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I have started a project to write a game like Galactic Civilizations* in Java. Brad Wardell, the original creator of Galactic Civilizations*, does not think Java is mature enough to use for games. This project was spawned to try and demonstrate that Java is ready for prime time.

My goals for the game are as follows:

• Use 100% Pure Java
• Use Java 1.1.6 (or 1.1.7 when available) with JFC with the intent to move to Java 1.2 when it becomes readily available on Linux and OS/2.
• The game should be modular
• All source code will be open and will fall under the GNU public license
• The game should run on as many platforms as possible given the constraints of using Java 1.1.6 and the JFC.
• The game should be multi-threaded with each AI running on its own thread
• The Swing JFC libraries should be used for game development since this is the future of Java
• The game should be reasonably fast on a 90MHz Pentium when using a JVM with the JIT enabled. Hopefully it should run adequately in 32MB of RAM, but this is a lower priority since RAM is inexpensive these days (32MB for around $42 at my local computer store).

I have found a copy of the Galactic Civilizations* SDK which is giving me much insight into the game. I do not want to copy it, but it is very useful for giving insight as to how the current game is put together.

Enhancements:

• Real fleet control using named fleets
• Carrier class ships
• Use ship yards for building ships
• Make ships repairable for $$$ at either your or your ally's ship yards
• Keep a history of major events and write up an epic tale at the end of the game (Stardock wants this for their Win32 version)

Progress:

So far I have started writing the following Java interfaces (i) and classes (c):

game.ships.Ship; (i)
game.ships.Fleet; (c)
game.util.Position; (c) - completed
game.sector.Sector; (c)
game.sector.Universe; (c) - completed
game.util.FastVector; (c) - completed - modified Transvirtual GPL code
game.util.FastHashtable; (c) - completed - modified Transvirtual GPL code
game.planets.Planet; (i)
game.stars.Star; (i)
game.player.Player; (i)
game.help.Help; (c) - completed

test.TestHelp; (c) - completed

I have the following classes planned:

game.ai.AI; (i)
game.ai.Pirates; (c)
game.ai.Ousters; (c)
game.ai.Pax; (c)
game.ai.Orisians; (c)
game.ai.Deathsmiths; (c)
game.ai.Triconians; (c)
game.ai.Cyrans; (c)
game.ai.Wardells; (c)
game.ai.Armax; (c)
game.ai.Sedra; (c)
game.ai.Xarians; (c)
game.ai.Selenians; (c)
game.ai.Papyrans; (c)

game.ships.Transport; (c)
game.ships.Carrier; (c)
game.ships.Scout; (c)
game.ships.Colony; (c)
game.ships.Freighter; (c)
game.ships.Military; (c)
game.ships.Battle; (c)

game.planets.Shipyard; (c)

game.trade.TradeRoute; (i)

game.governments.Government; (i)
game.governments.Federation; (c)
game.governments.Republic; (c)
game.governments.Democracy; (c)

game.projects.Project; (i)
game.projects.Wonder; (c)
game.projects.Military; (c)
game.projects.Social; (c)

game.planets.Invasion; (c)

game.technology.Tech; (c)

game.util.Leases; (c)

game.corporations.Corporation; (i)
game.corporations.MarkhamGillian; (c)
game.corporations.BlackthornEnterprises; (c)
game.corporations.GraniteBanking; (c)
game.corporations.RoyalHawk; (c)
game.corporations.Sterling; (c)
game.corporations.Reynolds; (c)
game.corporations.Forensian; (c)
game.corporations.BlackAdder; (c)
game.corporations.MojaviHouse; (c)
game.corporations.DvorreHouse; (c)
game.corporations.MaximillianSchwartzbaum; (c)
game.corporations.UniversalSunray; (c)
game.corporations.XyrumGenetics; (c)
game.corporations.Trident; (c)

game.util.Savegame; (c)
game.util.Loadgame; (c)

game.UI.MainFrame; (c)
game.UI.MapIFrame; (c)
game.UI.SectorIFrame; (c)
game.UI.Toolbar;
game.UI.StatisticsIFrame; (c)
game.UI.TurnIFrame; (c)

game.UI.AnimateShips; (c)

game.UI.dialog.TradeNegotiation; (c)

If you want to join in, please send me email at aaronw@attbi.com. I have also set up a news server at www.doofus.org.

Anyone interested in joining this project can contact me at aaronw@attbi.com.

* Galactic Civilizations is a registered trademark of Stardock Systems.