The latest articles on DEV Community by Dylan Baker (@dyfi). https://dev.to/dyfi https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F3466169%2F7aee1cad-2787-4e8d-874c-534970c83a70.jpg https://dev.to/dyfi en Dylan Baker Thu, 28 Aug 2025 23:03:23 +0000 https://dev.to/dyfi/web-wide-worlds-an-open-technology-stack-for-digital-worlds-e3p https://dev.to/dyfi/web-wide-worlds-an-open-technology-stack-for-digital-worlds-e3p <p>Over the past several years, I’ve been building <strong>Web Wide Worlds</strong>—an open-source framework for creating persistent, explorable 3D environments using web-native technologies.</p> <p>This stack makes building a digital world like building a website—modular, remixable, and accessible across devices.</p> <h2> What Is Web Wide Worlds? </h2> <p><a href="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fn2inpoe5mimhewgiykoh.png" class="article-body-image-wrapper"><img src="https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=800%2Cheight=%2Cfit=scale-down%2Cgravity=auto%2Cformat=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fn2inpoe5mimhewgiykoh.png" alt=" " width="800" height="450"></a></p> <p>Web Wide Worlds is a modular framework for defining, deploying, and interacting with 3D environments in a world browser application. It’s engine-agnostic, protocol-friendly, and built to scale from tiny microsites to planet-scale simulations.</p> <p>At its core:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>VEML (Virtual Environment Markup Language)</strong>: An XML-based schema for defining entities, controls, behaviors, and assets</li> <li> <strong>JavaScript World APIs</strong>: Runtime logic for interaction, animation, and input mapping</li> <li> <strong>WorldSync</strong>: Real-time state replication using MQTT and WebSocket</li> <li> <strong>WorldOS</strong>: A NodeJS-based server framework for hosting, messaging, and procedural generation</li> <li> <strong>WebVerse</strong>: A platform-native or browser-based client for entering worlds via standard URLs</li> <li> <strong>WorldHub</strong>: Hosting, asset marketplaces, and low-code editors for creators</li> </ul> <h2> Why Modular Matters </h2> <p>Each layer of the stack is designed to be swappable and composable:</p> <ul> <li>Define worlds declaratively with VEML </li> <li>Extend behaviors with JavaScript modules </li> <li>Sync entities with a single synchronization flag </li> <li>Host worlds on your own infrastructure or through third-party hosting services</li> <li>Embed viewers into webpages or launch full XR clients</li> </ul> <p>Whether you’re prototyping a multiplayer game, teaching through interaction, or replacing static content with explorable spaces—this stack flexes with you.</p> <h2> Use Cases </h2> <p>Here’s what people are building (or could build) with Web Wide Worlds:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>Collaborative prototyping</strong> for multiplayer mechanics </li> <li> <strong>Spatial microsites</strong> embedded in blogs or event pages </li> <li> <strong>Indie games</strong> with rollback logic and modular UI </li> <li> <strong>Onboarding flows</strong> that teach through interaction</li> <li> <strong>STEM simulations</strong> and spatial tutorials </li> <li> <strong>Digital art exhibits</strong> with interactive storytelling </li> </ul> <h2> Built on Open Standards </h2> <p>Web Wide Worlds is designed to align with:</p> <ul> <li> <strong>GLTF and USD</strong> for asset interoperability </li> <li> <strong>HTTP, MQTT, WebSocket</strong> for transport and messaging </li> <li> <strong>WebGL/WebGPU</strong> for rendering </li> <li> <strong>OpenXR</strong> for immersive input</li> </ul> <p>You can use Blender, Sketchfab, or any pipeline that supports open formats. The goal is to make worldbuilding accessible, remixable, and standards-compliant.</p> <h2> Try It Out </h2> <ul> <li>Explore live worlds: <a href="https://webverse.fivesqd.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">webverse.fivesqd.com</a> </li> <li>Read the docs: <a href="https://github.com/Five-Squared-Interactive" rel="noopener noreferrer">GitHub repo</a> </li> <li>Build your own world in just minutes</li> </ul> <h2> Let’s Connect </h2> <p>I’d love feedback from developers working on spatial logic, multiplayer frameworks, or declarative systems. If you’re building something similar—or want to collaborate—drop a comment or reach out.</p> <p>Let’s make the web explorable.</p> webdev opensource web3 gamedev