File:Dangereous.jpg
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| File:Jetixtreme_146x110.jpg|Thumbnail of the game ''JetiXtreme''.
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| File:Kimpossible_146x110.jpg|Thumbnail of the game ''Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem''.
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| File:Kp_middleton_mayhem.jpg|Small screenshot of the game ''Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem''.
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| File:Content.png|Screenshot of the game ''M&M's - Yellow Takes Tokyo''.
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| File:Content (2).png|Screenshot of the game ''M&M's - Yellow Takes Tokyo''.
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| File:P10_cartoon_network.jpg|''Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace''
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| File:JNGBRR Possible gameplay.png
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| File:Jackdanielspool.jpg|''Jack Daniel's Real Pool''
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| File:Skyracer picon2.gif
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| File:Mazda.PNG| Select Car Screen for ''Mazda: Skyracer Impulse''.
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| File:Mazda_2.PNG|Gameplay of ''Mazda: Skyracer Impulse''.
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| File:SorryscreenKP.jpg|Sorry screen for ''Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem''.
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| File:Jetixtreme.jpg |Small thumbnail of ''JetiXtreme''.
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| File:SorryscreenJETIX.jpg|Sorry screen for ''JetiXtreme''.
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| </gallery>
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| ==External Links==
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| *[https://mega.nz/#F!9xx1Fb6J!htG1PEOPan3QnbSB_j3m_A Link to a MEGA folder containing some found 3D Groove content, including games and Shockwave xtras. All games are for Windows unless otherwise specified.]
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| *[http://director-online.dasdeck.com/buildArticle.php?id=286 Article about 3D in Director with a screenshot of 3D Groove's Xtra being used within Director]
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| *[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NIR2T4X9uY A commercial for the M&M's game: Yellow Takes Tokyo]
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| ==References==
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| <references/>
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| [[Category:Lost internet media]]
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| [[Category:Lost video games]]
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| [[Category:Partially found media]]
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