MV3D 0.80 Released!
We are pleased to announce the release of MV3D 0.80! The highlights of this version are a revamped toolchain which should enable a better workflow for building new content. Some of the improvements include tabbed tools instead of docked windows, a property grid for editing, and support for 3rd party asset types. Also in this version is the first example gameplay system– the stats system. To support it is a new component system that loads objects from an xml template and attaches components such as the new stats system. Finally, many improvements to the low level server code were made including initial support for asynchronous database connections, and a new JSON based protocol which can be used instead of PB to support clients written in languages other than Python.
Contributors to this release include:
- Mike Handverger
- Judd Cohen
- johne5
- Mythros
MV3D is an open source multiplayer game and virtual world framework written in Python. It encompasses a scalable server with dynamic load balancing, a robust set of content creation tools, and an extensible 3D client application. MV3D provides the foundation to build anything from 3D chat rooms to full MMORPGs with the goal of letting you concentrate on creating a unique virtual world instead of the infrastructure to support it.
The next release will be 0.85 and will focus on tools, usability, and example gameplay.
For more information on MV3D and this or future releases, please visit the website. The full release notes for version 0.80 are available online. For further inquiries, feel free to stop by our IRC channel on irc.freenode.net #MV3D.
Retrospective
What went well?
- py2exe client and tool releases include support for both Panda3D and Ogre3D.
- Datastore load test showed excellent performance.
- Multiple projects are now using MV3D in various forms.
- Relaxed release process. Otherwise it would have been another 3 months! Time will tell if this is a “well” or “less well” though.
- Improved support for traditional static world MMOs.
What went less well?
- 18 Months is way too long in between releases.
- MV3D is still not very user friendly.
- Not many flashy features were added.