Engine for 3d chat environment

[marcolorusso]

Hi all,

I would like to create a 3d chat environent like ActiveWorlds, SecondLife, There. Smaller and simpler, but that style.
I tried with VRML and something like that, but I didn't like it. Maybe the best solution would be using a game engine?
In particular, I am looking for an all in one engine, not just a 3D engine. Of course, it should support multiplayer. I know c/c++ e java, but I never built a game, nor a 3d environemnt. I have a budget of around 1000$.
What do you suggest?

Thanks,
Marco

[monjardin]

C4 (http://www.c4engine.com/) and Torque (http://www.garagegames.com/) are both $100, and I've seen them suggested for similar request. Nebula Device 2 (http://nebuladevice.cubik.org/) is free engine that is also suggested fairly often.

[monjardin]

You may also want to check out Yaf3D (http://yag2002.sourceforge.net/about.htm) since they are developing a Virtual Reality Chat (VRC) application in parallel with their game framework. If open source meets your needs, then you may want to just join up instead of starting out on your own.

[Methulah]

Try NeL, it is the engine the team that developed Sage of Ryzom used and then released under the GPL. It has a pretty good set of toolls and is apparently quite easy to develop for, and it is geared towards massive universe creation.

[quark]

Online chat room (http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=10784)

... using Irrlicht 3D engine under zlib/libpng license. It is a free engine where you can modify the source code as you wish. You don't have to give your modifications back to the community. That's what GPL requires.

[marcolorusso]

What about 3D Game Studio, or new platforms dedicated to MMPORGS, like Kaneva and Multiverse?

[Jufa]

Kaneva = Selling your soul :)

[Anlino]

Torque would be my suggestion. Similar stuff have already been made with it.

[Scramasax]

The two I would consider is:

3D Game Studio is good except for is lack of skinned mesh support for Max and Maya. Closed source, but a good .dll system. (900$)

Torque is a good choice, but can be a little cryptic sometimes. It wants to be an fps unless you use some of the other packs. Open source and a great price.

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[marcolorusso]

Thank you all for your answers.

Right now, I narrowed the choice to two alternatives:

1- A game engine, in particular Torque, or Game Studio

2- A collection of libraries, like Irrlicht for 3D, RakNet for multiplayer, QT for GUI, and other libraries for sound and other stuff.

The first alternative should be easier, the second would allow me to completely customize my software, and to improve more my knowledge of Game Programming. I think.

I am moving toward the second alternative. Am I wrong?

Marco