While that is a nice idea, you aren't going to find something like that...especially as freeware.

The multiplayer games you are talking about all require LOTS of software to be installed on the end users computer to create the virtual world.

With bandwidth limitations, you simply couldn't do that off of code on a website. Aside from the bandwidth limitations, browsers aren't really meant for that type of application. A flash player is closer but still not what would be needed.

To do what you want, you would need to have custom software developed that the end user would download to their computer and run. That software would then connect to your server(s) and in-turn connect that user to other users. At this stage, the project is no longer a website.

I once entered a site, just as you describe, some 5 years or so ago.
I went for Atlantis, so a sub-aqua 3d environment. Kewellll........
Build your own home there, or invent a new environment............
Sadly it disappeared.
As mentioned. I had to download the software. Unfortunately (but understandably) they started charging for the downloads, in exchange for custom identity (Avatar) (which, apparently upset some of the early (formative) members who envisioned a totally free environment, but maybe with corporate advertising............ but there you enter a new phase....
....how to make it, at least, pay for the investment?

So it sounds like this whole idea is basically unfeasible at this time. Okay, how about adapting it some. Here's the whole layout of my idea. I run a car site, and would like to have a car show online where people can register their cars and chat with other users. I already have a forum but I want this to be more interactive. Maybe a 3d photo gallery of photos in rows that users could browse, then click on the photos for stats and to chat (text or voice) with the owner. Also maybe have music in the background. Is this possible, and if so how?

I also had this set-up on a site of mine several years ago. I forget the name of the software, but it was a download I installed on my own server, and it was pretty cool. It did some very cool processing of the sound - so that when the avatar to your left spoke - it CAME from the left - or behind, or whatever. Volume cues for distance, etc.

This ran on a Sparc 5. (Shared, no less.) So, I can't imagine that it's beyond today's servers...

I just think you need to do a more exhaustive search.

Fantastic! I'll keep looking but could you please try and remember the name of the software, that would really help me out! Thank you so much, that would help immensley!

What would this type of software be called?

OK, you can thank the incredible Wayback Machine! (archive.org)

I took a peek at a copy of my site from 1998. The particular software I used was called OnLive Traveler, and apparently is still available today under a slightly different name - DigitalSpace Traveler. It appears to have been transformed into an open-source free project.

There are a number of similar software packages and services. The generic term I would search would be "virtual worlds".

FWIW, my site (no longer active) was a stock market discussion site. I used this software for a "virtual trading floor" where users could meet for real-time voice chat.

Thanks so much, this is great! I really appreciate your help. I took a look at the site and the program looks great, although you have to download an application it has all the features that I want. It seems to be very straightforward except for one thing, I cannot see any instructions or info on how to create your own world on your own server. Could you help me out here, is there a special software package I need to install to a dir on my server, or can I create one on their server (if so how)?

Thanks

You'll just have to poke around. I was equally baffled trying to find the server. All I could find was "email us for information about the server".

I think you may be better served by one of the alternatives. This is rather "mature" software, to say the least - it was first released in 1995 and I think was abandonware for a while.

The first natural search page I get on the primary search term that I gave is a "review" site. Not sure how much of a high-quality review site it is, but it does have links to a number of similar programs and services, so this may be of use to you.

I found an interesting one called Multiverse, you can find it on google quite easily. If you look around their site you'll see that they offer a great product, and for free with non-commercial use. However I can't seem to find a download yet, have they not released any tests yet or something?

What about a sort of photo gallery software (maybe 3d?) where users could post their cars w/ pics and then you could browse. If you click on a car you can chat (text or voice) with the owner. Is that feasible?