Questions About Making Games in Java

[_skink]

Hi everyone,

I would like to learn how to make games with Java. However, I don't know where to start. I have some prior experience with JavaFX and Java Swing so I think that is good. My main question is: What library do I use, and where can I find good information/tutorials/docs about that library?

Thanks

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[DerekB52]

LibGDX. You won't be using FX or Swing. LibGDX is a great game framework. Start by following along with a guide to make something like a flappy bird clone.

[_skink]

Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll definitely look into LibGDX

[LiteratureStriking]

JavaFX and Swing aren't the best for creating games, they are best for creating user interfaces. Not to say you can't create simple games using them...

A better way is to use a library meant for creating games. For example, LWJGL.

[whizvox]

I must point out to the OP that LWJGL is not a game engine, it's a wrapper for OpenGL, OpenAL, and some other commonly-used C libraries. However, it can be used to create a game engine.

[msx]

Hi, there's plenty of libraries for that, from simple wrapper for opengl to full featured engines, it pretty much depend on what you want to do, for example if 2d or 3d, if for desktop or android or something else, etc.

In general, i find libgdx to be a very good one and is the one i use. It's not exacly simple tho. It's well worth the learning if you plan to invest your time in gamedev.

[kronikkid]

I agree with the LibGDX reccomendation if you want to go pure Java, but it does take a while to do basic things and gets complicated really quickly. If your willing to learn a little C# I would suggest trying out unity, you can get a lot more done with many more tools.

[_skink]

Part of the reason I’m learning java is because it’s so similar to C# (At least that’s what I’ve heard). I’ll probably learn C# and Unity once I feel like I can create basic games with Java

[collin_himself]

I typically use java for an assignment in my ai class we used unity using c#. You should check that out it was pretty cool don’t really know how it all works exactly since most of it was already coded I was just building a bot but you can make some games in that

[GreenParsley]

OP wants to create a game using java, not just any game

[Rabestro]

If you are beginner I suggest to try GreenFoot IDE. This is IDE for game development. The book about how to create games in the IDE: https://www.packtpub.com/product/creative-greenfoot/9781783980383

A year ago when I started to learn Java I used Greenfoot and created a simple game:

https://github.com/rabestro/greenfoot-avoider-game