Hey.
I’ve been studying Java for a while now and feel like applying my knowledge to my passion. I might be new to Java game development, but not game development in general. So at the moment I’m just looking for some pointers on what engine to choose for developing games using the Java language ???. Yes it’s a “noob” question, but hearing it from the experienced guys will surely help a lot.
Thanks in advance. ;D
if you want a flash like experience with java applets, then theres no better library to use then PulpCore http://www.interactivepulp.com/pulpcore/ an example game can be seen here http://www.pulpgames.net/milpa/
if you want powerful and fast 2d games with Java then use the Slick2D library http://slick.cokeandcode.com With Slick2D you can create standalone games as well as applet games, it also has a great community.
if you want a light 3d engine which works reasonably easily in the browser, JPCT is the way to go http://www.jpct.net an example JPCT game can be found here http://www.cokeandcode.com/applets/jpct
If you want powerful 3d games with java on the level of modern 3d AAA titles, then jME http://www.jmonkeyengine.com or Ardor3d http://ardor3d.com are the libraries to use.
If you want to go old school and have direct access to low level libraries like OpenGL and OpenAL then LWJGL is the biniding to go for http://www.lwjgl.org
Just my opinion.
:o Wow… That was fast. Lol.
Anyway, thanks kapta. I’ll be sure to check 'em out.
Everything kapta said is spot on, but you don’t have to use an engine at all - see the 4K games for examples.
and if you want make nice looking & compatible 3d with few line of code 3DzzD is the way to go, here is a Applet 3D car sample game, similar sources code like the previous 3D car game are here 
Very nice references. Keep them in mind, but start simple.
Get a game/demo running with Java2D, preferably only drawing rectangles, make it playable, learn from it, let other people test it, post it here, and only then take a peek at all those highlevel APIs.
haha, I know one that kappa left out :).
GTGE http://www.goldenstudios.or.id/products/GTGE/
it is a pretty simple engine, and kinda does rob you of some of the basics of game programming. However though, it is quite nice for begginner programmers :).
Thanks for all the tips. Now it’s time to play around with these fine engines. See you guys in a little while…