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{{Use American English|date=December 2023}}
{{Use MDY dates|date=December 2023}}
{{Short description|2000 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Virtual Pool 3
| image = Virtual Pool 3 cover.jpg
| caption = Windows box art
| developer = Celeris
| publisher = [[Interplay Entertainment|Digital Mayhem]]<small> (PC)</small><br />[[XS Games]]<small> (PS)</small>
| series = ''[[Virtual Pool]]''
| engine = 
| platforms = [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]<br />[[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]]
| released = '''Windows''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 7, 2000<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Trey |date=November 7, 2000 |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' Ships |url=http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2651307,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011105103554/http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/news/0,10870,2651307,00.html |archive-date=November 5, 2001 |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref>|UK|December 1, 2000<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bye |first=John |date=November 22, 2000 |title=Virgin births delayed |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-29799 |access-date=May 15, 2024 |website=[[Eurogamer]]}}</ref>}} '''PlayStation''' {{vgrelease|NA|August 11, 2003}} '''PlayStation Network''' {{vgrelease|NA|November 2, 2010}}
| genre = [[Sports video game|Sports]] ([[cue sports]])
| modes = [[Single-player video game|Single-player]], [[Multiplayer video game|multiplayer]]
}}
'''''Virtual Pool 3''''' is a [[3D computer graphics|3D]], [[First-person (video games)|first-person]] [[Sports video game|sports]] [[video game]] that [[Simulation video game|simulates]] various [[cue sports]], developed and released for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] and [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] by Celeris. The game features 15 [[Pool (cue sports)|pool]] disciplines, [[snooker]], and two varieties of [[carom billiards]].

==Overview==
The [[Virtual Pool|''Virtual Pool'' series]] made its debut in 1995 with the release by [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] of ''Virtual Pool''.  Interplay went on to produce ''Virtual Pool 2'' in November 1997, adding improvements including enhanced [[Dynamical simulation|physics modeling]] and a handful of new game types. ''Virtual Pool Hall'' followed in December 1999, introducing [[snooker]] to the series. ''Virtual Pool Hall'' suffered from poor opponent [[AI]] and a lack of a [[Billiard hall|pool hall]] atmosphere.{{citation needed|date=December 2023|reason=This presumably comes from a review and might be cited in the article on that game, but needs a citation here or should be removed.}}

Initially, ''Virtual Pool 3'' was released as a retail boxed version endorsed by champion pool player [[Jeanette Lee]]. The latest version is available on the Celeris site as a [[download]] and is supported via downloadable [[Patch (computing)|update patches]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.celeris.com/games/vp3/patch |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' – Downloadable patches |work=Celeris.com}}</ref>

A [[Dreamcast]] version was referenced in the official [[Sega]] [[press kit]] for [[E3]] 2000 but did not materialise.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000 |title=Dreamcast – More Games |url=https://segaretro.org/images/e/ec/E32000_Dreamcast_MoreGames.pdf |work=E3 2000 Press Kit |via=SegaRetro.org |pages=7}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2000 |title=New Games |url=https://retrocdn.net/images/b/b4/ODM_UK_09.pdf |work=[[Official Dreamcast Magazine (UK magazine)|Official Dreamcast Magazine]] |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing]] |issue=9 |pages=25 |via=RetroCDN.net}}</ref>

==Gameplay==

[[Image:VP3 Single Player 1.jpg|thumb|256px|right|[[Nine-ball]] in Virtual Pool 3 [[single-player video game|single-player mode]]]]

The game can be played in single-player mode against the computer (Career Mode, Tournament or Quick Play), or against other human opponents on the Internet or locally through a [[LAN]].

The game features eight [[Billiard hall|billiard venues]] the player can choose from, which include six pool tables, a snooker table, and a [[Carom billiards|carom]] table for [[One-cushion billiards|cushion caroms]] or [[three-cushion billiards]]. There are three preset table configurations available for all games (championship, professional, and amateur), but any table can be customized for roll speed and pocket dimensions.

Twenty-one variations are featured in the game, and most options simulate popular games including [[nine-ball]], [[eight-ball]], and [[straight pool]], as well as [[snooker]], and three-cushion, the inclusion of uncommon variations such as [[cowboy pool]], [[Honolulu (pool)|Honolulu]], and [[Bowlliards|bowliards]] allows players to try out game for which finding real-life opponents might be difficult.
	
The disciplines featured in ''Virtual Pool 3'' are as it follows:
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Snooker]]
* [[Nine-ball]]
* [[Straight pool]]
* [[Eight-ball]] – league
* Eight-ball – midwest
* Eight-ball – bar
* Eight-ball – pub
* [[Ten-ball]]
* [[Nine-ball#Six-ball|Six-Ball]]
* [[Three-ball]]
* [[One-pocket]]
* [[Rotation (pool)|Rotation]]
* [[Bank pool]]
* [[Honolulu (pool)|Honolulu]]
* [[Cowboy pool]]
* [[Bowlliards|Bowliards]]
* [[Cribbage (pool)|Cribbage pool]]
* Fifteen-ball
* [[Pyramid pool|Basic pocket billiards]]
* [[One-cushion billiards|Cushion caroms]] (one-cushion [[carom billiards]])
* [[Three-cushion billiards]]
{{div col end}}

==Online play==

[[Image:Al-v-Am.jpg|thumb|256px|right|Beginning a {{cuegloss|frame}} of [[snooker]] online]]

Players use the [[GameSpy Arcade]] client to access the game's main lobby and then create or join [[Virtual world|virtual]] rooms where they can participate in [[online game|online play]].

* '''Challenge Mode''' creates a winner-stays-on style of play where the creator of the room selects the game and table.
* '''Normal Mode''' allows the player to create a room where he, or the previous match winner can set the game type, table and players who play.

