Project: VGM.NET Update (Oh My!)

[SMinistrator]

Alright guys, I figure that you should about VGM.NET's progress. With college coming up in... a few weeks, it is obvious that I won't be getting as much done as I had previously thought. With that said, do not think that this project is dead. In fact, I've finally decided how I can keep this project moving and improve it. That's right, I'm going to make this thing even better.

Now, some of you out there might be thinking, "smchronos, you nimrod, you can't make VGM.NET better! You haven't even released it yet! What's going on? Is this your way of saying that you're dropping the project?" Let me repeat: I am not dropping this project. What I am doing is starting over with a language that I will be taking in college. That's right! I am actually going to use a language while I'm learning it... which means that everybody wins! I learn more for my class while you guys get more progress and updates! Okay, so, I'm sure you guys are wondering what amazing language I'll be using for VGM.NET, right? Well, first of all, it will no longer be called VGM.NET. For those of you that didn't know, VGM.NET = Visual Game Maker .NET (the .NET stands for the .NET framework of Microsoft). The new project name for this engine will have something to do with the new language that I'm going to use.

Now, I want to talk to you about the actual language: I'm using Java. Honestly, I hate Java; however, I'm required to learn it and, as a possible computer science/computer engineer double major, I cannot protest learning the language because of personal tastes. Frankly, Java is great for quick cross-platform development. From what I've seen, the newest Java IDEs out there provide quick and robust ways to make apps. Furthermore, the syntax is similar to that of my favorite language (of the moment) C. That's right, I actually prefer C over C++ right now... but not by much. Anyway, some of you may immediately think, "Does this mean that we can't compile our apps? It's just another stupid application that runs binary files and is more like a game than an engine?" Wrong! Take a look at this link right here. Granted, this might take some tweaking, but it can work. Plus, if you want ultra security, you can find some quick apps that compile Java code to actual executable files (granted, they may not be the best). The point is, you will be able to write code for the engine. As I learn how to do things, I'll write my own code to produce text files with those features.

So, what is there left to this post? Let me start out by listing some possible features that this engine should be able to produce:

• My personal favorite: cross-platform applications
• OpenGL rendering (I like it better than DirectX)
• Ability to embed into web pages (this will be tricky, or require additional coding by me)
• 3D capabilities (I've seen it done, and I want to do it too)
• All of VGM.NET's features

Alright guys, if you've followed me so far, there's just a little bit left. Because I'm planning to code this in Java, this project needs a new name. If any of you follow the Eclipse engine, they thought of a catchy title for their upcoming Java engine called 'Solar Eclipse.' Granted, I doubt there is a name for VGM.NET that could be as catchy without altering the name completely. That's why I'm turning to you guys. Give me a few names (no less than three) that you think would suite a game engine that could become the next big thing. Anyway, that's about it. I'm planning to start practicing Java (ordered an additional monitor so I can dual screen my computer) as I downloaded some nice Java ebooks to read from. And who knows, maybe Jared (a.k.a Sh4d0ws) will help me out... although he doesn't like doing much outside of game development... and he's mostly interested in C++ at the moment.

I repeat! Give me a few names (no less than three) that you think would suite a game engine that could become the next big thing.

[timster0]

"Ability to embed into web pages"

NICE! Thanks for the update, can't wait to hear more!

[Teriyaki]

I'm really not familiar with Java. For me it's just some kind of application player or something. But the way you're talking about it, it looks very promising..! As much as Bleakblox and vgm.NET....?!

[Jared]

I would have no problem helping you with this Chronos. I already know most of java since I have already completed the same thing as the courses you are currently doing. So anytime you need help with some code, debugging, etc just let me know.

Also in terms of names I think you can go one of two ways. A composite name like VGM, or a flat out name like Eclipse.

Some interesting names you might like to think about/expand on...

Twilight, Crimson, Azure, Crescent.

As for an idea on a full name, that would have something to do with Java itself. Why not, "Make Games in Java" MGJ, or "Java game maker", JGM.

[SMinistrator]

I like the composite names better than the more creative names, at least for this project. If it gets more popular, a unique non-acronymic name might be a good choice. Right now, I kind of like the JGM, although it's taken by the JGM corporation (landscaping) and other groups as well.

You can count on me to ask you questions.

[EDIT]
I'm thinking of something like JGCC (Java Game Creator and Compiler).

[Jared]

I like the JGCC. I think the name suits nicely.

