Isn’t this a bit overly restrictive? I was planning on resubmitting my poker server/client this year, modified to not use the command line for the server address input, but I’m not sure an Applet can act as a server, or even connect to a server?
Less than a week to go now ;D
Tried the Java 1.0 keyboard event model, but only managed to save about 6 bytes, which was rather strange as enableEvents() was no longer required. Probably ‘enable’ and ‘Event’ occurred elsewhere and compression did the rest.
The java penetration thread elsewhere on this site makes interesting reading, with java 1.6 installs really taking off now, but java 1.5 still having a large user base. 1.4.2 seems to be down to 5%. I’ll probably code for 1.4.2 once more out of force of habit, but 1.5 now looks the better target.
It has been particularly wet and windy in the UK this last week or so, with the result that I spent last Sunday refactoring my isometric game codebase into 4k.
Note that the Applet-only restriction only applies to the end-user part of the game. As long as the end-user can play the game in a web browser, just like should be the norm, that game qualifies. You may of course write some server application that the game interacts with. I am not knowledgeable enough of Applets to know if you can host that server wherever, maybe you can with a signed Applet. Perhaps I can look into hosting it, but I am skeptical about it since running third-party processes on the machine is dubious.
But I am willing to accommodate anyone that wishes it. Just need to talk to me in order to find a solution that works.
The website will be updated over the weekend, and the new rules will be put up.
5 days ;D
Has there been a decision on how to handle scoring for games where one judge couldn’t start the game? Also, will they be asked to try it on multiple platforms? I understand if this is not the case, of course.
Just to clarify, I assume the total size of the entire project (including server parts) must not exceed 4KB, the only exception being jnlp files or applet tags on the condition that those don’t inject any data or logic into the game.
You’re correct.
And I have to just add that as usual, I’m really excited about this. 
I’ve got about four games I want to make, but I doubt I’ll have time for all of them.
Four games, gosh!! It’s taken me 6 months just to think of an idea for one!! Just thought of one today… No revolving screens this time! Am in!
I’ll probably do one or two, but won’t be entering them (since judging this time round). However, can’t be left out of the fun! 
Kev
[quote]I’ll probably do one or two, but won’t be entering them (since judging this time round). However, can’t be left out of the fun!
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Thats a little unfair for u… I wouldn’t object to a standby judge to judge judges entries… Mind u, I can see the complications it could cause…
Na, it’s all good, just fun to write 4k games!
Kev
Last year I submitted a single 4K jar that contained both client and server, but the apparent consensus on the forum was that passing the server’s address as a start-up parameter violated the unspoken rule against inserting data via the command line.
My intention this year would be to submit a 4K jar, only modified to not use the command line for the server address.
Any thoughts on how the applets will be presented? Will this be explained in the rules update?
Thoughts:
- Provide an html page with the required tags (and size attributes). I’d like to put the instructions on the page, with images for the various game objects, so would like to include some image files.
OR
- Provide Applet size and width to Java4k.com and upload jar and text only description. Java4k does the rest.
Generally feeling keen and edgy 
I would imagine that the second method would be the most equitable… i.e. the judges are not influenced by a fantastically presented html page.
Rules question:
Obviously, it’s illegal to host your images externally and have your program load them over the internet. But would it be okay to load random resources (using Google image search or the like)?
There is (was) quite a nice server application which allowed you to destroy (nuke, wandering monsters etc) a specified web page. Another thought is to do a screen grab, detect the various window edges and play around with it. However these are all external resources so not within the game rules as they stand. [quote] “Must be self-contained- no external resources (e.g. loading an image from a website)”
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Also you’d need to sign the applet.
I wonder whether using the microphone as an input device would be allowable. Again there is a security permission problem when you attempt to access it (assuming there is one of course). I think this might result in an automatic dialog requesting permission (Edit: No - needs signing), rather than an outright refusal, but haven’t tried it. Thinking about singing games, or rhythmic clapping, or maybe voice controlled. I think allowing user input this way would be within the spirit of the rules. Using the microphone (or line input) to input prerecorded sound (e.g. music) would probably count as an external resource and should not be allowed. What do people think?
(I’m going to do a quick tech demo to see what security dialogs come up)
EDIT: Looks like I’d need to sign the applet.
EDIT2: Done Tech Demo and the app either needs signing (or the user policy editing). However my demo is loads of fun already, so I’m proposing to submit a self-signed applet with user microphone input, dependent on whether this is considered Ok. A more important question is “can the judges whistle” as it looks likely to be a key skill - I’m considering a sheep dog trials game.
just some notes concerning java and osx:
apple no longer supports java for all mac users
powerpc macs only can run java 1.4 automatically (1.5 if user installs it manually)
32bit intel macs run java 1.5 but NOT 1.6
64bit intel macs run also java 1.6 (if manually installed)
so java version 1.4 is safe to run on any mac
with java 1.5 some mac users will be unable to get the games running
java 1.6 games are unplayable for most mac users
It was permitted last year (see Frequent Flier) but two of the judges were unable to get it to detect their microphones.