This document proposes a solution for expeditiously creating multiplayer game levels in virtual worlds like Second Life. It describes a system that allows levels to be built by reusing existing virtual objects and alternating which level is constructed in a single shared game space. The system was tested by recreating levels from the FEUP Adventure game to help integrate newcomer students. The proposed solution streamlines the level creation process and makes efficient use of available virtual space. Future work could improve the level definition tools and add support for managing game sessions and teams.

1. Expeditious Creation of
Multiplayer Games for Second
Life and
OpenSimulator Virtual Worlds

2. David Mendes
Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do
Porto, david.mendes@fe.up.pt
António Coelho
INESC Porto
DEI - Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
acoelho@fe.up.pt
Armando Sousa
INESC Porto
DEEC - Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto
asousa@fe.up.pt

3. Outline
• Scope
• Solution
• Results
• Conclusions
• Future Work
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4. Scope
Group Dynamics
– Creation of new work groups
– Integration of newcomer students
Digital Games
FEUP Adventure
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5. FEUP Adventure
“Development of collaborative
activities, in a virtual
platform, for newcomer
students.”
• Virtual levels in Second Life
• The levels are based in physics, moving
objects and orienting the avatar of the
player's character
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6. Problems
Digital Game
– Simple mechanics
– Interaction between players and game
elements
Virtual Space
– Limited extension
– Use available space
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7. Objectives
Expeditious Modelling
– Streamline the levels creation process
– Reuse available space
Create Serious Game Levels
– Group Dynamics
– Model FEUP Adventure’s levels
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8. FEUP Adventure
Using the virtual Space: different floors
– Each game level in its own space
– Objects are permanent
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9. Solution
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10. Using the Virtual Space
Approach: Single virtual area
– One game room only
– Levels are built alternately
– Game elements are:
Built
Deleted Used
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11. Levels Construction
Objects are previously created
Simple mechanics
– Ramps
– Blocks
– Spheres
– Platforms
– Walls
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12. Construction Seed
Initial Object
– All virtual objects are in its
inventory
Interaction with supervisor
Constructing/Deleting levels
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13. Game Control and Identification
Game Control Object
– Start game
– Controlling game information
Identification Object
– Identification of the players and teams
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14. Levels Construction
Construction
Object
llRezObject Identification
Objects
Level Objects Players and
teams
Scores
Time and
duration
Level Game Game Game Information
Definition Information Control
Object
External Files Virtual Objects
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15. Architecture
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16. Levels Definition
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17. Game Information
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18. Results
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19. Conclusions
Study Case: FEUP Adventure
– Levels recreation
– Reusing available virtual space
– Easy definition and edition of levels
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20. Future Work
Levels definition process
– Virtual objects management
– 3D Viewer
• New game levels
• Teams and game sessions management
– Scheduling
– Rankings
• Another contexts
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