Creating Games on the Java™ Platform with
the jMonkeyEngine
Joshua Slack, Rikard Herlitz
jMonkeyEngine
jMonkeyEngine.com
TS-5711
Our Goal:
To get you started on the path to creating
professional quality 3D games and
applications in Java™ technology today!
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 2
Our other jobs…
NCsoft Corp
Makers of popular online
games such as Guild Wars,
Lineage, City of Heroes,
and Tabula Rasa
Started hiring
jMonkeyEngine developers
in 2006
Demonstrated a strong
commitment to the Java
gaming community by
actively contributing back to
the jMonkeyEngine
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 3
Agenda:
Myths and Realities
Getting Your Feet Wet
Taking it to the Next Level
Trail Blazers
Q&A
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 4
Myths and Realities
#1 - Speed
• Myth: Java technology is too slow for games
• Reality: Since 1.4.2, Java technology has closed the speed gap.
Besides, much of the heavy lifting in games can be left to the
hardware.
#2 - Visual Quality
• Myth: Java technology-based games are ugly. Just look at [game X]
• Reality: With jMonkeyEngine, quality is limited by the art assets you
have available and your skill as a graphics programmer –not the
language.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 5
Myths and Realities
Is this what Java based games have to look like?
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 6
Myths and Realities
Here’s an example of what can be done!
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 7
Let’s get our feet wet!
What is the jMonkeyEngine?
jMonkeyEngine is a 3D scene graph that empowers you to
create high quality games and applications with engaging
graphics and sound.
The engine is written 100% in Java programming language
and uses a thin JNI layer to communicate directly with your
audio, video and input device hardware.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 8
The 10,000 Foot View
Your Code
jMonkeyEngine Core
Scene Input Resource Graphics
Management Management Management Utils
Model Collision / Audio Community
Importers Boundings Management Extensions
LWJGL jME-physics
OpenGL OpenAL jInput ODE, PhysX, …
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 9
Making a Simple Game
“MonkeyPong”
Why?
• We aren’t artists
• Everyone knows the mechanics of the game
• Everything we need is right there in the engine API
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 10
First Step – the framework
We can get up and running very quickly by using one of
jME’s application classes:
• AbstractGame, SimpleGame, SimplePassGame, StandardGame
We’ll use SimpleGame for this game.
public class MonkeyPong extends SimpleGame {
protected void simpleInitGame() {
}
}
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 11
Next – the game elements
We use jME’s primitives for our ball, walls and paddles
ball = new Sphere("Ball", 8, 8, 2);
ball.setModelBound(new BoundingSphere());
ball.updateModelBound();
player1 = new Box("Player1", new Vector3f(), 2, 5, 10);
player1.setModelBound(new BoundingBox());
player1.updateModelBound();
player1.getLocalTranslation().set(-100, 0, 0);
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 12
Now – input control
The simplest way of getting keyboard input is through the
KeyBindingManager
simpleInitGame() {
KeyBindingManager.getKeyBindingManager().set("MOVE_UP", KeyInput.KEY_W);
}
simpleUpdate() {
if (KeyBindingManager.getKeyBindingManager()
.isValidCommand("MOVE_UP", true)) {
player1.getLocalTranslation().z -=
player1Speed * timer.getTimePerFrame();
}
}
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 13
Mix in some collision…
Bounding box collision is more
than enough for us
simpleUpdate() {
if (player1.hasCollision(ball, false)) {
ballVelocity.x *= -1f;
}
if (sideWalls.hasCollision(ball, false)) {
ballVelocity.z *= -1f;
}
if (player1GoalWall.hasCollision(ball, false)) {
player2Score++;
}
}
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 14
Monkey Pong Live Demo #1
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 15
That was too easy, let’s add sound!
First we setup a track in our init section:
...
