Game Engines?

[gouessej]

A JVM does install on at least one IPhone.  I have seen it and it was in the AppStore for 4.99 for about a year.

It is wrong because such an application would not respect Apple's terms and conditions on its AppStore.

[tberthel]

Well I don't own a IPhone, but I have seen one run a JVM from the App Store.  The store policies have changed I would guess several times over the years.

Generating Objective-C for some of the libraries I have are fine, but I have not done every library as I am always adding more and don't use Objective-C except for the thrill of making my stuff work on IPhone.

[gouessej]

Well I don't own a IPhone, but I have seen one run a JVM from the App Store.  The store policies have changed I would guess several times over the years.

Then give us a pointer. I am in close contact with Oracle and it is still not allowed to put a JVM onto the AppStore despite the recent change in the policies.

Generating Objective-C for some of the libraries I have are fine, but I have not done every library as I am always adding more and don't use Objective-C except for the thrill of making my stuff work on IPhone.

Ok but as I said, XMLVM is a bit broken, Flexycore still requires XCode like MonoTouch.

Concerning Meego, Nokia confirmed that the N900 has no official JVM, the users can install J2SE For Embedded by themselves but it does not completely work, there are some problems of focus and keyboard. That is why I'm still surprised when you say your engine supports IPhone and Meego.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[tberthel]

Well I personally tested my games with Moblin/Meego.  So Java worked fine for me on Moblin/Meego except for a sound issue.  I was able to make a work around using a native sound library.

Technically any distribution with Open Office must allow Java.  It is part of the license.

While many of my game libraries work on IPhone and one game did run I do not have it deployed to the Apple AppStore. 

So deployment to a store does not mean it is not available or illegal for some.

Personally, I am not willing to pay for the Apple AppStore anyways.  With my games in 20+ stores for Android, J2ME, and BlackBerry I don't really like the pay to play system.  I may rethink that at some point.  I am still negotiating the approval process for the AppUp store even though I was the first Java games previously approved for Moblin during a competition.  So again working and deployment to a store are not the same.  Yes, I know that Apple are dicks to Java on the IPhone now, and since you are close to Oracle you know that a JVM is real.

BTW, I don't really need J2SE for my stuff to run.  Sub J2ME is the baseline.  I just have add on api's for other crap like sensors and touch and such for specific platforms.

[badlogicgames]

Any suggestions? Pros/Cons with the different libraries/engines?

Might i suggest to have a look at libgdx? It might well be what you are looking for. Kev also ported Slick to Android via libgdx and it works just fine.

[gouessej]

Well I personally tested my games with Moblin/Meego.  So Java worked fine for me on Moblin/Meego except for a sound issue.  I was able to make a work around using a native sound library.

A vendor may decide neither to use PhoneMe nor to pay to get J2SE For Embedded which means that some phones on Meego may have no JVM.

While many of my game libraries work on IPhone and one game did run I do not have it deployed to the Apple AppStore.

So deployment to a store does not mean it is not available or illegal for some.

How do you deploy your games for IPhone without using Apple AppStore? The other legal ways Apple allows are quite restrictive, people can download and install a game from a web site but the author has to pay something for each install...

Yes, I know that Apple are dicks to Java on the IPhone now, and since you are close to Oracle you know that a JVM is real.

Oracle already has even a JVM for the IPod, Sun Microsystems employees already used it with Project Wonderland. There is a difference between having a working JVM and having a JVM that is allowed to be installed

[tberthel]

If MeeGo has OpenOffice then it must allow the installation of Java, and it does.

You can install anything you want on a device that you purchased.  It is your hardware. You can throw it, kick it, lick it, cuddle it, or other.

[CrazyCanuck]

I see this thread has been inactive for some time, but was hoping to find some updated opinions on the topic.

The 3 that seem to come up the most frequently in my searches are AndEngine, libgdx and Slick-ae. Are these still the top choices, and does one of them stand out more than the others? I've spent a bit of time with AngEngine and it seems to have a fair amont of functionality. The missing docs is a bit of a pain, but they provide a fair number of examples.

[namrog84]

tberthel,

your website allbinary hurts my eyes

I love the 1995 feel to it

I couldn't find any decent places that talked about your engine there?  Where is more information, aside from what you posted.
the listed link allbinary.appspot.com link didnt work for me

[tberthel]

http://allbinarygames.appspot.com/

http://allbinarygames.appspot.com/AllBinaryGameDevelopmentKit.jsp

The 3d and multi-player stuff is actually done now.

I created a git hub account a few years ago and a few days ago I actually added a AllBinary Platform project.  So, you will have access to some source and an SDK when I release a custom version of raspberry pi hardware in the coming year.  Probably 2 months after a raspberry pi is in my hands.

Games published by our own members! Check 'em out!

[steveyO]

Are these still the top choices, and does one of them stand out more than the others?

I made the AndEngine -> libgdx switch a couple of months ago and so far haven't regretted it for 1 second and can't think of a single reason to switch to anything else.

[CrazyCanuck]

stevyo, thanks for the reply. Can you provide any insight into why you find libgdx so much better?

[tberthel]

While I don't know it this will take off I am starting to organize my plans around my new game console.

http://www.indiegogo.com/AllBinary-Game-Console-1

[steveyO]

stevyo, thanks for the reply. Can you provide any insight into why you find libgdx so much better?

There are a few blog posts out there that highlight the differences between the 2 so won't elaborate on these points again (speed, developing on desktop etc).  For me personally I find libgdx less restrictive.  I managed to write 2 puzzle slider type games with AndEngine with no problem but struggled with a more complex game (with complex sprite movements). Was never at ease with the event based model AngEngine uses (give me a main game loop anyday).  When I switched some of the things I was struggling with (multiple screens, camera movement with zoom and velocity) I solved immediately with libgdx and little fuss, and with all my logic in a main loop I had more control over my sprites, game logic etc.  At first wasn't fussed about the desktop deployment (as have tablet which deploys in around 1 second, old htc magic phone was 30seconds so this would have been more an issue) but now am used to it will probably deploy games as applets when finished which is a nice bonus. Also community is excellent (the 1 minor bug I found was fixed in < 2 hours), the main man (Mario) provides excellent daily support (and has written his own book, which is pretty good too and generally inspires confidence).

[jasonbrownlee]

I've put together a massive list of 2D Android Game Engines that I believe is definitive http://mobilegameengines.com/android/2d_game_engines

I'm sure you will find a game engine that will meet your requirements.

Jason.

[Apo]

Cool big thanks for the list of Game Engines!