Java Game Promotion

General Discussions
#1

I’ve been doing Java game coding for a while now, and the internet really seems to have changed over the last 7 years or so.

Back around 2000 when I released a game, I could go to one of many large Java link pages and submit my games (ArcadePod, for instance).

Lurking around the internet these days, I can’t find any large java game links pages anymore, and many of the old ones I knew are either gone or clearly abandoned. It seems that everywhere offers flash only games and flash links pages.

So how do you promote Java games these days? Are there good sites to go to and see java links from many sites?

Thanks,
~ Random

#2

Just embed the JRE (except on Mac OS X, where you can’t) and promote it like any regular game. People don’t care what programming language was used to write the game. What they care about is how fun the game is.

Two exceptions:

  1. On Mac OS X, you can’t embed the JRE. You just have to specify that it requires the Mac OS X version number that comes with the version of Java you need.

  2. For applets, you don’t have alot of choice. Try to aim at an older version of Java that most computers will have installed by default. You can use the applet tag to send the visitor to Java’s website to download the newest JRE if their JRE isn’t good enough.

#3

We use applets (in all we have 20 finished games and more coming)

Most of our games are compiled in Java 1.4, although some older ones in 1.2. Our two most recent now require 1.5.

We offer links on our web pages to get the most recent version of Java if people have an out of date version, and we have an extensive help page to help people get started in Java.

My problem is promotion. There are plenty of large Flash only sites (New Grounds, for instance) that refuse to take Java submissions… (I’ve asked them repeatedly). Searching for free links pages (which used to be a major form of free advertising) and almost every one only accepts flash games.

IF there is a link site out there that still includes Java games and is running, I’d like to know about it. Otherwise, is the only way to promote java games through paid advertising at this point?

~ Random

#4

Or is there an alternate form of free media for getting word out about your new games?

~ Random

#5

flash pretty much won the war for browser games. i guess you could ask http://www.javagameplay.com/ to link to you :stuck_out_tongue:

#6

Hmmm…still, I don’t think the Flash has “won the war” is is correct, sorry. Go to sites like Pogo.com and there is a mix of technologies. Yes, Flash has crazy momentum, but there are several things that have occurred that is helping a resurgence in Java game development. Principal among them is the BluRay adoption. You are going to see a ton of content that will make their way between the web and BluRay. As well, speaking to several developers at GDC this year, there is a renewed interest in Java. One very prominent game company that uses Java already stated that they are going back, and are ready to, promote Java again.

And to be clear, it’s not that Flash is great, but Director is fantastic.

-Chris

#7

There’s http://javaboutique.internet.com/games/ . The problem with it is that they let people post your applet on their own sites. I don’t know whether you like that idea or not.

#8

I think that if you have some money to spent for your promotion a good starting point could be to buy the following adword on google …
“web game”, “online game” , “play online”

#9

javagameplay is excellent!!! ;D