Multiverse Overview

1
Under the Hood
Corey Bridges Rafhael Cedeno
Game Developers Conference 2008
2
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

3
Virtual Times Square
4
Virtual Worlds Many Different Applications
Business Collaboration Spaces
Mirror Worlds
Social Games
Sci-Fi Shooters
Fantasy MMORPGs
Educational Worlds
5
The Multiverse Platform

• 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.

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The Multiverse Network
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The Multiverse World Architecture
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The Multiverse World Browser

• 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

9
Client UI Customization

• 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

10
Multiverse Servers

• 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 Amazons
  EC2
• Plug-ins communicate via publish/subscribe
  messaging system
• Next Release
• Instancing (dynamic, distributed, and shared)

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Multiverse Server Infrastructure Plug-Ins

• 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

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MARS Server Plug-Ins

• 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

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Multiverse Tools Overview

• 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

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Multiverse Tools Model Viewer

• View models converted to Multiverse format Bones
• Sockets
• Animations
• Submeshes
• Lighting conditions
• Ambient, diffuse, specular light color
• Light Direction

15
Multiverse Tools Terrain Generator

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

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Multiverse Tools World Editor

• 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

17
Tools Coming Up

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

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Tools Coming Up
Toolbox can preview entire world
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Conclusion

• 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

What world will you build?