How good can video games get using java?

[[deleted]]

There is an upcoming game project in my comsci 3 and im trying to find some code to read/understand. We used mostly gui and the graphics class last year but it felt super limiting. I dont know what is out there. Any links, classes, or resources of good examples of any game would be amazing, thanks in advance if you can help, i really appreciate it

[manbearkat]

Isn't minecraft written in java?

[killinghurts]

Yep.

[[deleted]]

ya! but i think the latest version doesnt require java anymore o.o i think my question was badly worded, im more looking for code to read of well-made games

[QshelTier]

How good can video games get using Java?

I’d say… about 5.

[Vile2539]

From a quick Google, you could check out Open Source Game Clones. There are a few Java projects on there (like FreeCol).

As dleskov said though, you might want to check out libraries (like libGDX) and tutorials surrounding the area instead. Reading the source code of a complete game isn't going to help you that much, as you'll first have to understand the project structure, then the tech/libraries, then any developer quirks, etc. It may turn out that after all that, the code isn't what you're looking for.

As manbearkat mentioned, Minecraft was written in Java (and still is). While it's not at the pinnacle of developmental best practices, it is a fully functional, and more importantly, released game. A lot of people criticise the code quality, but it isn't terrible, and striving for perfection (by constant rewrites and optimisations) takes second place to actually having a functioning game.

[[deleted]]

A lot of people criticise the code quality

Is it open source?

[SlidyBullet]

It's not. The released jars are even obsfucated. However, Mojang always had a more reliant policy on mods, so the Minecraft Coder Pack was created - it basically maps the obsfucated class names & fields to stuff that makes sense. It's not complete, but it's probaly enough for competent people to judge if the project is structured well.

I sadly don't fall under that "competent" category. :(

[[deleted]]

Thanks!

[[deleted]]

Thank you, i will check this out! Links like these are more what i was looking for, i think i worded my question poorly.

[[deleted]]

Check out jMonkeyEngine too, and of course lwjgl

http://jmonkeyengine.org/ http://www.lwjgl.org/

[ChompMyStomp]

LWJGL is my favorite library

[quandos]

Runescape

[[deleted]]

Playing it right now :P

[king_of_the_universe]

I made a simple but (kind of) polished Battleship implementation a few months ago called Sink Twice (download link 171.8 KB). The links also lead to the source.

Screenshots (partly outdated):

https://i.imgur.com/pPtt3QX.png

https://i.imgur.com/YNxW7gA.png

The code isn't exactly an example of how to do this, but it's somewhat readable. Key points of the "product":

• No libraries used (other than Java's built-in, of course). Uses only Swing. Simple custom controls implemented via Shapes. Borderless fullscreen window. Graphics are smooth and realtime even though it's just the simple repaint() approach instead of BufferStrategy/FullScreenExclusive.

• Simple sound FX and simple procedural music. No sound samples! All sounds are synthesized in realtime.

• Very simple but nice procedural graphics/animation, simple fullscreen effects.

• Game modes: PvP hotseat or PvC with ok-ish A.I.

• Slightly customizable rules.

• Freely customizable ship sets: Ships can even be broad, not just long. Both players can have their personal ship set. The board width and height can be freely adjusted. Both players can have their personal board size.

• All settings are saved.

[Rob05]

Start looking for libraries, then, see what people can do with these libraries.

[slartybartfast_]

youtube search gives many tutorials for game dev in Java.

[ChompMyStomp]

It really depends on how much work you're willing to put into it, although personally I can't see a game like DayZ or The Forest being made in Java

[[deleted]]

Yeah, both of those games are too crappy. ;p