AudioTrack collideSound =
audio.createAudioTrack("/jmetest/data/sound/laser.ogg", false);
collideSound.setRelative(true);
Then we’ll simply play the track when we detect a collision:
...
collideSound.play();
Finally, make sure we update the AudioSystem in our
game loop:
...
AudioSystem.getSystem().update();
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 16
More spice…
Creating a particle system is easy through
the factory
ParticleMesh particles =
ParticleFactory.buildParticles("particles", 30);
Setup particle system lifetime, sizes, colors, etc.
particles.setInitialVelocity(.05f);
particles.setStartSize(3f);
...
Add an optional influence like gravity, wind or swarming
SwarmInfluence swarm = new SwarmInfluence(new
Vector3f(particles.getWorldTranslation()), .001f);
particles.addInfluence(swarm);
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 17
Adding water…
Realistic water with reflections and refraction is just a few
lines of code
waterEffectRenderPass = new WaterRenderPass(cam, 4, false, true);
waterQuad = new Quad("waterQuad", 1, 1);
waterEffectRenderPass.setWaterEffectOnSpatial(waterQuad);
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 18
Terrain…
Generate a terrain from image data or through our
heightmap generators
RawHeightMap heightMap = new RawHeightMap(MonkeyPong.class
.getClassLoader().getResource(
"jmetest/data/texture/terrain/heights.raw").getFile(),
129, RawHeightMap.FORMAT_16BITLE, false)
TerrainPage page = new TerrainPage("Terrain", 33, heightMap.getSize(),
terrainScale, heightMap.getHeightMap(), false);
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 19
Monkey Pong Live Demo #2
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 20
Let’s recap…
jMonkeyEngine provides a lot of foundational
classes and examples to get you started
You can use jME’s supplied special effects to add
extra punch to your game
Even with a programmer’s eye for art, you can build
a fun game
Get a closer look at the source for this example
from the jME project svn
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 21
Taking it to the Next Level
Production quality games require a whole new level of
effort
To make such a game we need to work together with other
creative types:
• Artists
• Level builders
• Game designers
Collaboration is achieved through good pipeline and tools
Tool installation and start-up needs to be fast and hassle-
free
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 22
Pipeline
Your game’s pipeline is the path that artist generated
content takes to get from their mind into the game
jME has support for most popular image formats and some
standard audio formats:
• tga, png, jpg, gif, bmp, dds.
• wav, ogg
We also have support for several standard model formats:
• Ase, Obj, 3ds, Md2-Md5, X3d, Milkshape and Collada
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 23
Pipeline (continued)
But jME needs to improve in this area:
• Improved Collada support
• Community is working on better md5 support.
• Create an XML equivalent to our binary import/export process and
let the community create their own exporters (or tools.)
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 24
Tools
Tools turn your pipeline assets into a game environment
Options Include:
• MonkeyWorld 3D – Built using SWT and Eclipse RCP
• Various small utilities in jME – Particle Editor, Control Editor, etc.
• Rolling your own tool
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 25
Tools
Roll Your Own - An Example: NCsoft’s World Builder
• Swing + jME Canvas
• Created by a small team in short time
• Some features include:
• Asset integration with Perforce, terrain generation/painting, lighting,
lightmap generation, LOD setup, etc.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 26
NCsoft’s
Java technology-based
World Builder
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 27
Tools continued…
Not many cons
• Direct memory handling
• Native buffer performance
But lots of pros
• Your tool runs anywhere (many artists prefer Macs)
• Swing GUI development
• Exception handling (not many hard crashes)
• Logging (console, file, mail)
• Scripting (Lua or JavaScript™ programming language, etc.)
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 28
Client
Things to consider on your game client:
• Aim for min spec, next-gen, or use fallbacks to handle both?
• Give users controls – give as many configuration options as you
can to allow the user to tweak things for their platform. (But use
smart default settings.)
• User Interface – several options: BUI, FengGUI, jMEDesktop or
your own
• Deploying your game:
• Format: Applet or application
• Java technology installation and min version
• Delivery: Webstart, GetDown, etc.
