World Golf Tour (abbreviated WGT Golf and WGT by Topgolf) is an online multiplayer virtual golf game. It is played virtually on actual golf courses located in the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Canada and Mexico, using a patented 3D photorealistic georeferencing technology.[1][2] Players can play with their family or friends, join a foursome, or start their own game.[3] Players can choose and compete in a variety of virtual golf courses with up to four players at a time, play individually or enter into a skills challenge or in tournaments for prizes.[4][5]
Co-founders of WGT Media Chad Nelson and YuChiang Cheng[6] collaborated in 2006 to come up with a high-quality golf game simulation that could be played for free on the Internet,[7] and compete with or surpass the visual quality of console video sports games. Part of the intended goal was to have a fully integrated social golfing network website.[4][8] They recruited JF Prata and Phil Gorrow of Electronic Arts to build the physics game engine[6] that interfaces the thousands of photographs of each golf course that are used to create the WGT Golf experience. WGT Media launched a demo of the site in 2007 and commenced an open beta test in October 2008.[9] The first golf course WGT Media captured and developed for play was the Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, located in South Carolina.[10]
Because of its authenticity in photographing and using actual golf courses for game development, WGT Golf differs from standard console video sports games that are produced fully by computer graphics, rendered by animators.[10] Using this particular process of game development, it can allow real golfers to play virtually on real golf courses at WGT Golf and then take that knowledge and experience out to the actual golf courses themselves to test their skills and ability.[4][11] Members of the PGA have even practiced at WGT Golf before going to tournaments.
WGT Media does not charge a fee to play the HD courses it has developed (although there is a green fee for licensed non-HD courses). WGT Media derives revenue from high-profile online tournament sponsors, advertisements, and in-game micro transactions for upgrading player golfing equipment and for different choices in costume avatar clothing.[11] Tournament cash prizes can be won and then used to buy virtual goods, like new clubs and clothing to customize the in-game avatar.[10]
In January 2011, a foursome completed the 100 millionth virtual round of golf played on WGT Golf. In October 2013, World Golf Tour Media released the mobile version for tablets and smartphones.
^Kincaid, Jason (October 6, 2008). "World Golf Tour Hits Hole-In-One With Rich Multiplayer Flash Game". TechCrunch.
^"Hole in one". Adobe Systems.
^Peckham, Matt (January 6, 2010). "5 Questions for World Golf Tour's YuChiang Cheng". PC World. Archived from the original on March 29, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
^ abcO'Brien, Jeffrey M. (June 11, 2009). "Golf goes Virtual". CNN.com. New York.
^ abTakahashi, Dean (March 16, 2010). "World Golf Tour raises $10M, expands overseas and explores social games". VentureBeat.com.
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