[Scummvm-devel] Java port of SCUMM

[VGDB]

Hi James,

Thanks for your response.

I originally wanted to publish the source code of the Java port/rewrite on
the ScummVM official site.
Though most of the code is clearly the same, maybe you could consider this
work like a subproject.

As for the clear distinction you ask, I will rename the project as JavaScumm
(or something like this)
and just publish the source code and says it is based on ScummVM.

Maybe I am insane :)

Here are a few reasons that make me think it is still an interesting idea:
- When support for Ms-Dos will completely vanish in NextGen operating
systems, only emulation or ScummVM-like engines will allow to play again
these games. If the project is java'ized, you can extend even more its
lifetime...
- Java is available on many platforms and even embedded in smartphones and
the like. If you want to have a port for a new model of phone or handheld
device, you need to write a dedicated port. A Java port could open new
horizons and make ScummVM available more easily on a lot of NextGen
platforms.
- Most of people nowadays are lazy to install a software and configure it.
They often prefer web facilities like ActiveX, Flash or Java applets.
Playing Beneath a Steel Sky in your favorite browser in a matter of seconds
does not sound interesting ?
- I can find bugs in the normal source code. Since Java is more restrictive
than C/C++, bugs are easier to locate.
For example, in sky\screen.h, _seqGrid should have 20 * 12 +1 as size or you
could experience an out of bounds memory access.
- It is better to understand code that you rewrite and debug than code that
you only read...
- It is fun...
- It makes me happy... :)
- People that created ScummVM are insane too...

Best regards,
Julien 'Gollum' Frelat

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James 'Ender' Brown" <ender at scummvm.org>
To: "VGDB" <vgdb at consolemul.com>
Cc: <scummvm-devel at lists.sourceforge.net>
Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 3:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Scummvm-devel] Java port of SCUMM


> I suppose I should put a semi-official response from the ScummVM team
> here, after all.
>
> ScummVM is GPLed, so as long as the license is obeyed, you can of course
> do whatever you want with it. I would ask that you make sure there is a
> clear distinction between your Java rewrite and the REAL program.
>
> As for the project, it sounds... intresting.
>
> I personally think it is an incredibly silly and pointless idea, and the
> large majority of the channel thinks you are insane - but if it makes
> you happy, go ahead :)
>
>  - James 'Ender' Brown
>    Co-Project Leader,
>    ScummVM
>
>
> On Fri, 2004-02-20 at 02:57, Andreas Røsdal wrote:
> > On Wed, 18 Feb 2004, VGDB wrote:
> > > Hi guys,
> > >
> > > I started a Java port of SCUMMVM (focusing first on Beneath A Steel
Sky part)
> > > Since Java is not C/C++, there is a lot of rewrite to do but I try to
keep the highest percentage of code from SCUMMVM in order to make easy to
maintain.
> > > My goal is to have a full port of SCUMMVM running in Java (certainly
in the form of a Java WebStart application) as well as a free online version
(small size applet with smart downloader included) to allow to play free
games (like BASS) and demos (like the one available on ScummVM site).
> > >
> > > Here is a work-in-progress screenshot of my work if you want to check.
> > > http://vgdb.consolemul.com/wip.jpg
> > >
> > > I just wanted to know how do you feel with this (as it is not a real
port) ?
> >
> > Hi VGDB,
> > This sounds like a pretty good idea to me, if you are able to produce
> > something which works without putting an enormous ammount of work into
it.
> > Have you released any code? Maybe I can help you out a little,
eventually.
> >
> > Andreas Røsdal
> >
> >
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