Potential Games

Sun has released Java 6 Update 10, with the primary goal of improving end-user experience. Java is a wonderful programming language and runtime platform for developing many types of applications. Unfortunately, running a Java application can be a stumbling block for end users, which, in my opinion, has been holding Java back from reaching its full potential. This update promises many welcome improvements to the platform.

Attention Alpha Playtesters: I’ll be testing the new Java version soon, with the goal of officially updating the game’s base Java requirements to this version. Playtesters are encouraged to try the new update and report any issues/improvements.

In the rest of this article, I give my two cents on Sun’s approach to Java thus far, and examine a couple improvements I’ve been eagerly anticipating.

Since the beginning (and to its credit), Java has been a language by developers and for developers. By learning the Java Programming Language, developers can leverage the platform’s capabilities for a multitude of applications, including client/GUI applications, networking, server and enterprise applications, database interaction, server-side Web processing (Servlets), and browser-based applications (Applets). Under this developer-centric approach, Sun has underestimated the frustration experienced by end users trying to install and configure the Java Runtime Environment. Although I applaud Sun for remaining true to its target audience of developers, I see its lack of user attention as the major reason Java is not as prolific as it could/should be.

Take, for example, Java Applets. I’m not a big fan of in-browser applications (especially when abused for purposes of eye-candy), but there are some useful features that can be offered by interactive browser-based widgets. As a Java developer, I could leverage the platform to create fully-featured browser-based applications. Sadly, I have had little confidence that a Java Applet would actually execute properly in a user’s browser. The Next-Generation Java Plug-In promises to improve Applet support.

As a more specific case-in-point, Java Web Start should be the ideal approach for players to install-update-launch the Potential Games, Java-based, in-development MMORPG game client (“with a single click”). My experience has shown JWS to be problematic (to put it lightly) under many common conditions. Since Java includes this integrated deployment capability, I’d prefer to use JWS over a third-party deployment system. Java 6 Update 10 promises to make application deployment more robust and transparent to the end user.

In summary, and in conclusion, I feel that Java has been incubating within its developer-centric shell and is only now beginning to break out into an environment of mass acceptance, where it can realize its full potential.