Kayotic Thoughts of Ryan Sullivan

A Lightweight Java Game Engine

Lets Make a Game Update 1

After doing some research and messing around with the Lightweight Java Game Library (lwjgl), I have decided to start off my quest by making a game engine.  The point of making a separate game engine is twofold:

First, I want to make sure this will be a tool that I (and others) can use once the game is completed.  Why build up a game engine to just on a single game that will probably end up being very bad anyway?

Second, I am still trying to figure out what type of game to make.  Putting time into building a proper engine might spark some ideas.  Also, building the tools first can help make the end product more organized and robust.

Since my last posting I have made a VERY basic engine.  It organizes, controls and provides an easy interface for the Game Loop and keyboard and mouse I/O.  It also has a few utilities but this will expand quickly over time as I put more time into the engine.

As I have said, I will make sure all my research stays open for all to use.  I have posted my project so far to GitHub and will push commits as often as I can (https://github.com/KayoticSully/lwjge).  I have dubbed the project the Lightweight Java Game Engine as it will rely heavily on the lwjgl.  It will mostly just provide tools to use and otherwise stay out of your way so I felt the name was appropriate.  By the time the engine is more mature and somewhat “finished” the name will probably be changed unless lwjge has caught on.

Research

The research I did was mostly just the lwgjl documentation. But a few other helpful links were:

• Algorithm to determine if a point is inside a square with mathematics (no hit test involved) by Emanuele Feronato
• Episode #4 (LWJGL Input) of LWJGL Tutorials series by TheCodingUniverse

So, Lets Make A Game

I have decided to try and make a game. I have barely a plan, no real ideas, and zero talent for creating textures or 3D models.  All I have to start with is the basics of game theory, minimal graphics programming experience, and the ambition to make a game.  I’m just going to see what I can do.

In the (very loose) plan I have I will start by teaching myself the Lightweight Java Game Library (lwjgl) and doing some research on advanced game theory topics.  I am going to chronicle my experience, share all my research, maybe make a few YouTube videos, and see where it all leads me.

If you are reading this around the time it was written, come join me on this grad adventure!  Maybe learn a few things, teach me some others, it should be a lot of fun!

If you happen to be reading this sometime off in the future, I do hope something managed to come out of this, and that these postings will help you on your journey.

Until next time.

Lets Get Started

My official project site, KayoticLabs.com is almost ready.  The design is basically done.  I just have a few loose ends to tie up, some actual content to add, and then it is all set to go.  The redesign of this blog is a sneak peak at what KayoticLabs.com will look like.

I hope this blog and my project site will be useful to whomever happens across it.  I will do my best to post meaningful, helpful, or entertaining posts.  It may not be updated every day, but I would rather slowly post good content than quickly post crap every day.

I turned tumblr questions on, so feel free to ask me something, anything!  As long as its appropriate (keep it clean) I will answer everything publicly, no matter how mundane or entertaining the question and answer might be.

Well thats it for now, I hope to get the ball rolling this weekend and do a full release of KayoticLabs.com and a few new projects along with it!