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migrated from stackoverflow.com May 24 '11 at 12:50

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4 Answers

You could make a browser based game do that and it would be fine. That kind of sounds like Minecraft; you can play it in the browser, and I'm pretty sure you can do anything in the browser version as the desktop version, including multiplayer.

If you wanted to write the game in Java you could use something like Slick or another library that makes it easy to create both a desktop and applet versions. But if you have significantly more experience in one language than the other you might want to pick the language you've used the most.

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Isn't the browser version of Minecraft really old? –  Brendan Long May 24 '11 at 0:14
The most recent version can also be played in the browser, but you have to buy the game to play it. Minecraft Classic is free to play in the browser, and compared to the current version its old, but it still works as a proof of concept; its less than 2 years old. –  Anonymous May 24 '11 at 0:20
"Isn't the browser version of Minecraft really old?" There are two versions on minecraft, both can work in the browser, one is free, other is paid. –  MMavipc May 24 '11 at 0:22
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I personally think C++ would be the best way to go, but I may be biased. Minecraft has hundreds on blocks and in written in java.

Java pros:

  • Cross platform with minimal effort
  • Can be run in a browser

Java cons:

  • Might be a little slower. If JIT is not used, it would be a lot slower.
  • May use more memory
  • Less control over low-level stuff

C++ pros:

  • May be faster
  • May use less memory
  • More control over low-level stuff

C++ cons:

  • Can't be run from a browser
  • More effort required for it to be cross platform
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"May be a little slower unless JIT compiling is not used, then it would be a lot slower" Seems extremely backwards to me. JIT is what makes Java faster than C++ in many cases. –  GManNickG May 24 '11 at 0:17
Re-read it, I'm saying that it would be a lot slower if the JIT was not used, I'm not sure if there are any cases where this would be true –  MMavipc May 24 '11 at 0:21
@MMavipc: I see, that's awkwardly phrased to me. :) How about: "Might be a little slower. If JIT is not used, it would be a lot slower."? –  GManNickG May 24 '11 at 0:28
@MMavipc: "C++ cons: Can't be run from a browser" is not 100% true, as you can use Adobe Alchemy to convert C++ code into AS3 code. "Alchemy is a research project that allows users to compile C and C++ code that is targeted to run on the open source ActionScript Virtual Machine (AVM2)." (aka Flash Player) labs.adobe.com/technologies/alchemy –  Anonymous May 24 '11 at 0:34
@GMan: edited it, thanks. also, awsome name –  MMavipc May 24 '11 at 0:34
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Main site: http://unity3d.com/


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A few things that haven't been brought up yet.



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