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Multiuser Pack
Overview: Virtools Multiuser Pack
 Provide
a Shared Experience with Multiuser Applications
Today, companies are increasingly focused on developing multiuser
applications that bring people together for work or play. At work,
multiuser applications can improve efficiency by creating collaborative
workspaces that provide a forum for easier exchange between local
and remote team members. Simulations can be used to train workers
in costly or potentially hazardous environments. Multiuser applications
also let game players pit their wits against human opponents, a
challenge that many find more exciting and satisfying than playing
against the computer. Yet development for multiuser applications
demands specialized programming skills, so companies need an effective
means of keeping projects easy to manage while maintaining minimum
development time and costs.
The Virtools™ Multiuser Pack helps developers create multiuser applications
based on a high performance networking engine, accessed through
Virtools renowned behavior building blocks. Developers can quickly
and easily create both persistent and ad-hoc multiuser applications
simultaneously for several platforms (PC, and coming soon, Mac and
Xbox). Once again, Virtools provides rapid access to sophisticated
technology, allowing developers to concentrate on providing compelling
shared-experience 3D applications with game-like interactivity.
Stop worrying about arcane networking protocols and the complexity
of distributed objects, and concentrate instead on bringing people
together with immersive applications thanks to the Virtools Multiuser
Pack!
Create Multiuser Applications the Virtools
Way
Multiuser applications are fast and easy to build with the Virtools
Multiuser Pack. Powerful technology is once again made simple through
Virtools' easy-to-use building blocks. Virtools has already solved
many of the annoying problems that make multiuser applications such
a challenge to develop, leaving developers free to concentrate on
creating interactive multiuser 3D content instead of worrying about
network protocols and the underlying infrastructure.
Virtools provides for two different types of server (Virtools Server or Peer Server) in the Virtools Multiuser Pack, according
to the type of multiuser application. The building block interface
to the underlying technologies is the same (over 95% of the BBs
are independent of the server type), so developers can seamlessly
switch from one type of project to another.
Advanced Technology for Demanding Applications
Without an efficient networking architecture, multiuser applications
can fail under heavy traffic loads. Virtools Multiuser solutions
keep multiuser applications running fast and stable while maintaining
Virtools' unique ease of implementation. Developers can create applications
using:
Fast UDP and guaranteed TCP connections
Advanced Session and User management
Distributed Objects for efficient bandwidth use
Sophisticated dead reckoning algorithm support
Virtools Server Multiuser
Module
For the most demanding applications, Virtools offers a module that
installs on top of the Virtools Server to enable advanced,
scalable applications. The VBS module can accept large numbers of
users and is perfect for online collaboration or gaming. Applications
built with the VBS module can access other server modules to take
advantage of such features as behavioral streaming and database
interaction. End-users participate in multiuser applications using
the freely available Virtools Web Player (Mac and PC), or with a
custom player integrating Virtools Multiuser client components (available
for Mac and PC, Xbox in development).
Uses a dedicated server, ideal for persistent content
Fully scaleable for large numbers of users
Compatible with the Virtools Web Player (Mac, PC)
Integrates behavioral streaming and database access
Peer Server
For ad-hoc applications in which a dedicated server is impractical
or unnecessary, Virtools offers a Peer Server solution. The Peer
Server solution allows an end-user (client) to host a Peer Server
over a standard TCP/IP network. Clients have the choice of looking
for a server on a Local Area Network (LAN), or joining a server
over the Internet if the IP address of the Peer Server is known.
Ad-hoc server, requires no dedicated infrastructure
Supports up to 32 concurrent users
Ideal for simple LAN applications and multiplayer games
Technical Requirements
Virtools Dev
Virtools Server (for
the VBS Multiuser Module)
Features Overview
For persistent and ad-hoc
applications
Reliable TCP and fast UDP
protocols available
Distributed objects with dead
reckoning capabilities
Compatible with PC and Mac (Xbox in development)
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