Virtual Pool#Virtual Pool 4
{{short description|Series of video games developed by Celeris}}
{{About|the video game series|the first game in the series|Virtual Pool (video game)}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Virtual Pool
| image = Virtual Pool 4 cover.jpg
| caption = Cover art for Virtual Pool 4
| platforms = PC, Mac, PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Xbox, iOS, Android
| developer = Celeris
| publisher = Interplay Productions, Crave Entertainment, Global Star Software, Celeris
| genre =
| spinoffs =
}}
Virtual Pool is a 3D, first-person sports simulation video game series with computer simulations of cue sports which was developed by Celeris. The games in the series simulate pool, snooker and carom billiards. The Virtual Pool series focuses on accurate simulation and improving the player's ability to play the sport in real life. Virtual Pool releases are sold with a money back guarantee to improve a player's external game.
Overview
The main selling point of the Virtual Pool-series games is that they were designed and tested by programmers, physicists and professional players. According to the game box, its simulation was "guaranteed to improve your actual pool play or your money back".{{Cite book |title=Virtual Pool 3 |author=|year=2000 |location=Beverly Hills, CA |publisher=Interplay Entertainment |page=Box cover; Instruction Manual |no-pp=yes}}{{Cite magazine |author=|date=July 1995 |title=Bits & Bytes: The Enter*Active File |magazine=Billboard |page=66}} The series was endorsed by professional players Mike Sigel and Jeanette Lee and equipment manufacturers Viking Cues, Imperial International, Schön Custom Cues, Creative Innovations and Joss Cues.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-pool-3-review/1900-2660188/ |title=Virtual Pool 3 Review |work=GameSpot |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003125125/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-pool-3-review/1900-2660188/ |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=live}}
The games' graphics capabilities vary by platform to platform, but their environmental realism (such as a pool hall) is on par with the graphics in other contemporary rendered games (like first-person shooters). The games' use of first-person perspective, rather than using an overhead view, contributed to the series' success.{{Cite journal |last=Newman |first=Jeff |date=December 1995 |title=Bosses Bound and Gagged, Now Let the Games Begin |journal=Network Computing |volume=6 |issue=16 |page=32}}
The complexity of the games increased over time, from Virtual Pool{{'s}} four game types to Virtual Pool 4{{'s}} 18 pool games on championship and bar tables, snooker, English billiards, four carom games and four pub pool eight-ball games. Other improvements included more venues and computerized opponents, equipment-upgrade purchases, customizable tables, video tutorials, two career-play modes and a trick-shot library. Online capability includes pool rooms with multiple players and spectators, tournaments, ladders, a social network with player profiles, friends, statistics and shot uploads.
Series
{{Video game timeline
| 1995 = Virtual Pool
| 1996 = Virtual Snooker
| 1997 = Virtual Pool 2
| 1998 = Virtual Pool 64
| 1999 = Virtual Pool Hall
| 2000 = Virtual Pool 3
| 2005 = Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition
| 2010 = Virtual Pool Online HD
| 2012a = Virtual Pool Mobile
| 2012b = Virtual Pool 4
| 2014 = Virtual Pool 4: Multiplayer
}}
Celeris, creators of the Virtual Pool franchise, created their first title (FlixMix, a DOS jigsaw puzzle game) in 1993.{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/flixmix |title=FlixMix |publisher=MobyGames |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222050849/http://www.mobygames.com/game/flixmix |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |url-status=live}} After this release, Celeris published their first 3D game (Virtual Pool) in 1995. The game had four pool modes: straight pool, eight-ball, nine-ball and rotation pool.{{Cite book |title=CD-ROMs in Print 1998 |last=Desjardins |first=Dawn |year=1998 |publisher=Gale |location=Farmington Hills, MI |isbn= 0-7876-1059-3 |page=940}} With pool world champion Lou Butera, it guaranteed to improve the player's pool game (a guarantee which continued through the main-series Virtual Pool titles).{{Cite magazine |date=July 1995 |title=Bits & Bytes: The Enter*Active File |magazine=Billboard |page=66}}
The game was successful, and Virtual Pool 2 (with a wider range of pool games, including three-ball and bank pool) was produced in 1997. Virtual Pool 2, with improved graphics, was released exclusively for PC. Over 120 AI opponents and online multiplayer capability were introduced, with Mike Sigil joining Butera for this game.
