worldscom:worldsplayer [Worlio Wiki]

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{{tag>3d_software virtual_world chat}}
====== WorldsPlayer ======
<WRAP right box 200>
{{ worldscom:ultimate3dchat.png?200 }}
<WRAP group><WRAP half column>**Developed by**</WRAP><WRAP half column>[[worldscom:worlds_inc|Worlds Inc]]</WRAP></WRAP>
<WRAP group><WRAP half column>**Released**</WRAP><WRAP half column>1998</WRAP></WRAP>
<WRAP group><WRAP half column>**Platforms**</WRAP><WRAP half column>Windows 9x, Windows NT</WRAP></WRAP>
<WRAP group><WRAP half column>**Superseded**</WRAP><WRAP half column>[[worldscom:worlds_chat_gold|Worlds Chat Gold]]</WRAP></WRAP>
</WRAP>
WorldsPlayer (known internally as "Gamma") was the latest iteration of Worlds Chat. It was launched in 1998 and online until late 2024. It has been succeeded by a number of fan revival services.

===== Development =====
After the success of [[worldscom:worlds_chat_gold|Worlds Chat Gold]], Worlds, Inc was looking to improve its existing software by introducing better 3D support and avatars. This project would be codenamed Gamma, incorporating Java into its existing codebase for resource management. Midway through development in 1997, the company was acquired by [[people:thom|Thom Kidrin]], who shifted the focus into corporate advertising. The original name for WorldsPlayer was "Worlds Chat Platinum".

===== Shaper =====
Shaper is the name of the built-in editor and world-builder available within WorldsPlayer. It retailed for $39[(http://web.archive.org/web/20201217032850/http://www.worlds.net/3dcd/shapersignup.html)], including additional perks and a years worth of the VIP subscription.

In 1999, it was discovered that Shaper could be obtained for free from within the WorldsPlayer client by adding an option inside one of its configuration files, allowing user-built worlds and encouraging the developers to allow access to these worlds. Prior to this, worlds built by those who purchased Shaper would be uploaded to the official servers as a downloadable world.

===== Worlds In Asia =====
{{ :worldscom:worldsinasia1.jpg?200|Thom Kidrin and the eNewMedia team at the Worlds In Asia launch.}}
[[worldscom:worlds_in_asia|Worlds In Asia]] was a partnership between [[worldscom:worlds_inc|Worlds Inc]] and eNewMedia to create and release the WorldsPlayer service in Asia. It was released on September 19th, 2000 at the Renaissance Harbour View Hotel in Hong Kong. It launched with four Asian-themed Worlds included: AsianCity, AsianHub, JapaneseGarden, and Mountain.

===== Pop Culture =====
A major role in the popularity of WorldsPlayer was the many partnerships with bands and media stars, often resulting in their own worlds and services within the platform. Famous among these is [[wp>David Bowie]]'s [[wp>BowieNet#BowieWorld|BowieWorld]] offered through the [[wp>BowieNet]] service[(https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35279234)], HansonWorld, Aerosmith World, WWF New York, and Animal House.

==== Anamanaguchi ====
{{ youtube>3ASI5W49pTw?small}}
Despite the era of Worlds partnerships ending, popular chip-pop band [[wp>Anamanaguchi]] continued the trend by announcing their 2012 Tour with a video utilizing WorldsPlayer. The video featured a world made by notendo, showcasing a modified version of Jimbly's Beach with media related to Anamanaguchi, its members, and their upcoming tour.

The world is considered lost media.

===== Remergence =====
Current public releases of the WorldsPlayer client run using a combination of the RenderWare and [[worldscom:accomplish|Accomplish]] engine. In 2007, Worlds Inc was working on advancing the software by incorporating Granny 3D, an animation engine. Builds were made available and shared to business partners to motivate interest in the upgrade.

{{ :worldscom:worlds_remergence.png?250|A screenshot from the Remergence flash video.}}
During these developments, Worlds, Inc would update their site in anticipation for the release, opting to show a flash-driven promotional animation that read the text "It's a whole new Worlds" followed by "Remergence". Worlds, Inc would additionally partner with [[wp>Pearson_plc|Pearson plc]] during the development[(http://web.archive.org/web/20090430164404/http://www.virtualworldsnews.com/2009/04/worldscom-partners-with-pearson-for-educational-worlds.html)].
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