What a dedication 
It’s funny that people think that there is a direct connection between what language is used and how good the games look like.
well… its somewhat true in the ultra professional world…
Show many any 3D graphic that can’t be written in Java (OpenGL).
the best on this batch of shots…
Like a poster mentioned above, you will most likely want to do a mod for the following reasons:
- Cool graphics effects
- Control over the camera
- Collision detection
- Easier to learn
- Sound engine
I would suggest Unreal Script. I’ve used it in the past and its an Object Oriented language similar to java/c++.
Its very easy to make minor modifications. This translates into immediate “rewards” for your ego; meaning, you do a little bit of programming (modding a gun that shoots squirrels out or something) and now you feel like you have done something cool - all with like 20 lines of code.
Here is a link to a site that provides you with everything you need to know about modding Unreal. I used UT2k4 back when I did some modding of my own. (I actually wrote how to setup your environment in linux for programming Unreal Script).
http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki/UnrealScript_Lessons
I’m not trying to shy you away from Java3D. Just be aware, unless you have alot of free time you can devote to learning Java3D and 3D programming every day, the modding route will be a better learning tool for games programming at this point for you.
Good luck
darn, the college im going to has more bias towards c++, all the intro courses and forward are c++.
there is one java programming course, but I would rather be super at one language than dabble around.
sigh i guess id better get better for that, and this is annoying because my high school teachers java in the AP class,
and if i get 3,4,5 on the test, then i get credit for the intro to c++ course, then they would stick me right into a c++ course about data structures, classes, and link lists etc when i never done that before in c++!!