The following year's Virtual Pool Hall for Windows contained graphics and game modes similar to Virtual Pool 2 and features which would be retained in Virtual Pool 3, including a snooker mode (adapted from Virtual Snooker) and the series' first carom billiards mode.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-pool-hall-review/1900-2545861/ |title=Virtual Pool Hall Review |work=GameSpot |date=January 18, 2000 |access-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215000710/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-pool-hall-review/1900-2545861/ |archive-date=December 15, 2017 |url-status=live}} The game contained instructional videos similar to VP2{{'s}}, performed by world champion Mike Sigel.{{cite web |url= http://uk.ign.com/articles/2000/02/02/virtual-pool-hall |title=Virtual Pool Hall review |work=IGN |date=February 1, 2000 |access-date=December 14, 2017}}
Virtual Pool 3 was released in 2000 for PC, but was later ported to the PlayStation and PlayStation Network. VP3 featured snooker, carom and billiards games in addition to pool. The game, endorsed by women's world champion Jeanette Lee, was released and distributed by Interplay Entertainment and Global Star Software. It received the highest Metacritic score of any main-series title {{crossref|printworthy=y|(see Reception)}}.
{{Anchor|Virtual Pool 4}}More than eleven years after VP3, Virtual Pool 4 was released; in the interim, many patches were released for VP3. Virtual Pool 4 had two releases: a single-player and offline multiplayer version in 2012 and an online multiplayer variant, Virtual Pool 4 Multiplayer, in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.9balldotcom.co.uk/ |title=Latest News |work=9Ball.com |access-date=December 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213011210/http://www.9balldotcom.co.uk/ |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url= http://store.steampowered.com/app/432310/Virtual_Pool_4_Multiplayer/ |title=Sports Games: Virtual Pool 4 Multiplayer |work=Store.SteamPowered.com |publisher=Steam |access-date=December 13, 2017}} Virtual Pool 4 (in both versions) was later released on Steam after a period on Steam Greenlight.{{cite web |url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=131138504 |title=Steam Greenlight: Virtual Pool 4 |work=SteamCommunity.com |publisher=Steam |access-date=2017-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171225170634/http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=131138504 |archive-date=2017-12-25 |url-status=live }} An iPad version was released in December 2015.{{cite web | url=http://vponline.celeris.com/news/view/id/43 | title=VP4 iPad Released | publisher=Celeris | work=VPOnline | access-date=September 28, 2023}}
Virtual Pool 4 has mode and graphical upgrades from its previous incarnation (including snooker, billiards and pool modes) and the ability to change table size and handicaps for certain players. The game also has a trick shot mode, with standard trick shots and the ability to set up new ones.
=Spin-off and ported games=
Although it is primarily a PC game,{{efn|Whilst games in the Virtual Pool franchise do appear on other platforms (generally PlayStation), the games were created for PC and Macintosh, then ported to other systems. The games are designed for keyboard and mouse controls.}} console versions have been released. Celeris released Virtual Snooker, a snooker game with the same engine as Virtual Pool, in 1996.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-snooker-review/1900-2531795/ |title=Virtual Snooker Review |work=GameSpot |publisher=CNET Networks |location=San Francisco |access-date=December 17, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052807/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-snooker-review/1900-2531795/ |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |url-status=live}} It contained only snooker games (no pool).
File:Virtual Pool Mobile Screenshot.jpg from the handheld Virtual Pool Mobile]]
After the release of Virtual Pool 2, Celeris worked with VR Sports to produce a game for the Nintendo 64.{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/n64/sports/virtualpool64/review.html |title=Virtual Pool 64 Review |first=Nelson |last=Taruc |work=GameSpot |date=January 29, 1999 |access-date=September 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061205081536/http://www.gamespot.com/n64/sports/virtualpool64/review.html |archive-date=December 5, 2006 |url-status=live}} The game was released in 1998 as Virtual Pool 64,{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/game/virtual-pool-64 |title=Virtual Pool 64 (Nintendo 64) |work=MobyGames |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052754/http://www.mobygames.com/game/virtual-pool-64 |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |url-status=live}} using the same naming convention as Super Mario 64, and Goldeneye 64. With gameplay and modes similar to Virtual Pool 2, it was condensed to fit on a cartridge.
