Program your own 3D Game

A PC Buyer's Guide Special Report
The makers of the first full-fledged game development languages, STOS  and AMOS are back with a new tool, and this time they've added a full range of 3D capabilities to the mix. It's due to be released this month as shareware. Details at http://www.clickteam.com/web/jama/jama.htm. (By the way, if you a "real" programmer, you may be interested in the fact that the company has generously released the source code to the original AMOS and STOS languages for free download.)

You might also want to check out Klik & Play, another $10 shareware title from Clickteam that allows you to create multi-level games for up to four players and save and publish standalone games in 16 or 32 bits Windows, or on the Mac.

Another inexpensive 3D games development tool is 3drad. This Windows-based tool can be downloaded now and used freely for 15 days. Paying the US$49 registration fee enables the ability to compile and save stand-alone 3D games. 3DRad includes all the necessary editors and tools to create Full configurable polygonal animated vehicles and weapons, Transparent/translucent textures, even 3D sound. The program features a very user-friendly object oriented WYSIWYG interface and step-by-step tutorials. Details at www.3drad.com.

And then there's the DIV Games Studio. We're just beginning to explore this powerful tool. Check out the pages at http://www.divgames.com/ing/index.htm and http://www.hammert.com/ing/index.htm to get started.

Genesis 3D is a collection of graphics tools freely available under an open-source license. The Genesis 3D copyright is held by software developer Wild Tangent, but the company has not been involved in distributing or maintaining the software since shifting it to an open-source license in 2000. You'll find it, and many other game engines, at www.game-developer.com.

For Mac OS X, there's the ColdStone Game Engine, a US$49 game development system from Ambrosia Software  and Beenox Studio. Available in a free, limited-time trial version, this software produces "overhead view" games similar to those popularized by Sierra's King's Quest series of role playing adventures. For an example of a fantasy-style game created using Coldstone, check out Pillars of Garendall.

For Further Reading:

• 3D Tools and Info: www.3dlinks.com

Game Developer's Links:

• The 3D Engines List
• www.game-developer.com
• madmonkey.net - Game creation engines
• Slashdot: Where are the "Construction Set" games?