Sorry about the problems.  We are almost finished with a downloadable version that packs everything into one jar file.

Otherwise, thanks for the positive feedback.

~ Random

Random Thoughts is proud to announce the second expansion to our strategy game series Crossfire.  Battle against rival fantasy armies in this fast paced strategy game. Fight powerful bosses while you hunt for treasure in dungeon mode, play through over 150 single player missions in campaign mode, or match wits against your friends in multiplayer. New features include a sixth army, the vile Skitterlings who plot from the stinking sewers below the civilized world, the addition of terrain to the maps, treasure which boosts your score, multiple damage types and resistances, and much more! Integrated world chat lets you talk with everyone who is playing the game. Simple one-click per unit control scheme takes minutes to learn, while the in-depth army building and game strategy keeps you coming back for more.

Check it out here:
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/crossfiredngn/



Please let me know what you think and give me some feedback.

~ Random

This is not a work in progress.  This is a finished game.  Why was it moved here?

~ Random

did you accept the security certificate?

That error is typically a versoning error.  However, we compiled in 1.5, you are using java 1.6, so there shouldn't be a versoning problem.  If you were using Firefox it would let you choose your java version if you have multiples on your computer.  Normally this problem would happen if you were running a LOWER version of java than we compiled in.

~ Random

No feedback from anyone?

~ Random

Random Thoughts is proud to announce the first expansion to our strategy game series Crossfire.  The Northern Campaigns works to improve the game throughout.  Features include over 150 single player missions, improved AI, more units per army, reworked unit stats, larger board size and more.

Check it out here:
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/crossfirenorth/




Let me know what you guys think.
~ Random

Kev - sorry you got an error.  Did you accept the security certificate?  I have uploaded a newer version that fixes a few lockup bugs today.

Demonpants - glad you liked it.  We are working on adding alpha tracking to the sprites to soften the edges.  We already use that technology in one of our demos for a different upcoming game.  Still, its a valid concern.  Also to lower download time for the end user I reduce all images to 256 colors.  I'm thinking about re-arranging the art files to preserve more of the color info so the images look slightly better.

Our next expansion to the series isn't due for two months, so look for the art changes then.  We are also considering changing the applet size to be slightly larger (800x600 window framed by the two chat boxes) although that could create problems for visitors who are still running 800x600 resolutions, as we'd be trying to open a window at 1024x768.  Not sure how large of a user base still runs their PCs at 800x600, but its a concern.  In general we try to keep our requirements as low as possible.

We are also looking into adding full-screen support seeing as we already have the security certificate.


Overkill - Thanks for the warning.  The name is not being changed.  This game has been in development for a while, and we have a lot planned for the future.  "Crossfire - the multiplayer RPG" both has a distinguishing subtitle from our games, and they don't appear to have copyrighted anything.  They are also not listed as having paid for a registered trademark related to the title.  Legally we are in the clear.


Thanks for the feedback so far, keep it coming!
~ Random

Hey all.  If you could take a moment and check out my new Java game:


www.randomthoughts.net/games/crossfire

It is a multiplayer fantasy themed turn based strategy game.  Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
~ Random

They show up on the links site, just click search.

We are going to be redoing the entire links page over the coming weeks to better promote the games that are in the engine.  We are pretty pleased so far, its been less than two days and we've already had over 20 submissions.

Of course we want lots, lots more.  Hopefully that is just a drop in the bucket.  Our games are in the engine as well, and our games page shows our work.  We are discussing more closely linking the "games" and "links" sections of our site, but formatting, artwork etc. isn't even close to being finalized.

~ Random

That is fine.  We don't want the list bogged down with broken links, games that only crash... splash welcome screens with no game behind it, etc.  You would be surprised some of the things people try and pawn off as games that seem to be little more than an idea someone had and a few html pages.  We want real games, and games that showcase what java can do.

~ Random

That help page was written in late 1998.

We've been around for a while.

~ Random

Fixed.

Enjoy.

~ Random

Looking into it.  I'll post when we fix the submission bug.

By finished, I guess I mean not "half done"... or "work in progress", with lots and lots of work still to do.

Runescape we were happy to include.  Same with Dragon Court, Warzone, etc.

Thanks for the fast feedback,
~ Random

After finding that there appeared to be very few, if any, dedicated java game links pages left, we at Random Thoughts decided to just make our own.

And now we want YOUR games.  Anyone can submit a game to our search engine, and there is a rating system and comments that can be added to each game by our users.

To submit your game, go this link:
http://www.randomthoughts.net/links/index.html

and click on the Add Game button.  A few short fields to fill out and voila, your in the search engine.

Hopefully this will help to drive some traffic to your sites, as well as giving you another avenue to getting exposure for your games.

