Atom Smasher

Instead of asteroids, make them atoms. As you fire electrons at them, they split when the # of electrons exceed a certain value. Based on number of protons and number of electrons each atom can have a 'charge' which effects how it interacts with other atoms. So, the whole system is based on a 2D gravity physics. Just like the original asteroids, you can have an enemy ship that comes out and shoots protons, which would destroy your 'Atom Smasher' ship and effect the paths of the atoms. Or, you could just have rogue protons that drift through from time to time. You could have enemy ships/particles that come out, hover for a few seconds, then emit a gravity wave. Maybe when the atom get's small enough and you hit it for the last time, it leaves an 'energy particle' behind that you must collect before another atom 'consumes' it. After you have collected enough energy particles, use them to create a black hole and 'warp' to the next level.

Hmmmm, maybe I'll write my own version.

RCA composite video out !?!? Wow, haven't seen that since my first computer, a Sinclair ZX81 from 1979.
I'll have to keep an eye on this one, it looks so cool.

yes, the same version that Riven confirmed here is also at Java4K.

I've noticed there is a download count at Java4K, but I can't find
a download button anywhere so I can verify the jar file is correct.

This has me baffled, I've only got one copy of the jar file on my computer,
so the two files should be identical.

If that is truely raytracing each frame, bravo !!!
As a math geek I've always been interested in raytracing.

I didn't see any FPS printed, but it was choppy and appeared to be about 3-4 FPS, whether shadows or reflections were on or not.
I have an old Dell Dimension @ 2.1GHz, WinXP Home Edition 2002 SP3.
I'll run at work (newer faster computer) on Monday and let you know.

Ed

If you mean how did I make it compile for 1.6 when all I have is JDK 1.7 ...

I'm using Eclipse Indigo as my IDE.
Under Project->Properties->Java Compiler I checked the "Enable project specific settings".
There is a drop list for "compiler compliance level", which I changed to 1.6
This also changes the "generated .class files compatibility" to 1.6

Then I clicked "Apply" and OK.
I have auto-build enabled so after the dialog closes the project is re-built.

For command line people, the option for javac is -target [release]

Sorry for all the confusion, and thank you for verifying this for me.
It is greatly appreciated.

I appreciate your help Riven.

The file I have on my computer has the CAFEBABE followed by 00 00 00 32.

I tried to delete the file from MyFiles, and then upload the new one.
Apparently, it's keeping the old one.

OK, thank you Riven. I don't how you did that, but I'll have to research eclipse and find out why when I set the target to 1.6, it still generates 1.7.

OK, just recompiled and ran it with JRE6.
I've uploaded the new file, please tell me if it works with 1.6 plugins.

Yes, but I set the compiler target to 1.6.

Working now, thank you Riven

For some reason, it doesn't load. Decline the permission and click on the link to Java4K.

I tried posting in the showcase, but it didn't work. I have uploaded my file and I qualified the class correctly with package.classname

It's entered at Java4K, and working there, so maybe I'll just post a link in the showcase.

My favorite electronic game as a kid. Let's see if I posted this correctly.

Click the game to focus.

Enter a 3, 4, or 5 digit number and press enter.
The game will remember how many digits you entered and show you how many digits are correct and how many digits are in the correct sequence.
Enter your next guess, same number of digits, but don't hit enter.
Keep guessing, using deductive reasoning, until you guess the number.
When you guess the correct number, the display will start flashing.
Hit 'R' to reset the game at any time.

Have Fun

Posted in the Java4K contest http://java4k.com/index.php?action=games&method=view&gid=381

Is it possible? I've uploaded my jar file, and tried the applet button, but I'm not seeing anything in the preview.

You have 3 different JPanels, and none have been added to the JFrame.

backGroundPanel is created and never added to a JFrame, so it will never appear.

newField is created inside your drawPracticeField constructor, but never added to anything. Therfore, when the constructor exits, new field gets destroyed.

addField gets created, but never gets added to a JFrame, so it will never appear.

Could you describe what you think each panel is supposed to do ?

I wish Java had delegates like C#. But, you can implement that with Interfaces in Java and it doesn't really apply to games.

Java doesn't have a preprocesser ( as far as I know ), so it's difficult to have conditional compiles.

Java also doesn't have an alias for namespaces ( whoops, I meant packages ), not a big deal, but I use it in C#.

Working all day writing C#, come home and write JAVA, I mix up the keywords ( bool <> boolean, lock <> syncronize, package <> namespace, etc).

For any language, learn everything you can about multi-threading. Learn about every trap you can and how to avoid them.

If you get to the point where memory becomes an issue ( or if your bored and have some free time ) learn how the garbage collector works, especially for value types ( primitives and structs ) as opposed to objects.

I think I finally have my "head around it" now. That is the type of solution I was looking for.
I'll have to add some thread sync, but I think I'm off and running again.

Thank you everyone for your quick answers.

Ed

Don't feel weird, it's good advice, and appreciated.

I had considered a simple boolean flag to notify the computer player thread to actually make it's move.
For some reason that seems "amateur" to me, and I thought there might be some other, more elegant
solution that I had never seen before. But, sometimes the simplest solution is the best.

Hello everyone,

I am writing a simple abstract game in an attempt to learn java programming, and eventually Android apps. I have been a windows/C++/C# programmer for over 20 years, but I am new to java. I have a solid understanding of the language, threads, GUI, etc.

My question is, how do I implement the state machine logic for a game where there is an initial welcome screen, which switches to the game screen, and allows the user to make a move, then the computer, then the user, etc.

I'm looking for a tutorial that goes beyond "Hello World" or "How to start a background thread". I just can't seem to get my head around the state machine logic for a simple game like tic-tac-toe.

I'm hoping someone has a link to a tutorial for a "your turn/my turn" type of game.

Ed