Under the Hood

Corey Bridges & Rafhael Cedeno

Game Developers Conference 2008

 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

The Multiverse Network, Inc -- Confidential Page

 Virtual Worlds: Many Different Applications

Business Collaboration Spaces Mirror Worlds Social Games

Sci-Fi Shooters Fantasy MMORPGs Educational Worlds

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 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.

The Multiverse Network, Inc -- Confidential Page

 The Multiverse Network

The Multiverse Network, Inc -- Confidential Page

 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
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 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

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 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 Amazon’s 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

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 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
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 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?

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