Only finished games please.

Cheers,
~ Random

OK, based on feedback here I have made a few changes:

1.  I updated the movement code so that holding down the key works the same as tapping it.

2.  I added a SMALL resistance to ice based on how strong Rex is.

Check out the new item here:
http://www.randomthoughts.net/news.html


Thanks for the feedback,
~ Random

Good feedback.

The weak sword is supposed to be a trap, because the guy asks you not to open his chest.  An item choice system for swords and armor when you find them in chests isn't a bad idea though.

The freeze situation is also fixable, and one I've been debating for a while.  On one hand I like it because it keeps Rex mortal, make a mistake against Ice monsters and you can always die.  On the other hand, when playing I go to great lengths to stay far away from any ice monsters, because I hate fighting them.

I specifically put less ice monsters in this game as opposed to the last one, but they are still there.  I suppose I could make a freeze resist that is based on your strength...  (Strong Rex break ice!)

It is a 5 year old engine, and this game was done for an offline CD almost 3 years ago.  It only just now got finished being converted into applet glory.  Saving does fix some of the issues.  I suppose saying our newer games with newer engines (check the Lab, http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/lab.html ) don't suffer from the same problems doesn't help this particular game.

Thanks for the feedback.  You've given me some thought about some changes to implement.
~ Random

Nice to hear some people remember us.

Yes, we were down for a few years, and then just trying to get our old stuff working for a while.  In November of last year we started working to revive the site and start coming out with new projects.  Our biggest current project is an expansion to Mercs.

~ Random

Hey all,

We have released a new game today, Rex the Red Adventures Episode II.  This Zelda clone style game is a real upgrade on the original, and now features hardware acceleration using VolatileImage.


Check it out here:
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/rexa2/

And here is a short blurb describing the game:
"The Adventures of Rex the Red: Episode II ~ The Dark Monastery.
Take control of the valiant Rex the Red in this action adventure RPG. Dark times have befallen Ivesdale. Monsters run rampant along the roads, and a sinister presence has arisen at the nearby monestary. Improved game engine over episode I features faster game play, more monsters, more traps and more treasure! Premium Members can enjoy saving and access to Episode I as well. Will Rex prevail? Only your skill will decide the fate of our Hero."


Any and all feedback is appreciated,
~ Random

Some of our older games were made optimized for IE 4.  Everything these days is optimized for Firefox/Opera

We only have 3d demos, our first finished 3d games are probably a year off.

~ Random

Or is there an alternate form of free media for getting word out about your new games?

~ Random

We use applets (in all we have 20 finished games and more coming)

Most of our games are compiled in Java 1.4, although some older ones in 1.2.  Our two most recent now require 1.5.

We offer links on our web pages to get the most recent version of Java if people have an out of date version, and we have an extensive help page to help people get started in Java.


My problem is promotion.  There are plenty of large Flash only sites (New Grounds, for instance) that refuse to take Java submissions... (I've asked them repeatedly).  Searching for free links pages (which used to be a major form of free advertising) and almost every one only accepts flash games.

IF there is a link site out there that still includes Java games and is running, I'd like to know about it.  Otherwise, is the only way to promote java games through paid advertising at this point?

~ Random

I've been doing Java game coding for a while now, and the internet really seems to have changed over the last 7 years or so.

Back around 2000 when I released a game, I could go to one of many large Java link pages and submit my games (ArcadePod, for instance).

Lurking around the internet these days, I can't find any large java game links pages anymore, and many of the old ones I knew are either gone or clearly abandoned.  It seems that everywhere offers flash only games and flash links pages.

So how do you promote Java games these days?  Are there good sites to go to and see java links from many sites? 

Thanks,
~ Random

Hey all.  I represent Random Thoughts Entertainment.  We have been around for a while, and offer free java games.
I only recently found this forum, and it seems like a perfect place to get people to check out our games.  Some of them are almost 10 years old, some were released earlier this week.

Please check them out and give me some feedback.  We are always trying to improve and make the best java gaming library on the web.

Silent Frontier - a space RTS
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/sf/

Treasure Keeper - TBS fantasy game
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/treasure/

Mercenaries of Dosbar - TBS RPG... our most successful game
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/mercs/

Red Phoenix - Side scrolling space shooter
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/phoenix/

Rex the Red Adventures - Action RPG, Zeldaesq
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/rexa/

Ghostie Quest - Side scrolling platform game
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/ghostie/

Orbs  -  Our newest puzzle game
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/orbs/


And plenty more.  You can check out our full list of games at http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/


Any and all feedback is appreciated.  Also, if you check out our Lab, you can see the projects that are currently under construction:
http://www.randomthoughts.net/games/lab.html


Thanks for the Feedback!
~ Random