Q expands into virtual worlds

Q, the plug-in based game engine developed by London-based Qube Software, has scored its first virtual world client.

Near London is a new world developed by fellow Londoners Near, which accurately models central London and allows real-world retailers to expand their online presence. The firm is using Q because traditional virtual worlds don’t allow the sort of visual fidelity that a game engine can provide, leading them to claim that Near London’s representation of central London has the ‘highest degree of accuracy to date’.

In addition, the extensible nature of the Q engine means that it can interface with any server backend, effectively functioning as a universal client and allowing users to access different virtual worlds with just a single download.

“I am excited about Near because it gives game developers new outlets and business models for their skills without limiting them technologically,” said Qube CEO Servan Keondjian.

"Q opens up the possibility of users changing channel to other online games built with Q or even playing them within the virtual world environment itself."

Near founder Alex Wrottesley added: “The way Q works is crucial to Near. Near presents cities as virtual gateways – just as a real city street is a gateway to shops and restaurants and other experiences. So if a retailer wants a visitor to Near London to be able to click on their shop door and be transported effortlessly to their own virtual world or custom game environment, with Q that becomes simple. Near’s cities will be able to host the most extensible content ever seen in a virtual world.”