Google Summer of Code & libgdx, feedback wanted

[badlogicgames]

Hi,

a few of us libgdx contributors conspired and thought it would be a fun idea to try to take part in this year's Google Summer of Code. Google essentially sponsors students for 3 full months to work on OSS projects for which they handed in a proposal. You can read about our motivation and plan at http://www.badlogicgames.com/wordpress/?p=2877

What i'd like to get is feedback on whether you think this is actually worth it, whether you'd be interested to take part as a mentor or student, and also write about any creative ideas for projects you can come up with.

You can either post your feedback here or over on our forums (as linked to from the blog post).

Thanks a bunch,
Mario

[Jimmt]

Damn, I wish I could do this...but I'm way too noob 

[ra4king]

YES YES YES I NEED THIS! Sign me up as a student!

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

[ReBirth]

Damn, I wish I could do this...but I'm way too noob 

I even don't understand what's going on after read the post 

[Roquen]

I can't see any big downsides.  Some project have had very cool results from SoC projects.

[StumpyStrust]

That sounds fantastic but sadly I am also probably too noob. 

One thing that I wish libgdx did better (if it doesn't already) is more support for desktop apps. That is, if the app is being run on a desktop, use better rendering methods. Even something as simple as a geometry shader for 2d sprites gives easily x2 performance. I know that you can write all of it on your own which is great but it would be nice if libgdx had a whole lot of these sorts of things done and ready to go for you.

I would love to dig into the current particle system and see if there was anything cool I could do there. 

[jonjava]

Three full months working and improving upon libGDX while getting paid. Of course you should do it!

[badlogicgames]

Thanks for the input so far folks. I guess we'll try our like, even if our chances are minimal

I put together an initial draft of ideas a student could make into a full-fledged proposal, see http://code.google.com/p/libgdx/wiki/GoogleSummerOfCode2013

If you have an idea, feel free to post it here and i'll try to incorporate it.

[Sammidysam]

Damn, I wish I could do this...but I'm way too noob 

That combined with the fact that you have to be 18 years or older.  It looked pretty interesting until I put those two together.

[Jimmt]

Gah...must find other ways to buff resume...

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

[princec]

I'd kinda like some students to hack on your Jack Java->C compiler and get that working....

Cas

[ra4king]

Damn, I wish I could do this...but I'm way too noob 

That combined with the fact that you have to be 18 years or older.  It looked pretty interesting until I put those two together.

Wait...no.....nooooo. I'm turning 18 in June! Will I still be allowed to do this?

EDIT: Found it in the FAQ:

You must be 18 years of age or older on or before May 27, 2013 to be eligible to participate in Google Summer of Code in 2013.

Excuse me while I go kill myself.

[Regenuluz]

Hum, that 2d map editor looks like fun. I might actually consider applying for that. Though I guess I'll have to start playing with LibGDX sooner, rather than later.

[ReBirth]

@ra4king:
Please make it quick but seriously just enjoy your "below 18" moment for now. You'll miss it later.

[Regenuluz]

Aw, you guys didn't apply, or get accepted into the GSoC program? Now I need to find something else to apply to!

[Nate]

Rejected. Screw you Google, we didn't want to play with you ANYWAY!

[Regenuluz]

Bummer. :/