Networked Virtual Environments: Design and Implementation (ACM Press) [Hardcover]

This book doesn't take you through the process of building a net-VE. Instead, it focuses on the architecture and standards that come into play. The writing is a bit on the dry side, methodically presenting the technical issues; however, the text works well for systematically building knowledge of this complex topic.

Authors Sandeep Singhal and Michael Zyda introduce the concept of net-Ves in general, explaining what a net-VE is and all of the technical hurdles programmers must clear. They also delve into the relevant communication standards and topologies. The book looks at recent developments and offers some basic communication techniques in Java, C++, C via TCP/IP, UDP/IP and multicasting.

There is a lot of material here and you'll likely need more to fully implement a net-VE. However, this is an excellent source of technical background for game developers, graphics programmers and forward-looking Web site designers. --Stephen W. Plain, Amazon.com

Topics covered: prerequisites of a net-VE, relevant network architectures, common network protocols, resource management and optimisation, VRML and Internet gaming.

Networked virtual environments (net-VEs) offer a three-dimensional, virtual "space" in which users around the world can interact in real-time. Net-VE applications--already in use by the military and aerospace and entertainment industries--are used to enhance engineering design, scientific research, and electronic commerce. This emerging, rapidly proliferating field is propelled by globalization and increasingly sophisticated networking capabilities.

Written by two of the field's leading pioneers, this book represents seminal work on networked virtual environments. Offering a comprehensive examination of net-VEs, the text covers the underlying technologies and provides a step-by-step roadmap for designing and building interactive 3D virtual environments. In particular, the authors focus on strategies for overcoming limitations that can impede real-time interactive system development and describe numerous practical techniques for creating successful, real-world net-VE applications.

You will find in-depth coverage of important topics, such as:

• Basic challenges in net-VE design
• Relevant networking principles and Internet communication protocols
• How to organize the communications infrastructure
• How to manage dynamic shared states
• System design for real-time, multiuser interaction
• How to ensure real-time response and scalability by managing limited bandwidth and computational resources
• Emerging techniques and standards for deploying net-VEs over the Internet

Moving beyond the state of the art, Networked Virtual Environments points to future developments that will make net-VEs a pervasive form of professional and personal telecommunications. Authoritative, technically detailed, and comprehensive, this book will help you understand and participate in this exciting field.