The series' first Xbox console version, Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/XB-Virtual-Pool-Tournament-Xbox/dp/B0002CTTL2 |title=Virtual Pool Tournament Edition (Xbox Only) |work=Amazon.com |date=2006 |access-date=2017-09-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105055322/http://www.amazon.com/XB-Virtual-Pool-Tournament-Xbox/dp/B0002CTTL2 |archive-date=2010-01-05 |url-status=live }} (ported by Ingram Entertainment), was released in 2006. It contained a career mode which would later develop into the hustle-tour mode in Virtual Pool 4,{{cite web |url= http://uk.ign.com/games/virtual-pool-tournament-edition/xbox-699810 |title=Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition, Ingram Entertainment |work=IGN UK |access-date=December 19, 2017}} the iPad and iPhone game Virtual Pool Online HD (ported by Fried Green Apps in 2010){{cite web |url= http://uk.ign.com/games/virtual-pool-hd |title=Virtual Pool Online HD, Friend Green Apps |work=IGN |access-date=December 19, 2017}} andVirtual Pool Mobile, an Android 2.2+ version released in 2012 by Celeris.{{cite web |url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celeris-Inc-Virtual-Pool-Mobile/dp/B0079MKO6M |title=Virtual Pool Mobile by Celeris Inc |work=Amazon.com |date=August 24, 2011 |access-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214183444/https://www.amazon.co.uk/Celeris-Inc-Virtual-Pool-Mobile/dp/B0079MKO6M |archive-date=December 14, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.celeris.VirtualPool&hl=en_GB |title=Virtual Pool Mobile |work=Android Play Store |access-date=December 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104013208/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.celeris.VirtualPool&hl=en_GB |archive-date=January 4, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-lists-top-20-free-and-paid-for-iphone-apps-591639 |title=Apple lists top 20 free and paid-for iPhone apps |work=TechRadar |access-date=October 3, 2017 |first=Adam |last=Hartley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003125615/http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/apple-lists-top-20-free-and-paid-for-iphone-apps-591639 |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=live}}
{{clear}}
=Releases=
| class="wikitable"
|+ Games by year, publisher, and platform |
| rowspan="2" scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Publisher ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Platform(s) |
|---|
| scope="col" | Console
! scope="col" | Computer ! scope="col" | Mobile |
| Virtual Pool
|1995 |style="text-align:center;"|Interplay Productions |style="background:#dfd;"|PlayStation |style="background:#dfd;"|PC, Mac & DOS |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Snooker
|1996 |style="text-align:center;"|Interplay Productions |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#dfd;"|PC |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Pool 2
|1997 |style="text-align:center;"|VR Sports |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#dfd;"|PC |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Pool 64
|1998 |style="text-align:center;"|Crave Entertainment |style="background:#dfd;"|Nintendo 64 |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Pool Hall
|1999 |style="text-align:center;"|Interplay Software |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#dfd;"|PC |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Pool 3
|2000 |style="text-align:center;"|Interplay Entertainment |style="background:#dfd;"|PlayStation, PlayStation 3{{efn|The game was released originally for PlayStation in 2003, but was later released on PSN in 2010 for PlayStation 3}} |style="background:#dfd;"|PC |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition
|2005 |style="text-align:center;"|Global Star Software |style="background:#dfd;"|Xbox |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#fdd;"| |
| Virtual Pool Mobile
|2012 |style="text-align:center;"|Interplay Entertainment |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#dfd;"|iPhone,{{efn|name=VPOnline|Known as Virtual Pool Online, or Virtual Pool HD.}} iPad{{efn|name=VPOnline}} & Android |
| Virtual Pool 4
|2012 |style="text-align:center;"|Celeris |style="background:#fdd;"| |style="background:#dfd;"|PC |style="background:#dfd;"|iPad |
Reception
{{Video game series reviews
| gr = yes
| mc = yes
|game1 = Virtual Pool
|year1=1995
|gr1=75% {{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199216-virtual-pool/index.html |title=Virtual Pool for PC |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222051507/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199216-virtual-pool/index.html |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |url-status=live }}
|mc1=
|game2=Virtual Snooker
|year2=1996
|gr2 = 67%{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199221-virtual-snooker/index.html |title=Virtual Snooker for PC |publisher=Game Rankings |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052623/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199221-virtual-snooker/index.html |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |url-status=live}}
