http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=a2sZzM0kMSc
We've mentioned The Blu before. Artist collaborate online to create an interactive ocean environment. The project now has full support for Blender.
Hugh McGinley writes:
Just a quick update, we now accept .blend files for theBlu! If you want to create an asset for theBlu, you can submit that asset as a .blend file or .fbx file. Just go to maker.theblu.com to choose and/or submit your asset. Pretty cool stuff!
Coming VERY soon: downloadable .blend file templates, Blender asset creation walkthroughs, and Blender video tutorials!
Thanks again to the Blender community for being so awesome! We've gotten some great feedback from everyone and we're looking forward to seeing what the Blender community can create for theBlu.
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11 Comments
Seems that they like us :)
ehh.. extreme environmentalists piss me off.
They hack me off too, but these people don't seem like extreme greenies to me.
What does that have to do with this project?
I agree with @BlenderNation:disqus
Peter French from Canada, is that a joke?
So basically you're going to have people doing this in the blue with just a click of a mouse... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_DrW067JmI
I've done my request:
"miss some u-boats, radioactive waste, trash of any kind, without death, life is boring"
waiting my invitation impatiently
Not sure why the negativity here. It's a virtual ocean simulation in which people can attach some of their work to the project. I think it's kind of a neat idea. The video makes it feel like a social network game (Farmville?) but hey .. the idea is pretty slick and that's neat that Blender users can put their models to work here.
Though honestly I wonder .. what's the point other than another distraction? It looks beautiful, but otherwise ... what makes it that fantastic? It looks like something people would play for a short time and then delete it. Not much to engage.
But hey .. more power to them.
Thanks for the post, Bart! And thanks to everyone for your comments. We're really excited to be able to have the Blender submission process more fluid and streamlined and as I said, cannot wait to obtain more assets for theBlu from Blender users such as yourselves.
@ FillmoreBrown - We care about the environment, yes. Once implemented, a percentage of the proceeds for the project will go to ocean specific organizations to help save the species and habitats that are left in our oceans. We do have other goals for the project as well though, such as sharing the ocean on the web. Not many people have the opportunity to travel to the ocean to experience all the wonders and amazement that it has to offer. We'd like to give them that opportunity to explore the vast environments, learn about the various seabed and swimming species in our waters and how they interact, collect thousands of species as they travel to different locations around the globe, and connect with friends, family members, and other users from around the world on their travels. If we can do all of this and help the environment at the same time, then we will be happy.
@ edddy - I've spoken with Peter French on many occasions. He is wonderful person and we are very fortunate to have had him contribute to our video for theBlu. No joke there ;) And your invitation will arrive soon, but please be patient as we've received a TON of beta requests, so it will take a bit of time for newer requests. Thanks for your interest though!
@ Alex - Hahahahahaha, we hope so. :)
@ Tadd Mener - That's correct! 3d artists, or "Makers" as we call them, from around the world have the opportunity to create assets for theBlu and see their work online. Not only does this provide for a global portfolio, but it also gives Makers the opportunity to make some money! Each asset that a Maker creates will be sold in the Store of theBlu, and a percentage of every sale goes to you, the creator of that asset. Finally, each Maker will be able to work with top-notch artists across the globe, such as Takahiko Akiyama (Final Fantasy), Richard Taylor (Tron), and Andy Jones (Avatar), to obtain feedback and suggestions from not only them, but every other Maker within theBlu. Think of it as a global game studio where anyone can join!
In theBlu, a User can explore the various habitats in the ocean, collect multiple species as they travel around the world, and connect with other Users in theBlu from all over the world. This is just some of the aspects that theBlu will offer, as this is just the tip of the iceberg in regards to what we want to do with the project. We're still in beta, so the more feedback and suggestions that we can get, the better. Please request an invite to our beta at http://theblu.com/beta/request/ and let us know what you think!
Thanks again to Bart and Blendernation for sharing this post! And thanks again to everyone who's commented and shown interest in theBlu. We hope to see you in theBlu soon!
Sincerely,
Hugh McGinley
Community Manager
theblu.com
I got to go to a sneak peak of this in LA. Yeah its still looks rough around the edges but thats beta for you. I can definitly see promise in it, and id rather play this than farmville any day. Im so glad you guys are adding blender support. Keep it up.