3D Printing

* See also Types_of_assets
* See also Game_Editing_Tools
==An Interesting Technology which Might be Incorporated into the MMORPG Project==
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3D-Printing Integrated Into The MMORPG Game :
'3D' Printing (REAL PLAYER USE) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing of small 3 Dimensional Objects is a new and developing technology, which no doubt will be used for many things in the future. Right now, the '3D' Printing Machines and Processes are still far too slow and problem-ridden for use in an automatic commercial applications ( like being there in your Big-box store or Supermarket or Gamestore ). They are also now costly to operate/maintain, but that will come down/change as suppliers multiply with the market and they become more widespread. In the future, the machines will improve significantly and become a resource for computer games. This complex MMORPG game type ( its advanced features ) are not likely to happen too soon, so that gives a chance for the '3D' Printing to become more prevalent and improved, and cheaper. ( The Technology is really still in its infancy. )
* 'Printable' Puzzle pieces that you print out, accumulate and manually manipulate to solve in-game puzzles. '3D' pieces are much easier to 'juggle' in your own hand.
* The usual Schwag game figures and objects which some people like to collect ( COLLECT THEM ALL !!! )
A Feature like this would Not be Required for play, but serve as an extension.
Pieces of furniture for a diorama of you personal in-game house/shop/office ( plus floors, walls, etc ... ) Figures of you character in amusing poses, etc ... Trophies from various missions ( adaptable for charm bracelets, I suppose. )
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Bioshock Rapture MMORPG as a "Game of the Future" - Idea of Incorporating '3D' Printing :
No doubt there will be games with 'Swag' created using 3D-Printing done by the Players on the (by that time) common '3D' home printer or the more deluxe models at the Supermarket/Mall. 'Rewards' for in-game Achievements printed as exclusives ( one copy made by the printer machine with software to prevent the data being copied and used repeatedly/transferred unauthorized on the internet ). ( Interesting idea is customization - at minimum having the players name etc ... appended onto the basic design ).
Anyway, a 'gimmick' of the MMORPG with all its Player Created Assets would be free generation of these objects by the Players. Given 5 years to create this MMORPG ( using a greatly more competent development staff for the much more monumental game/tool Project ) -- that would be the timeframe I would predict you will be seeing '3D' Printing/Printers becoming a hot consumer item. By that time, the machines will be cheaper, more capable, more precise and much faster, and the coloring/finishing which now is often quite pastel-ish/grainy will significantly improve.
SO get ready for Brute Splicers ( in a Pose you choose - an App for 'posing' the Model) and Security-bot Christmas ornaments, and a recreation of your neat Art Deco NPC 'Team Base' on your display shelf in '3D' ( '3D' computer Screen Saver ... I think I mentioned that idea elsewhere ). I can think of all kinds of weird recreations as Achievement Awards and mementos - a whole universe of such game related goodies. 4 Big Daddies sitting around a Card Table playing Poker .... Hmmmm.
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Note - '3D' printing will be much more widespread and common in the coming decade, and I would have any/all Assets in the game be 'D-Printable' ( You saw that Term HERE first !!!!!! ) for any Player that wishes to ( A "posing" program to generate the required '3D' Printer directives for all in-game Objects. AND various Players can be counted upon to create/improve these Tools - I have no doubt of THAT ).
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SO Add Another Tool/Template - In-game Object '3D' Printing Data
For these '3D' Printable Object Assets, more data is required than just the games rendering data. There also is additional '3D Printing' Data for the Object, which is the scripting needed to run the '3D' process - which is quite a bit more, as it has to do with real structural properties and idiosyncrasies of the machine and materials used. Ex- The Object has to be supported/propped-up with printed supports/tabs/rods WHILE it is being printed - That is required in the current '3D' print machine process. People have been creating better programs to help do this, and they are getting more effective. 
Of course there will have to be Legal Disclaimers about NOT BEING RESPONSIBLE for the output of the various '3D Printing' Machines not for the proper maintenance being done on them to make them work effectively/correctly.
Coloring the '3D Printed' objects right now is a big problem, but no doubt they will have more solutions found for it as the technology's use increases ( much like color printers superseded B & W printing ).
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Tools TO Convert Any In-game MMORPG Object Into A 3D Printed Object
Into Standard 3D Printing Directives ...
But there are still various additional aspects about how it needs to be done (processed) on the machine properly.
More Player Creative Add-on ( not just game Assets, but Development Tools ).
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Everything in your in-game Residence might be printable. Assemblies of Objects might be printed as a group. Some objects are 'positionable' ( ie- a lamp with a bendable neck ).
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Way of The Future ... Way of The Future ... Way of The Future ...
By the time a MMORPG is made like the one I've described, they may have figured out how to animate ( have programmed movements ) within them. With small Controllers beyond the 'Arduino' and 'Rassberry Pi', there will be all kinds of things possible.
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