Erkki

The mappings between Java & C should be easier now with JNA and various new tools such as http://code.google.com/p/jnaerator/ (haven't used them myself, though). But yeah I guess that has been (or still is) one of the problems why this hasn't happened yet.

Somewhat off topic, but I was thinking about UnrealScript earlier today... Java is quite similar to UnrealScript: in design principles, syntax (at least the last time I used it -- in the Deus Ex version of the engine), in performance (actually Java probably performs better thanks to the JIT compiler, and occasionally even better than C++ code). Why isn't there an engine built like the Unreal Engine, but with Java taking the place of UnrealScript (or instead of Java it could be any language for the Java VM, such as Scala, Groovy, JRuby, etc.). There's so much research done on the Java VM and it keeps getting faster and better with each release. Why don't game developers take advantage of that? Ogre and other C++ engine wrappers for Java are something like that, but they don't seem to be used much. One factor is probably the awkward mapping between Java and native code, but some newer tools can do that much easier. Another factor could be Sun's licensing issues (although there are other VM's of course, they generally are not as good) and the fact that the design of the Java VM is more focused on "enterprise" server applications, not games (you could probably throw out 90% of Java when using it for a game). Still, the constant improvements benefit games as well, and I'm sure such an engine would easily beat XNA performance-wise. Then there are engines written purely in Java (only using OpenGL natives and such), but not much comes to mind that has combined native code for performance-critical engine stuff with Java for game code.

Lucky sobs. I have to wait for the general release of the demo. in a week I think?

I think previews definitely take away some of the wonder and sense of discovery. It's just awesome to start playing a game you've heard nothing about and discovering it all yourself (if it's a good game). Unfortunately it's the really great games that we usually hear a lot about beforehand. In an ideal world, games would be announced on their release date. I think I already know more of Brütal Legend and Heavy Rain, for example, than I would have wanted, but I'm avoiding reading and seeing anything else about them before I play them. Almost watched the opening cinematic of Brütal Legend today, then realized I want to do that only when I play the demo (probably can't wait till the release, hehe). I don't know much about Dragon Age besides what those somewhat stupid trailers showed and what was discussed on Idle Thumbs, but I'm hoping that game will end up surprising me positively.

So I should not get a DS just to play this, then?

[edit]oh, didn't read the title completely. the hack I posted was not really amusing or something I'm proud of. my favourite is increasing a number in the name of a CSS or JavaScript file whenever the file changes: to force Internet Explorer to not use the cached version.

Jim Rossignol has written a retrospective for EG and also mentions some mods.

The complete mod is not just graphics, but many small changes without completely changing the game. Oblivion Lost has drivable cars, right? I'm not sure how well that fits into a game that is not designed for that. I think the areas in Stalker are rather small actually: originally it was supposed to be one huge area with no loading if I remember correctly. Cars would fit well in larger areas. I don't think a mod can really make the game true to the original concept (the game was originally called Oblivion Lost actually, wasn't it? and the team was completely changed in the middle of development?) and something that only goes half-way doesn't appeal to me. Still, I might give it a try after I've played through with the Complete mod (but I have to clear some of my backlog first).

It should

Yeah those crates are horrible. I can't remember if I've gotten over those or not. Still, I guess it's better that they put it in the beginning of the level, rather than in the end (unless the level has even more difficult obstacles)

We will force you to like it!

Isn't it 30 minutes? I just tried an extreme level earlier and noticed I had been playing it for 25 minutes when I gave up. Anyway, I think this is bullshit, they shouldn't do this. The levels where the time limit is an issue are already painful, it's like torture to almost finish a really hard level and then hit a time limit. Had this happen to me in Trials 2 on the PC. Frankly, I think that while Trials is fun and I like it (at least before the Extreme difficulty), there's a lot of bad game/level design in there as well. I would even say that some of the challenge in the harder levels is achieved with bad game design. Or maybe I'm just a wussy.

What, how does that make sense? It only does if salaries and costs of things are equal numerically, which is "rarely" the case.

For the record: I didn't

You were a second or so ahead of everyone else on all levels. Must have fast fingers indeed. Also, forgot to mention I played your level and it was quite fun!

Today I managed to beat most of you (except Horticulture Tycoon) in the Beginner levels. Hort, do you have a faster bike or something? (I have the 4th bike, don't remember the name, 250cc I think) Perhaps I should put on a top ghost.

Save your lover, my lord!

Recommendation seconded. One of my favourite books from the Strugatskys, actually, and almost no one writes better sci-fi. The movie is also great (but extremely slow paced), if you can find it.

I loved the game. It was Stalker that made me upgrade my computer (I still have that same system and it still plays most games well enough, only the motherboard is different because the old one failed). I am planning to play it again with the Complete mod, even downloaded it once, but had to delete it when I ran out of disk space. Have to finish some other games and delete them (Or get a new hard disk. ), then I can go back to Stalker.

Went into a game store and since I couldn't find anything else interesting, thought I'd pick up Batman. Then I looked at the price: ~100$ USD*. Um... no thanks, I'll wait for the cheaper, better looking PC version (60$). *actually, that's roughly the price of most new AAA Xbox 360 & PS3 games here, more often they're 80-90 though.

How good is it for non-first-person games? I saw Gish listed in the supported games section.

Aarrghh... I really love Penumbra, and I really want to play it with the Falcon, but I don't know how much I would actually use this and I don't want another peripheral I won't use. Of course, I could sell if after playing a few games, I guess.

Hapbaboothday!

Great cast! I've been thinking of maybe getting the Falcon, but it seems like something I would use a couple of games and then just leave it gathering dust somewhere. Should read some reviews of it. I would totally love replaying Penumbra & Half-Life 2 with this though.

This is pretty fun: http://chaosedge.wordpress.com/2009/09/09/the-myth-behind-mythora/ They put a game "Myhtora" for sale on their web store, but seemingly didn't expect anyone to actually buy it: the boxed game CD sent to ChaosEdge was burned a few days after it was ordered, the same day it was shipped.