[Koovo]

It is a unique acronym (JGCC), but would be a pain to pronounce.  I love cross-platform applications.  If the new engine has a Linux-native client, I'll love you long time.  Java seems pretty cool language, there is an operating system (Jnode) and a web browser (Lobo) being developed with the language. As for a name, why not Java Application Maker (JAM)?

I wish you luck, dude.

[SMinistrator]

JAM is another option, although a quick google search brings up a site that has some sort of software builder named jam. As for a native Linux client, I will be extensively testing the Java app JGCC in Linux (Fedora and Ubuntu) as well as Windows XP, Vista (32-bit), and Mac OS X 10.5 (and 10.6?). You can count on a working copy for each of those platforms when it is released.

Anyway, here's what you guys really want.

Update 1
Alright everyone, here is the newest update for JGCC (Java Game Creator and Compiler). As you should know, I am currently in college. That means that I have a lot of busy work and whatnot. The Java class that I am taking is incredibly basic, but it is required for a minor/major in computer science. On the plus side, the more work that I have unrelated to my hobby projects, the more I want to work on those hobby projects; thus, I have already started work on JGCC. This includes code and design work typed and written/drawn. I've been planning out how I want JGCC to work (smoothly) and here is a little bit of what I have been thinking:

Game objects will be the key focus for this engine. Everything will be some type of game object. For now, I am imagining the following types: visual, sound, interface, gameplay, and custom. In short, game objects will make up the entire application. Visual Game Objects are basically your effects, sprites, 3D objects, and anything else that you want to draw on the screen outside of the user interface. Picture it like this:

Code: [Select]

// JGCC fake script
void GameScreenStart()
{
 VisualGameObject sprite1 = new VisualGameObject("SPRITE", "path-to-graphic");
 sprite1.DrawToScreen(X,Y,Z);
 sprite1.MoveTo(Starting_X, Starting_Y, Starting_Z, Ending_X, Ending_Y, Ending_Z, Frames_Per_Second);
}

Sound Game Objects will work like this:

Code: [Select]

// Another JGCC fake script
void gameplay_object_move_event(GameplayGameObject ggo)
{
 if (ggo.x == X) {
  SoundGameObject sound1 = new SoundGameObject("path-to-sound");
  sound1.play("NON-LOOP");
 }
}
Gameplay Game Objects will be a core feature for everything. All objects that are Gameplay objects can interact with each other. The environment, the players, the enemies... pretty much anything that isn't backgrounds or sounds will be a gameplay object. There's too much for me to elaborate on at the moment for this.

Interface Game Objects will be fundamental for basic apps.

Code: [Select]

void AppStart()
{
 InterfaceGameObject window1 = new InterfaceGameObject("WINDOW");
 window1.width = 300;
 window1.height = 200;
 window1.CreateNewControl("BUTTON1", "CONTROL_BUTTON");
 window1.control("BUTTON1").x = 30;
 window1.control("BUTTON1").y = 20;
 window1.control("BUTTON1").CreateEventHandler("L_CLICK", "EVENT_LEFT_MOUSE_CLICK");
}

void L_CLICK()
{
 // Do stuff here!
}
Obviously, this is all code-based. I plan to have code-generating editors that can do the bulk of the work for you; however, this just gives you an idea of what the system might look like.

Update 2
A small, yet proud update. I have successfully completed the syntax highlighter that will be used with JGCC.

[Koovo]

Java Application Creator and Complier or JACC.  Sounds cool.

Keep up the great work, SMinistrator.  The fact that you will indeed support other OSes is commendable.  It also gave me a joygasm.   

[SMinistrator]

I like JACC as well, but I may have issues with copyright infringement with the "Journal of the American College of Cardiology."

Oh, and here's a preview (it doesn't show you the amount of work I put into some of this). The editor worked, but it didn't support quotes until I added them. The caret wouldn't show up on the far right until I fixed it. Wordwrapping was enforced until I found away around it. Then, it took a little worked to get the connection between the Window menu list and the actual windows. This may not seem cool to you, but it took me several hours of trial and error.

http://www.dualsolace.com/movies/JGCC_Preview_1.swf

[Ganon]

I think you have homework on your Blackboard.

[SMinistrator]

I finished it.

Anyway, another "minor for you" and "major for me" update. In the previous video, you didn't get to see some of the lacking features: namely, undo and redo options. Obviously, these are key components to any editor, but Java makes it incredibly difficult to process a simple undo/redo system. After about an hour, I finally got it completed. I believe the editing system is nearly complete.