OpenPlay key to Apple's game plan
NetSprocket has been used by some developers to provide their games with multiplayer capabilities over the Internet and LANs; word emerged from WWDC last week that NetSprocket is being significantly augmented with open source code already in distribution called OpenPlay. This new marriage lays the groundwork for what's to come in Mac OS X, and opens up new possibilities for cross-platform game developers as well.
OpenPlay already has a storied history on the Macintosh, starting with its roots as a project called Über. Ostensibly designed from the start as a replacement for NetSprocket, Über was originally developed as a collaboration between Apple and game maker Bungie Software, which used the code to provide networking capabilities for their hit real-time strategy game, Myth II: Soulblighter.
Since then Apple has released the code to Über as open source, renaming it OpenPlay. Last week at WWDC it was revealed that OpenPlay would serve as the underpinnings of future game networking support in Mac OS. Developer Joe Gervais is the technical lead for OpenPlay, and he recently dropped MacGaming.com a line to help clarify what's happening.
Gervais indicates that NetSprocket has been ported to use OpenPlay.
"In Monday's Open-Source session at WWDC, we demonstrated NetSprocket running on top of OpenPlay. Work remains to be done before it is ready for full release, but the bottom line is that NetSprocket is not only alive, but better than ever," said Gervais. "By being ported to use OpenPlay as its underlying transport API, NetSprocket is gaining cross-platform usability while OpenPlay gains a higher-level API sitting above it. OpenPlay remains a separate API for those who wish to continue using it directly."
Freeverse Software president Ian Lynch Smith explains that Thompson worked on Freeverse's Classic Cribbage game and HMS Freeverse, the company's own online gaming service. Thompson was invited by Apple to WWDC last week, to demo both the game and the server working with OpenPlay and NetSprocket on a network Mac and PC running TCP/IP. "We've been working directly with Apple for a while now to move NetSprocket on top of OpenPlay," said Smith. "This means NetSprocket will be -- actually is, in our testing stage -- cross platform, and will be OS X native well before OS X ships."
Gervais says that the path is clear for both technologies in OS X. "The development track for both OpenPlay and NetSprocket includes native OS X support. NetSprocket is alive and, along with OpenPlay, has a bright future ahead of it. Many developers are relying on the new NetSprocket for their upcoming development, and we aim to not only meet their needs, but exceed them where we can."
Apple open-source project manager Ron Dumont gives a timetable for OpenPlay and NetSprocket's further development, as well. "Around the time of the Mac OS X Public Beta, both OpenPlay and NetSprocket should be ported to run on Mac OS X (in addition to Classic Mac OS, Windows and Linux)."
Open-source code can sometimes connote a lack of quality or a lack of corporate commitment to the technology. Nothing is farther from the truth, says Dumont. Dumont recently voiced his opinion on the issue in a recent posting to Apple's mac-games-dev mailing list.
"We do not use open source as a dumping ground for dead software. Very much to the contrary. Open-source software is viewed as the means for Apple to partner with the developer community to maintain and evolve the software," wrote Dumont. "This gives people the opportunity to adapt the software to their needs, fix critical bugs, improve performance and extend functionality. Through this process, the software becomes more attractive to a number of developers, and its usage proliferates."
OpenPlay tech lead Gervais heartily agrees. "We're serious. Apple is serious. OpenPlay and NetSprocket are serious. The Open Source efforts at Apple are not dying grounds for unwanted technology (Darwin core OS, anyone?), rather an exciting opportunity for developers internal and external to Apple alike, allowing us to work together and improve/extend technologies."
Gervais encourages developers interested in contributing their own expertise to join the team. "The Open Source effort at Apple is always looking for volunteers of course, since advances don't occur on their own. Those interested are encouraged to visit http://www.publicsource.apple.com for more information on current Open Source projects, related mailing lists, etc."
Apple's Dumont suggests that Apple is finally providing game developers with a compelling game networking technology, and encourages them to help make it even better. "With the combination of high-level APIs in NetSprocket, and low-level APIs in OpenPlay, this is a powerful solution for cross-platform game networking. We welcome developers to participate in the OpenPlay / NetSprocket open-source development effort, and to contribute functionality that you feel will benefit games developers."