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Rocket Pack Reveals Toolkit For Plugin-Free Browser Game Dev
by Simon Parkin [Console/PC, Programming]
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September 2, 2010
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Finnish social game developer Rocket Pack (Cats Vs. Dogs) has created a new development platform specifically designed for creating persistent browser games that don't require plugins.
The company describes its Rocket Engine as a "fully integrated toolkit for plugin-free browser game development." The company will bundle a components library and editing tools with the kit, which it also says includes live previews and support for multiple users, and will launch in Q4 2010.
Rocket Engine supports development for major browsers and social gaming platforms, including the iPhone, iPad and Android devices.
It's described as a component-based toolkit, aimed to enable game developers to prototype quickly and develop their online games. It includes an online editor, which the company hopes will ease on-the-go editing, as it doesn't require coding.
"Our [studio] was used to professional tools such as the Unreal Engine or Unity3D," said Jiri Kupiainen, one of the founders of Rocket Pack. "But nothing existed for professional plugin-free browser game development, so we built it ourselves."
The company is developing its own social MMO called Cats vs. Dogs, which will be released later this year, and recently secured funding from the Nordic Game organization.
The development platform is integrated with the company's Rocket Network, which provides cloud services for MMO development including identity handling, virtual currencies and full tracking and reporting for custom metrics.
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It actually looks pretty neat -- rather close to what I've been looking for for some projects I've had in mind.
But speaking of Unreal and Unity, both those products have free/low-cost starter versions.
Will Rocket Engine?
Bart: I can't give you any promises yet, but a free version is highly likely. More on that later...
Good luck in advance!
I'm looking forward to the next release of information. Meantime, best of luck!