I think we should define some “standard” library, like Java3D, lwjgl. Others will be released with the code and will be entered in package size.
Obviously, used libraries will be FREE libraries 
Well I think any “standard extensions” that are available from java.sun.com should be allowed. Java3D being the most obvious for this event.
lwjgl - makes sense that it would be allowed.
gl3java - if we allow lwjgl then gl4java should be included
Any libraries that are based on native code should be thin access layers like lwjgl. If the library is pure Java, maybe it makes more sense to allow it to be a more significant part of the game logic… e.g. a physics library
We don’t want to give the impression that a significant amount of the work is done in native code.
No native code in contest if possible (except for external library)…
[quote]Most audially/visually stunning.
[/quote]
Let’s divide that into 2 awards; one for audio/music and one for visuals.
First Cut of Contest Rules*
A valid entry must be (a) written in Java [or mostly Java?], and (b) be a finished [or nearly finished/“playable”?] game rather than a demo.
Entries may utilise a number of recognised libraries, detailed below. All non-library source code must be made freely available at time of submission [under a recognised Open Source or Free Software licence? Probably BSD, GPL or PD?]. Library source code need not be supplied, and may not necessarily even be available. However, any used libraries must be easily obtainable at zero cost to the user (no restriction on cost to the developer [?]).
Any JDK may be targeted, up to the most recently available widely-supported public release (no betas), currently 1.4.1_01 on Windows, Solaris and Linux [MacOSX?].
[or should entries be restricted to one or a small number of JDKs? Known bugs in certain releases may make this unpopular, but it stops the judges having to install 33 different Java environments…]
Recognised external (i.e. non-J2SE) libraries are as follows:
Java3D
GL4Java
LWJGL
JSDL [?]
Planetation [?]
[Any other graphical libraries?]
JMF [?]
SWT [?]
SPGL [?]
[Any other support libraries?]
[Any image-loading libraries?]
[Anything else?]
[Start date? Duration of contest?]
[Multiple entries allowed/disallowed?]
All entries will be judged [in some way], with awards given in the following categories: [List to be discussed and agreed; lots of suggestions follow]
Best overall (Grand Prize)
Best work under 4KB [including/excluding libraries? 4KB of source or binaries?]
Best work under 16KB [including/excluding libraries? 16KB of source or binaries?]
Best work under 64KB [including/excluding libraries? 64KB of source or binaries?]
Best “100% pure Java” under [XXXX]KB
Most technically impressive
Best aural experience
Best visual experience
Most fun
Gratuitous use of Llamas
Most likely to cause Sleepless Nights
These are not to be taken seriously, folks
Honest, this entire list is bogus - they all need to be discussed
Congratulations on reading this far!
[Material prizes, or just recognition?]
- This is NOT meant to be the final rules! This text must be DISCUSSED and REFINED.
Edit: Added awards
Only java, no native code (for compatibility purpose and it is a Java contest, isn’t it ?) !
Yeah, the game will not have to be necessary finished, but playable, and without bug !
For the rest, it seems to be correct…
++
Chman
Always include a “Grand Prix” aka “Unlimited” category, where people with unlimited time and resources can compete! I wouldn’t mind putting XAP up against Magicosm or whatever; I don’t reckon it would win necessarily but without the category there’s a bunch of games that can’t be entered!
Cas
I don’t see the interest in making a “Grand Prix” category, because there’s no time limit, and so there couldn’t be any winner…
[quote]and without bug !
[/quote]
Hmmm… That would have counted out Half-Life and about every other AAA title.
Especially larger games are likely to have a bug or two (most likely a lot more).
As long as its not too critical, a bug should not exclude a submission.
Ok everyone, I will try and compile a contest outline over the next day or so that incorporates all of the ideas here into a format that we can follow. As well, I am trying to get some prizes (perhaps even a Cobalt server for the best overall demo :), but no guarantees) and am trying to get prizes from some of our partners (i.e. Sony, ATI, etc.) I will let everyone know the details later this week.
-SG
Good good good news ! ;D
sounds great 
i already started to code anyways (the voices in my head forced me… i’m innocent) :x
wow, can’t believe I completely missed this Thread :o
(actually heard about it on CFXWeb ;D)
just 1 more issue :-
do entrants have to be original creations?
or will that be dependant on the category?
or is it whatever you can muster 
(past and present)
For the moment, nothing has been defined; but we are waiting for the contest outline…
Hey everyone!
Ok, I am working to get some prizes together before I finish getting the contest rules out. I am on the west coast the first half of next week at corporate but will try to update everyone before I return from CA.
This contest should be awesome!
Good evening citizens!
-SG
Thank SG for setting up this contest !
So it’s not going to have any particular relation to the GDC any more then? (given that we only have, what, 1-2 weeks left before the GDC?)
If so, can I suggest you apply for a slot at the GDCE, although they may push you in the direction of the IGF (Independent Games Festival) instead.
From the number of people who said in the “Who’s going to GDC?” thread “I can’t, I’m in Europe”, perhaps there’s a chance of a good turnout at a GDCE/JGO event.
Also, conveniently, submissions for GDCE are only just starting to open, so there’s plenty of time to get it all set up…
How about a free VIP pass to next years GDC as the grand prize! Just a thought…
yeah, or an E3 VIP pass for 2004 ??? ;D
so that everyone would be happy, how about make a cd
that contain’s latest java version and all the entries(with needed libraries) that are release quality(no bad bugs,etc…),then put it on
pc/gaming magazine’s.