Is Java Right For Me?

[Drew Sullivan]

I am currently just starting to learn Java, and I find that when tackling such a large mountain, it is good to keep ultimate goals in clear view.

It would be a terrible waste of time to learn something like this, but then realize that it is not what you needed. So, I need to know if Java is the proper language for what I want to make.

I am planning on eventually, (who knows how long it will take...), making a side scrolling massively multiplayer shooting game. When I say massively, I mean anywhere from 2 to several hundred people on in the same area. I was planning on making it run within a internet browser and be a sever side ran game, sort of like how runescape is run.

Is this possible? It seemed like Java would be the best language for this, but im not sure.

Thanks for your time.

[Nicholas Jordan]

Java may run slower, but for get-going there is no better learning platform. Everything you learn can be brought to most styles of programming. I would stay with java until you get at least one game running. There are plenty of sample code games available:

JDK\demo\applets\Animator

[Drew Sullivan]

Ah, thanks. I'll keep that in mind.

[Stuart Smith]

I want to create games as well and Java is the perfect sollution as it is cross platform open source and there is some really good libs out there such as java 2d/3d, lwjgl, java monkey engine, jogl, and the sun game server.

So you can make a game for a mobile phone, mac, linux, solaris, windows and ofc you can also create in in an applet like runscape does so that anyone can play without a download.

That should keep you buzy for a while

Just google the engines above and I am sure you will choose Java as I have done.

[Drew Sullivan]

Yes! Those were some of the things that I was looking at when deciding what to use. Its really nice to hear it from someone else.

[Stuart Smith]

Originally posted by Drew Sullivan:
Yes! Those were some of the things that I was looking at when deciding what to use. Its really nice to hear it from someone else.

Indeed, I hope to make an MMO *chuckles to him self at the almost immposible task ahead haha

[Drew Sullivan]

*sigh* Don't remind me.... lol. : P

Im sure we'll get there eventually if we persist. "I think I can, I think I can." (Don't mock me Thomas, you stupid train...)

For now, I just look to Wurm Online for inspiration of what can be done with Java. Such an impressive project made by only two people. Check it out if you haven't yet:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wurm_Online
[ March 30, 2008: Message edited by: Drew Sullivan ]

[Stuart Smith]

That Wurm looks like it has something there and Java to great =)

if I could get to that stage I would be a happy camper.

[Drew Sullivan]

Ya, no kidding. Unfortunately, right now I have some (and i mean alot) of physics to learn for school... : (
[ March 31, 2008: Message edited by: Drew Sullivan ]

[Stuart Smith]

Originally posted by Drew Sullivan:
Ya, no kidding. Unfortunately, right now I have some (and i mean alot) of physics to learn for school... : (

[ March 31, 2008: Message edited by: Drew Sullivan ]

Physics dang!! well above my programming level good luck with that maybe you could post some source when your done

[Drew Sullivan]

I ment a grade 12 Physics course... no Java involved.

I am probably farther behind then you in terms of what I know in Java, but thats not suprizing because im only 20 pages into my Java book.
[ April 01, 2008: Message edited by: Drew Sullivan ]

[Stuart Smith]

LOL I am new to Java so you will soon catch up I am sure, as we both wan't to work on the same MMO ideas perhaps we could learn together and post our code and problems here, I am in the middle of organising an old pc I have lying around the house as a test server.

I hope if all goes well to get Solaris installed at some point and get the Sune game server installed set up the database as that needs doing first then next on the list is a simple login / account creation client from what I have been reading here that makes sense to do it in that order, then of course we could attempt a basic walk and talk and go from there, if any one else is interested in helping the full source would be published if it ever gets to that stage as like I said before I am new to Java and building a mulitplayer walk and talk is not an easy task.

[Drew Sullivan]

That sounds like a great idea. I'll get cracking on that Java book of mine. A few days ago it taught me how to program "The Beer Song", so if examples remain this interesting, im sure ill be able to stay focused, lol.

I know Im looking ahead to the future, but these two books seem perfect for what we are eventually planning to do: First and Second

I find that I edit my posts alot... :roll:
[ April 02, 2008: Message edited by: Drew Sullivan ]