|game3 = Virtual Pool 2
|year3 = 1997
|gr3 = 73% {{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/55430-virtual-pool-2/index.html |title=Virtual Pool 2 for PC |publisher=Game Rankings |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042548/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/55430-virtual-pool-2/index.html |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |url-status=live}}
|game4 = Virtual Pool 64
|year4 =1998
|gr4 = 65% {{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/n64/199219-virtual-pool-64/index.html |title=Virtual Pool 64 for Nintendo 64 |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223042513/https://www.gamerankings.com/n64/199219-virtual-pool-64/index.html |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |url-status=live}}
|game5 = Virtual Pool Hall
|year5 = 1999
|gr5 = 78% {{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/199220-virtual-pool-hall/index.html |title=Virtual Pool Hall for PC |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=December 18, 2017}}
|qid6 = Q7935021
|game7 = Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition
|year7 = 2006
|gr7 = 61% {{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/922189-virtual-pool-tournament-edition/index.html |title=Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition on Xbox |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308103851/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox/922189-virtual-pool-tournament-edition/index.html |archive-date=March 8, 2018 |url-status=live}}
|mc7 = 62% {{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/virtual-pool-tournament-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox |title=Virtual Pool: Tournament Edition for Xbox |publisher=Metacritic |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926074050/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/virtual-pool-tournament-edition |archive-date=September 26, 2015 |url-status=live}}
}}
The Virtual Pool series has received a moderate-to-good reception from critics, with Virtual Pool 3 the highest-rated game.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/913880-virtual-pool-3/index.html |title=Virtual Pool 3 for PC |publisher=GameRankings |access-date=December 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003125323/http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/913880-virtual-pool-3/index.html |archive-date=October 3, 2017 |url-status=live}} A GameSpot review of Virtual Pool Hall praised its game mechanics, particularly the ball-collision physics. Virtual Pool 2 received a perfect score (100) from the German PC Player magazine.{{cite web |url=http://www.mobygames.com/mobyrank/source/offset,0/so,3d/sourceId,73/ |title=Critic Score PC Player |publisher=MobyGames |access-date=December 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222052118/http://www.mobygames.com/mobyrank/source/offset,0/so,3d/sourceId,73/ |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |url-status=live}} However, some reviews of the series called the games "boring" due to the nature of pool simulation.
=Awards=
Virtual Pool was voted the Best Sports Game of 1995 by PC Gamer US{{cite magazine |date=March 1996 |title=The Year's Best Games |pages=64, 65, 67, 68, 71, 73–75 |magazine=PC Gamer US |volume=3 |issue=3 }} and the 1995 Game of the Year by Games magazine.{{cite web |url= http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/archives.html#previousawards |title=GAMES Game Awards – 1991–2004 Games of the Year |website=GamesMagazine-Online.com |publisher=Kappa Publishing Group |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161223003240/http://www.gamesmagazine-online.com/gameslinks/archives.html |archive-date=23 December 2016 |access-date=19 February 2017 |url-status=dead}} Virtual Pool 2 was a finalist for the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences' 1997 Personal Computer Sports Game of the Year award,{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090128/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardupdate.htm |url=http://www.interactive.org:80/html/award/awardupdate.htm |title=The Award; Award Updates |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archive-date=June 15, 1998 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 21, 2017}} which was won by FIFA: Road to World Cup 98.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980615090115/http://www.interactive.org/html/award/awardwin98.htm |url=http://www.interactive.org:80/html/award/awardwin98.htm |title=Award Updates |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |archive-date=June 15, 1998 |url-status=dead |access-date=November 21, 2017}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://vponline.celeris.com/ Virtual Pool 4 Online]
- [https://www.mobygames.com/group/467/virtual-pool-series/ Virtual Pool series] at MobyGames
{{Virtual Pool}}
{{Snooker Video Games}}