Carom3D

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Carom3D

Carom3D is a free online pool and billiards game released in 1999 by Neoact. It started as a school project by a Korean student known as Comworm. The game recreates several billiards disciplines, including eight-ball, nine-ball, rotation pool, three-ball, four-ball, and the original six-ball. It can be played from a first-person 3D view or a fixed overhead view.

Initially freeware, Carom3D stayed free until 2005, after which it became free-to-play with optional paid items such as cues, custom 3D characters, and daily tournaments (priced from about $1 to $5).

The main draw is online competition against players worldwide. Winning can unlock better cues and help you perform strong spin shots. Spin is important, especially in pocketless games where physics and spin determine what shots are possible.

Closure of the servers: From 2005 to 2010, more than a thousand players were online daily, but numbers declined as updates slowed and Neoact focused on other games. The servers were shut down at the end of 2013.

Esports: Carom3D was one of the games featured at the World Cyber Games in 2007, 2009, and 2010.

Developer and platform: Comworm Student developed the game; Neoact published it for Windows. Release: 1999. Genre: Sports simulation – pool. Modes: Single-player and multiplayer.

External links: Carom3D is listed on MobyGames.