Multiverse

Under the Hood

Corey Bridges & Rafhael Cedeno

Game Developers Conference 2008

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What Sets Us Apart

• Complete MMOG technology solution – Server, client, tools, starter assets and sample worlds – Open standards-based technology

• The Multiverse Network – Painless consumer access via Multiverse "World Browser"

– All games and worlds launch in the network

• Use the platform for FREE....no up-front costs

– Develop and deploy for free – 10% revenue share with us – Our success depends on your success

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Virtual Times Square

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Business Collaboration Spaces Mirror Worlds Social Games

Sci-Fi Shooters Fantasy MMORPGs Educational Worlds

Virtual Worlds: Many Different Applications

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• The Multiverse Network – Connects all Multiverse Client "World Browsers" to gameworlds running on Multiverse

servers – Handles consumer registration, authentication, and login – Coming: age verification and billing

• Multiverse World Browser – 3D rendering engine based on OGRE/Axiom – Runs on Windows (XP, Vista) using DirectX – Written in C#; scriptable in Python

• Multiverse Servers – Scalable, distributed plug-in architecture – Run servers on your own system – Written in Java; scriptable in Python – Write server plug-ins in Java – Standard JDBC database backend – MARS: open-source library of plug-ins for mobs, combat, inventory, etc.

• Multiverse Tools – World Editor, Terrain Generator, and Model Viewer

– Conversion tools for 3ds, Maya, Blender, etc.

The Multiverse Platform

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The Multiverse Network

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The Multiverse World Architecture

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• Next-gen 3D graphics rendering engine with complete fallbacks

• Shaders can be written in Cg or HLSL with compositor framework • Python scripting API (animations, lights, camera, etc)• Powerful material and particle script capabilities• Skeletal animation, morphs, and animation blending• Robust networking infrastructure (TCP and UDP available)• International Language support

• FMOD for leading audio solution

• Web browser integration

• Movies and Flash (YouTube)

Next Release • Free VOIP: 3D positional & channels

The Multiverse World Browser

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UI is often underestimated

• XML-based UI widget set

• Python-based event handling

• Character creation and selection framework

• Python scripting API provides access to virtually all aspects of the Client

• Pre-coded customizable UI components / examples – minimap – chat window – help window – Backpack

• HTML and Flash UI support

Client UI Customization

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• Scalable, flexible, and extensible

• Java based, runs on Linux, Windows XP/Vista, Mac• Modular plug-in architecture for customization and extensibility

– Infrastructure plug-ins: Provide basic services – MARS plug-ins: provide world-specific gameplay functions

• Python as extension language• Runs on any Database supporting JDBC (eg: MySQL)

• 2000 concurrent users per server (depends on world)

• Easily runs on hosted solutions such as Amazon’s EC2

• Plug-ins communicate via publish/subscribe messaging system

Next Release• Instancing (dynamic, distributed, and shared)

Multiverse Servers

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• Message Server / Registry

– Enables communication among servers – Works with distributed servers

• Login Manager – Handles user login and character creation

• Proxy Server – Handles communication with the client

• World Manager

– Controls geography and perception

• Object Manager

– Manages persistent data (inventory and mob info)

• World Reader – Reads a world file created by Multiverse World Editor

Multiverse Server Infrastructure Plug-Ins

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• What's MARS? "Multiverse Agnostic Rules System"

• Combat plug-in: controls combat • Mob plug-in: controls mobs and quests • Inventory and trading plug-in • Physics plug-in

MARS Server Plug-Ins

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• Art pipeline conversion tools

– Convert from popular modeling tools (3ds Max, Maya, SketchUp, Blender, etc.)

– COLLADA intermediate format – Plugins available for 3D development tools

• Import tool brings in Collada files into Multiverse format• Model Viewer displays 3D models and animations

• Terrain Generator creates world terrain

• World Editor places static models in world, sets world properties

Multiverse Tools: Overview

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• View models converted to Multiverse format Bones

• Sockets • Animations • Submeshes • Lighting conditions:

– Ambient, diffuse, specular light color – Light Direction

Multiverse Tools: Model Viewer

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• Creates a world topography

• Fractal topography based on a seed heightmap • Heightmap terrain from L3DT, PnP TerrainCreator, other tools

Multiverse Tools: Terrain Generator

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• Set World properties

– Skybox, ocean attributes, fog, ambient & directional light, etc.

• Place and manage: – Static objects such as buildings,

walls / fences, props, etc. – Bodies of water, fog regions

– Point sounds, ambient sound regions

– Spawn generator points / regions

– Forests, trees, vegetation

– Roads and other features such as point lights, particle effects, terrain decals

Multiverse Tools: World Editor

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One app for:• Assets Management,• Model Viewing,• Level Editing

Tools: Coming Up

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Toolbox can

preview entire

world

Tools: Coming Up

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• Multiverse provides a complete MMOG technology platform

– Scalable, high-performance Java server suite – State-of-the art graphical client – Tools suite – Comprehensive documentation

• No up-front cost • Vibrant, growing community: over 18,000 developer teams

Conclusion

What world will you build?