3D Groove Games (partially lost online games; 1998-2009): Difference between revisions
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*''Star Battalion'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | *''Star Battalion'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | ||
*''Tank Wars'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | *''Tank Wars'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
*''Tank Wars Multiplayer'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | *''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> | ||
*''World War I Ace'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> (was renamed to ''Death From Above'', which is found) | *''World War I Ace'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> (was renamed to ''Death From Above'', which is found) | ||
==3D Groove Alliance Advergames== | ==3D Groove Alliance Advergames== | ||
*3D Groove Bose | *3D Groove Bose Game - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040211011633/http://inhance.com:80/portfolio_interactive5.htm Page on which 3D Groove Bose Game of unknown title would've been embedded.] Retrieved 10 Oct '18</ref> | ||
*3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game - <span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span> | *3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game - <span style="color:grey;">'''Existence Unconfirmed'''</span> | ||
*''At&T's High Roller'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> (was renamed to ''AT&T's Unlimited Challenge 2'', which is found) | *''At&T's High Roller'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> (was renamed to ''AT&T's Unlimited Challenge 2'', which is found) | ||
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*''Cisco Broadband Game'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | *''Cisco Broadband Game'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | ||
*''Eight Legged Freaks'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | *''Eight Legged Freaks'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
*''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> | |||
*''Intel's Showdown: The gunfighting game'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | *''Intel's Showdown: The gunfighting game'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | ||
*''Jack Daniels Real Pool'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | *''Jack Daniels Real Pool'' - <span style=color:red>'''Lost'''</span> | ||
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*''Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | *''Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
==Pepworks.com== | ==Pepworks.com/andUP== | ||
*''Animenace: Operation Phantom'' - <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> (Missing Level 4-6) | *''Animenace: Operation Phantom'' - <span style="color:orange;">'''Partially Found'''</span> (Missing Level 4-6) | ||
*''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> | |||
*''Baby Knight'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | *''Baby Knight'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
*''Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | *''Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
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*''Cyobreed'' - <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | *''Cyobreed'' - <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | ||
*''Leo's Great Day 2'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | *''Leo's Great Day 2'' - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> | ||
*''Lisasquest 3D'' - <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''</span> | |||
==Roddenberry.com== | ==Roddenberry.com== | ||
Revision as of 03:57, 11 October 2018
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 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 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 3D 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 common 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 3D Groove Alliance was established.
The 3D 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. 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 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.[3] 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.[4][5]
From January 2001 to August 2003, Joseph Varet became 3D Groove's CEO.
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.[6] RealNetworks announced a distribution agreement with the 3D 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 3D 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 3D Groove Alliance.[10] 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.
Availability of Games
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.
3D Groove Alliance Original Titles
- 9MM: Beer Bottle Shootout - Found
- AlienX - Found
- Death From Above - Found
- High Roller - Lost (however, a prototype has been found)
- Sky Racer - Found (was renamed to SkyRacer: Impulse, which is found)
- SkyRacer: Impulse - Found
- Nothin' But Net - Found
- Outpost - Lost
- Piscean - Found
- Real Pool - Found
- Real Pool 2 - Found
- Showdown: The gunfighting game - Found
- SkyDive! - Found
- Star Battalion - Lost
- Tank Wars - Found
- Tank Wars Multiplayer - Lost[11]
- World War I Ace - Found (was renamed to Death From Above, which is found)
3D Groove Alliance Advergames
- 3D Groove Bose Game - Lost[12]
- 3D Groove Skittles Bowling Game - Existence Unconfirmed
- At&T's High Roller - Found (was renamed to AT&T's Unlimited Challenge 2, which is found)
- AT&T's Unlimited Challenge 2 - Found
- Cisco Broadband Game - Lost
- Eight Legged Freaks - Found
- FedEx USA Express - Lost[13]
- Intel's Showdown: The gunfighting game - Lost
- Jack Daniels Real Pool - Lost
- Jeep Disc Dogger - Lost[14]
- M&M's: Yellow Takes Tokyo - Found
- Mazda: Skyracer Impulse - Lost
- Michelob Golf - Lost[15]
- Mountain Dew Skateboarding - Lost
- Nesquik: Chocolate Mountain Challenge - Found
- Pringles Pony Express - Found
- Pringles: Super Spud Boxing - Found
- Radio Shack: RC Stunt Machine Showdown - Found
- SEMIs ChipsOnTour - Lost
- Volvo Cross-Country Challenge - Found
Cartoon Network
3D Groove games developed for Cartoon Network.
- Powerpuff Girls: Showdown in the Sky - Found
- Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace - Partially Found (Corrupted Director File, Missing Level 1-5)
Disney
3D Groove games developed for Disney.
- American Dragon: Robot Pandemonium - Found
- Dunk Tank - Found
- Hamsterball Bowling - Found
- JetiXtreme 3D Racing - Found
- Johnny Kapahala: Island Grind - Found
- Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem - Found
- Oban Star Racers: Great Race - Found
- Tarzan's Jungle Rescue - Found
- Yin Yang Yo: The Dangerous Comic Book of Dread - Found
Ezone
3D Groove games developed by Ezone.com
- Battle of the Planets - Peril of the Praying Mantis - Found
- Farmer Giblet's Turkey Farm (Turkey 3D!) - Found
- Lenny Loosejocks Boardin' - Found
- Lenny Loosejocks in Snow Worries! - Found
- Penguin Racers - Found
- Santa Goes Buttboardin' 3D - Found
- Super Mega Big Trucks - Arena - Found
- Space Wombat - Found
NickArcade
3D Groove Games developed for Nickelodeon or Nick Jr.
