01 July 2008
Written by
Richard Leggett (
)
Published on July 1st, 2008 @ 09:00:08 am, using 113 words, 221 views
A huge challenge when developing web sites for mobile phones, either as a separate entity, or as a gracefully degraded version of the “desktop” version, is sniffing just what features the device has. This might include support for XHTML, JavaScript 1.5, Flash Lite (standalone or embedded in a page) and so on.
I just caught a post on the Flash Lite Google Group regarding a new site, handsetdetection.com, which provides a free API for sniffing over 7000 devices. The API is available through XML or JSON and the list of features the API documents is exhaustive, from screen size and streaming video support to HTTPS and SVG capability.
Find out more at the website.
05 June 2008
Written by
Richard Leggett (
)
Published on June 5th, 2008 @ 09:39:21 pm, using 207 words, 660 views
Unity 3D, a high-end game development tool for web, desktop and soon the iPhone has announced they are now an official middleware provider for Wii.
From the site:
Unity’s game engine allows developers to create, modify and iterate on Wii game functionality with the following features:
- Live Preview: The play button allows developers to instantly preview their game inside the authoring environment exactly as it currently exists, regardless of the development phase. Users can modify any object’s properties and see the results in real-time without pausing.
- Scriptable Controller: Simple, straightforward, fully-featured Wii Remote™ scripting class lets developers read data from the Wii Remote controller, Nunchuk™ controller, and Classic Controller™ effortlessly.
- Optimized Character Animation: Developers can create characters without special exports, imports, or modifications required. Files drop easily into Unity and the characters come to life with full animation on Wii hardware.
- Scriptable Shaders: Unity’s ShaderLab system has been expanded to leverage the full power of the Wii graphics chip. Developers can use one of the built-in shaders optimized for Wii or write their own. They can script and modify any shader on any object.
- Click to Publish: Developers can easily run their game on their Wii development kit, building it with one click.
Read the press release.
Written by
Richard Leggett (
)
Published on June 5th, 2008 @ 09:29:45 am, using 117 words, 1324 views
I just received a link to The Eco Zoo site and quite honestly this is a step above what we might normally expect from a web site. Using Papervision a custom 3D engine in a slick fashion, switching between 3D environments, the tree/world and the pop-up book specifically, the site explores some exotic creatures.
There’s a lot of attention to detail throughout, from the butterflies fluttering around the tree and the simulated cloth to the leaves at the top blowing away and the pop-up book pages which you can rotate around and discover the artist has even taken the time to draw the reverse of the characters in the scene.
Superb site, check it out here.
22 May 2008
Written by
Richard Leggett (
)
Published on May 22nd, 2008 @ 09:05:10 pm, using 119 words, 1347 views
I’ve just received an email from Nonoba with information on their new multi-user offering, which includes an AS2 and AS3 API, but what I find particularly interesting is that they also include free hosting and execution of your game logic.
The aim appears to be to lower the barrier to entry for anyone wishing to create a multi-user game. These can include turn-based, or real-time games. They currently have some demos up on the site, and these include Nonoba Racer, Fridge Magnets, Multiplayer Asteroids and DrawPad.
Finally they are holding a $20,000 USD competition, with a first prize of $15,000 for the best game built on the new API.
Sign up for the beta here.
More information on the APIs here.
16 May 2008
Written by
Richard Leggett (
)
Published on May 16th, 2008 @ 09:19:33 am, using 118 words, 664 views
It’s that time again 
The 3rd Adobe sponsored London Poker Tournament is now open for registration. The event is completely FREE and will take place on the 27th May at 7pm at the Loose Cannon Poker club in Cannon Street. Adobe are providing the beer and prizes as usual. This event is open only to those who use Adobe products professionally. Don’t worry if you’ve never played before as there are always lots of newbies and the dealers at your table will be giving you all 20 minutes of training if you need it. Go register at www.pokercoder.com and if you have any further questions, contact the organiser at sean@pokercoder.com.
Register at: www.pokercoder.com
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