Wild Tangent
By Matthew Palmer
There are many potentially addictive games at Wild Tangent's web
site,
but behind the fun is a serious piece of technology. Wild Tangent
is
not a gaming site (which is good because they don't have all that
many
games), but instead is a showcase of what their software can do. The
company sells a delivery system for 3-D graphics, including games,
visualizations for music, screensavers, and more. The applets also
utilize sound, motion, and interactivity. What makes Wild Tangent's
products different is their advanced compression technology, so the
typically large files involved in online games can be downloaded
quickly. The company licenses its software to other web sites who
want
to employ it. Or, they will custom build an online solution.
From the examples I saw, the method worked. The games were playable
in
about thirty seconds, but I do have a T1 connection. The graphics
were
average for online games, and the playability was good. Most games
were
against the computer, though some could be played with other people.
The visualizations hooked up to a digital music player, like Winamp,
and
synchronized movement (such as a virtual dancer) to the music. A
variety of screensavers were also shown. These other examples show
that
the Wild Tangent technology could be extended beyond gaming, though
online games seem to be the most explored use so far.
The examples shown at the site are not much more advanced than at
other
sites. Some do resemble games that you would buy and then could network
online with other players. Right now, that is still one of the best
models for online gaming. Players can get a full game thanks to the
CD-ROM delivery system and can still connect online to battle other
people. However, there are still several advantages to online delivery
of programs. It is often free, and is easier. Users don't have to
go
to the store and pay for a game to install on their computer. The
computer industry seems to be going in that direction, with Microsoft
saying soon users will pay for and download their software. It is
still
an annoyance for people with slow connections or old computers, though.
Eventually, though, the immediacy, versatility, and connectedness
of
online gaming will prove to be very attractive to gamers. Once a
business model is worked out so they can pay for their games, the
industry might take off. Wild Tangent is one part of that new business
model. They sell the type of technology that may one day revolutionize
delivery of online games.