Shrike said:
i am currently having a problem convincing a consortium of
non-programmer friends that java or java with JNI can do just as well,
if not better than pure c or c++ or c# for a commercial game that our
group is developing.
Hi,
A lot of scepticism is based on 1997 Java, sheer ignorance and
arrogance.
Java has a lot to offer in the games department it is certainly worth a
serious look.
Scott McNealy raves about Java for games. CEO excitement and support
for games has gotta be a good thing. I've got links and stuff at the
end.
it requires an internet client/server layout (it is a multiplayer RPG),
and we would like to have some pretty good graphics, most definately
3d. what should i use for the different game components?
Usually the graphics are built with a package like Max3D or Mayo, you
can make the graphics as pretty as you want. Then there are plenty of
(free) Java kits that can display those formats.
Java's biggest problem is not speed but lack of support on games
consoles.
I'm guessing XBox uses DirectX which is C/C++ based, it *may* support
C# ? but I think pigs will fly before it supports Java.
Playstation2 + Java ... yeah right.
also, can you all get me some examples of outstanding games written in
different languages (or combinations of languages) of this type?
thanks.
C/C++ are dominant but there are plenty of high quality and award
winning games written in Java.
I believe these are totally or partially written in Java:-
Star Wars Galaxies - LucusArts
Alien Flux by Puppy Games
Kingdom of Wars by Abandoned Castle Studios
Law and Order II by Legacy Interactive
Chrome by Techland
Puzzle Pirates by Three Rings
War! Age of Imperialism by Eagle Games
Runescape by Jagex
Galactic Village by Galactic Village software
Jellyvision
Roboforge by Liquid Edge Games
....
LISP. My son and I love Jak and Daxter for Playstation2. It was written
mostly in Naughty Dog's home made LISP and I imagine it is interpreted
not compiled.
Here are some free/shareware sites. Yes the commercial games are better
but these are worth a look:-
http://javagamesfactory.org
http://www.arcadepod.com/java/
http://www.java4fun.com
http://www.flyingguns.com
http://home/halden.net/tombr/squareheads/squareheads.html
http://javaisdoomed.sourceforge.net (Doom like game)
java.net games site.
(Don't get sucked into the world of 1997 Applet games, they're ancient
history).
Google "mcnealy square heads" for his spin.
There is also the J2ME factor, many phones have decent Java games.
Clearly C/C++ are not the only choice for games programming at all,
Java has a lot to offer as well.
HTH,
Cheers.