- All Grown Up Crazy Karts - Found
- Adventures of Bleeposaurus - Found
- Adventures of Bleeposaurus - Dragonfire - Found
- Blues Clues: Joe's 3D Scavenger Hunt - Found
- Danny Phantom Ghost Sweep - Found
- Dora the Explorer 3-D Backpack Adventure - Found
- Dora the Explorer 3D Driving Adventure - Found
- Dora The Explorer 3-D Pyramid Adventure - Found
- Dora 3D Soccer - Found
- Diego's Rescue Adventure 3-D - Found
- Fairly OddParents Information Stupor Highway - Found
- Jimmy Neutron: Gotta Blast! Rocket Race - Partially Found (Missing Promo Version)
- Jimmy Neutron: Rescue Jet Fusion - Found
- Jimmy Neutron Space Blast - Found
- Otto's Killer Carvin Snowboard - Found
- Rocket Power Big Air Mountain - Found
- SpongeBob SquarePants 3D Movie Game - Found
- SpongeBob SquarePants Pinball Panic - Found
- SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab - Found
- Hey, Arnold! Runaway Bus - Found
- Wild Thornberrys Movie Chopper Chase - Found
Pepworks.com/andUP
- Animenace: Operation Phantom - Partially Found (Missing Level 4-6)
- Architecture Demo - Lost [16]
- Baby Knight - Found
- Battle of the Planets: 3D Battle Racer - Found
- Battle of the Planets: Zoltar's Revenge - Found
- Bio Boxing 3D - Found
- Cyobreed - Lost
- Leo's Great Day 2 - Found
- Lisasquest 3D - Lost
Roddenberry.com
Some early 3D Groove demos were created by Roddenberry.com as tech demos to show the capability of the 3D Groove engine.
- OTOY Battle Space - Found
- Star Trek Online - Lost
NetJet
Games running on 3D Groove that were on NetJet.
- Transformers Battle Universe - Found
Gallery
A clean version of the 3D Groove logo.
The 3D Groove logo in blue, as seen in Alien X.
The Groove Alliance banner.
The logo for "Radio Shack: RC Stunt Machine Showdown."
The title screen for SpongeBob SquarePants Saves the Krusty Krab.
A still from Hey Arnold! Runaway Bus 3D
Title screen for Dora the Explorer Backpack Adventure 3D
Thumbnail of the game JetiXtreme.
Thumbnail of the game Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem.
Small screenshot of the game Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem.
Screenshot of the game M&M's - Yellow Takes Tokyo.
Screenshot of the game M&M's - Yellow Takes Tokyo.
Toonami: Trapped in Hyperspace
Jack Daniel's Real Pool
Select Car Screen for Mazda: Skyracer Impulse.
Gameplay of Mazda: Skyracer Impulse.
Sorry screen for Kim Possible: Middleton Mayhem.
Small thumbnail of JetiXtreme.
Sorry screen for JetiXtreme.
External Links
- Link to a MEGA folder containing some found 3D Groove content, including games and Shockwave xtras. All games are for Windows unless otherwise specified.
- Article about 3D in Director with a screenshot of 3D Groove's Xtra being used within Director.
- A commercial for the M&M's game: Yellow Takes Tokyo.
References
- ↑ The 3D Groove Alliance's business model. Retrieved 22 Nov '17
- ↑ Information about 3D Game Machine. Retrieved 06 Dec '98
- ↑ Information on SkyDive! Retrieved 22 Nov '17
- ↑ Information on Shockwave.com's partnership with 3D Groove Alliance. Retrieved 08 Mar '00
- ↑ Statistic about the game Tank Wars. Retrieved 22 Nov '17
- ↑ Information on kpe's partnership with 3D Groove Alliance. Retrieved 06 Feb '01
- ↑ Information on RealNetworks distribution agreement with 3D Groove Alliance. Retrieved 18 Jul '01
- ↑ Statistics and information about Real Pool. Retrieved 19 Feb '02
- ↑ The 3D Groove engine download statistic. Retrieved 16 Mar '02
- ↑ A blog post on A Tree Falling in the Forest about Jules Urbach who was involved with 3D Groove. Retrieved 10 Jul '08
- ↑ Capture mentioning Tank Wars Multiplayer existing on e4.com Retrieved 10 Oct '18
- ↑ Page on which 3D Groove Bose Game of unknown title would've been embedded. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
- ↑ Joseph Varet's LinkedIn suggesting there was a FedEx advergame in the 3D Groove engine. Retrieved 28 Oct '17
- ↑ Capture of Jeep Disc Dogger's loader which tries to install 3D Groove. The game itself was not caught. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
- ↑ Art of Wei's portfolio mentioning Michelob Golf. Retrieved 10 Oct '18
- ↑ Page linking to Lisasquest 3D and Architecture Demo made in Groove GX. Retrieved 10 Oct '18