DiscreetTM presents gmaxTM: The game product can be used both as a licensed game development platform and as a free consumer editor. gmax is based on the flexible and creative tools contained in 3ds max, the world’s best-selling 3D animation platform. Delivery for both developers and consumers of the software is planned for late summer 2001.
Game manufacturers can reduce the development cycles of games by using gmax. For players, the life cycle of a game is extended: gmax “game packs” allow them to create and customise content, levels and characters and share them online via gmax game communities.
“gmax improves the production pipeline and allows game makers to turn their internal tools into valuable products that make the gaming experience more engaging,” said Paul Lypaczweski, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Discreet. “We’ve already seen how additional customisation of games like QuakeTM and Half-LifeTM has increased popularity. Now game developers in any genre can improve their workflow with the help of gmax. Players can now take the creation of their own levels and game content into their own hands.”
Discreet will present its own prototype game pack with hadesTM, the editor for the popular game Quake III: ARENA. hades, an in-house development by Discreet, demonstrates the optimised workflow and flexibility of gmax. When implementing gmax, the 3ds max architecture secures the design process. hades is delivered to gmax licensees in source-code format: a true-to-life example of how gmax can be implemented in any game.
“Many game developers working with 3ds max have asked us to show level design possibilities. With hades, we provide proof that gmax users can put their own art, level design and object property definition tools into an environment while utilising the technological strengths of
3ds max. hades includes a new basic brush element and other tools for Quake that editors like QERadient and WorldCraftTM do not offer. This includes the ability to export brushes and polygonal data simultaneously,” said Paul Perreault, gmax product manager.
Game developers can create gmax “Game Packs” with their own customised user interface, MaxScript Utilities, content, installation routine and documentation for a specific video game: Thus, gmax editing tools are closely linked to and integrated into the corresponding game engine. The fact that game developers can create and distribute gmax game packs means that users have the same development tools at their disposal. Access to customised game experiences and other individual modifications is therefore possible.
“gmax is ideally suited for the online PC environment,” says Lance Alameda, marketing manager in the games and animation industry. “Not only is this the first time a product has been designed to benefit the next generation of game developers and consumers. For the first time, a product has sparked a global online community where players can share their own characters, levels and environments.”
In other news about gmax, Discreet announced today that it has entered into a sponsorship agreement with id SoftwareTM to fund a new competition at this year’s QuakeCon called the “gmax speed mapping challenge”. More information can be found at http://www.quakecon.org.