• Crash reporting and bootstrapping
• Future options: Java Consumer JRE
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 29
To recap…
You can make use of existing model and asset formats
To make a professional game, you need artists and you
need to provide them with tools
There are some existing tools
It’s easy to make your own tools with jME embedded
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 30
Evaluating Java as a Game Platform:
Selling Points
Versatile deployment options
• Applet or application; fullscreen or windowed
Error handling is more elegant
• Easier than in traditional C/C++ frameworks
Cross Platform:
• OpenGL + Java platform means never having to say you’re sorry
The Power of Java technology:
• Easy to use, familiar, powerful
• Lots of open source code out there to make use of
• Easy integration into web-services, etc.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 31
Evaluating Java as a Game Platform:
Issues
Major Problem Area – Infrastructure
• Lack of source materials (books, articles, code samples)
• Lack of existing games
• Lack of developer support (disbelief, inexperience)
• Lack of middleware support
ALL of these points can be turned around rather quickly
• This is still a fairly new area for Java technology
• Releasing one or two high quality games would change attitudes
and give inspiration (and create experienced developers)
• Use by companies or universities with money to spend will
encourage existing middleware to add Java technology support
• Will this happen?
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 32
It's Already Happening – Commercial Games
Hockey Heroes
Bang! Howdy Jadestone
Three Rings Ice hockey with an attitude.
Fast-paced wild west tactical strategy
game.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 33
It's Already Happening - Commercial Games
Nord
Call of the Kings SLX Games
Gamalocus Your personal online social
experience.
Online fantasy strategy-roleplaying
game.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 34
It's Already Happening - Commercial Games
JCRPG – Classic Project X
RPG NCsoft Corporation
JCRPG team Unannounced game under development…
Open source classic RPG framework.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 35
It's Already Happening – Casual Gaming
Mad Skills Motorcross
BigFun Turborilla
Motorcycle Trials Race against the neural network
trained riders to prove you’re the best.
OurAwesomeGames
Perform dangerous feats of skill on
your trusty motorcycle.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 36
It's Already Happening – Event Based Entertainment
Polyball 2007
Sail the high seas and do ship combat in front of a
ball room of nine thousand guests.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 37
It's Already Happening – Student Projects
Lord of the Fjord
Matics Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech Viking boat bongo battle!
Puzzle based platformer with real
physics.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 38
It's Already Happening – Research Applications
Multitouch Environment
Wubble World Durham University
USC Research into interactive learning
interfaces
Interactive playground for AI research.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 39
It's Already Happening – Commercial
JPericia
Project Team Cadanus
Wonderland Scene visualizer for crime scene
investigation in Brazil.
Sun Microsystems
Toolkit for creating collaborative 3D
worlds.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 40
It's Already Happening - Science
Intelligent Robotics Group - NASA
Ames
Giving scientists the tools to visualize the next Mars lander mission and
beyond.
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 41
jME 2.0 – The future
Planned features include:
• Easy/safe threading
• Separate game and render loop
• Visibility/space partitioning handling in core
• More Enumerations
• Latest in OpenGL features
• Refactoring / documentation
• Pipeline Improvements
• Community code process
The jME 2.0 Architecture group
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 42
jMonkeyEngine in action!
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 43
For More Information
Check us out on line:
• Home: www.jMonkeyEngine.com
• Wiki: www.jMonkeyEngine.com/wiki
Talk to the community!
• Forums: www.jMonkeyEngine.com/jmeforum
Check out the “MonkeyPong” source:
• jME’s SVN repository:
• http://code.google.com/p/jmonkeyengine/source/checkout
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 44
Rikard Herlitz, Joshua Slack
jMonkeyEngine
jMonkeyEngine.com
TS-5711
2008 JavaOneSM Conference | java.sun.com/javaone | 45