The Virtual International Players Ladder (VIPLadder) is a perpetual league for players of games in the ''Virtual Pool'' franchise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vipladder.com/vpmain.shtml |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' – VIP Ladder}}</ref> Players compete in matches to earn points from other VIP Ladder players. As players earn points, they move up the ladder.

Besides other normal leagues ending with playoffs<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vphqtournaments.com/tourney_archive/tourney_results.asp?tid=2998 |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' – Eight-ball Pub League playoffs |work=VPHQTournaments.com |access-date=August 26, 2008 |archive-date=July 17, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717232804/http://www.vphqtournaments.com/tourney_archive/tourney_results.asp?tid=2998 |url-status=dead}}</ref> (like the Eight-ball Pub League),<ref>{{cite web |url=http://8ballvp3.awardspace.com/main.html |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' – Eight-ball Pub League results |work=8BallVP3.com |access-date=May 11, 2008 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707200035/http://8ballvp3.awardspace.com/main.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> there are several regular weekly online tournaments that every player can attend. Each tournament usually takes a few hours, but some more prestigious events such as the Virtual 9 Ball World Championships and the Virtual Snooker World Championships can take several days or weeks to complete.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.9balldotcom.co.uk/virtualworldchampions.htm |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' – World champions (past and present) |work=9BallDotCom.co.uk |access-date=September 13, 2007 |archive-date=October 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026130704/http://www.9balldotcom.co.uk/virtualworldchampions.htm |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
 |title      = Reception
 |subtitle   = 
 |GR         = 85%<ref name="GameRankings" />
 |MC         = 82%<ref name="Metacritic" />
 |GSpot        = 8.7/10<ref name="Gamespot">{{Cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/virtual-pool-3-review/1900-2660188/ |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' Review |last=Poole |first=Stephen |date=December 1, 2000 |website=GameSpot |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
 |IGN        = 8.5/10<ref name="IGN review">{{Cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2000/12/09/virtual-pool-3 |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' |author=Staff |date=December 8, 2000 |website=IGN |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
 |rev1       = [[PC Zone UK]]
 |rev1Score  = 8.5/10<ref name="PC Zone">{{cite magazine |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' Review |magazine=PC Zone UK |date=August 13, 2001}}</ref>
 |rev2       = [[PC Gamer]]
 |rev2Score   = 8.5/10<ref name="PC Gamer">{{cite magazine |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' Review |magazine=PC Gamer |date=March 2001 |page=83}}</ref>
}}

''Virtual Pool 3'' was mostly very well received by critics, with an average score of 85% at ''[[GameRankings]]'',<ref name="GameRankings"/> which makes it the highest rated [[Cue sports|billiards]] game on [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]], as of 2007. industry standard video game aggregator website [[Metacritic]] also scored the game well, at another franchise high rating of 82 out of 100.<ref name="Metacritic" /><ref name="DailyRadar" />

''[[GameSpot]]'' rated the game highly, with an 8.7 out of 10 rating, particularly citing the "gorgeous" visuals as well as the "better ball physics and better online support" than the previous titles in the series.<ref name="Gamespot" /> However, GameSpot did find that it was "disappointing" that the players were (as with all ''[[Virtual Pool]]'' games) invisible instead of fully rendered. ''GameSpot''<nowiki />'s review concluded that "you can't find a pool sim that looks and plays as much like the real thing as ''Virtual Pool 3'' does."<ref name="Gamespot" />

''[[IGN]]'' were also positive about the game; scoring it an 8.5 out of 10,<ref name="IGN review" /> calling ''Virtual Pool 3'' "really a great game", and saying the "great gameplay that will keep you entertained for a long time since", and "it's a whole lot of fun". However, ''IGN'' also said that ''Virtual Pool 3'' "won't replace the real thing".<ref name="IGN review" />

==Sequel==
''[[Virtual Pool 4]]'', the sequel to the game announced on July 6, 2012,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.insidepoolmag.com/201207/billiard-news/virtual-pool-4-to-be-released-for-windows.html |title=''Virtual Pool 4'' to be released for Windows |work=Inside Pool Magazine |date=July 6, 2017 |access-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-date=December 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213203741/http://www.insidepoolmag.com/201207/billiard-news/virtual-pool-4-to-be-released-for-windows.html |url-status=dead}}</ref> and was released on 15 August 2012 worldwide for [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]. The game features many graphical and feature updates from ''Virtual Pool 3''. An online-only version of the game was released in 2015 that features online tournaments and rankings, similar to ''Virtual Pool 3''.

{{clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="Metacritic">{{Cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/virtual-pool-3/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' |website=Metacritic |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="GameRankings">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/pc/913880-virtual-pool-3/index.html |title=''Virtual Pool 3'' for PC |website=GameRankings |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="DailyRadar">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailyradar.com:80/previews/game_preview_798.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010225171847/http://www.dailyradar.com/previews/game_preview_798.html |archive-date=February 25, 2001 |website=DailyRadar |title=''Virtual Pool 3'': Preview |first=Chris |last=Hudak |access-date=July 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
* [http://www.celeris.com/virtual_pool_3_windows.html Official website]
* {{moby game|id=/4914/virtual-pool-3}}

{{Snooker Video Games}}
{{Virtual Pool}}

[[Category:2000 video games]]
[[Category:Cancelled Dreamcast games]]
[[Category:Global Star Software games]]
[[Category:Interplay Entertainment games]]
[[Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games]]
[[Category:PlayStation (console) games]]
[[Category:PlayStation Network games]]
[[Category:Video games developed in the United States]]
[[Category:Virtual Pool]]
[[Category:Windows games]]