itch.io

Hello,

I am a Java developer and also the games I have done recently are in Java. I was wondering if games are delivered and they tell players they need to have (or need to install) a Java JRE how much of a problem this is for the average player. I appreciate any general feedback but especially I am thinking about these questions:

1) Can one assume that most players have a JRE (maybe not the latest but at least one)?

2) Can one assume that the average player is able to install a JRE without additional instructions except a link to the Java website?

3) Do others maybe ship their Java games bundled with a JRE ready to run? I think this might be dangerous as this would be a java version that receives no security updates.

4) What does the itch.io Game type filter "Java" actually mean? I got the impression before that this is for Java applets directly loading in the browser form the itch.io page without download. I classified my game as "Downloadable" but actually it is Java as well. Should I use both?

Best Regards,

Sandcastle Games

Hello,

I have programmed noncommercial computer games before and even significantly participated in the development of the multi-player online roleplaying game project Illarion until I passed over the development to a new team around 2003. Illarion is still actively developed by later generations of developers so you might
call it a success.

Right now I search for a second activity next to my technical software development job that comes with less bureaucratic burdens. So I decided to invest some of my available time in games development and see where it takes me.

In the beginning there will be small games that are created more to get used to some recent technology in graphics and sound, deployment to mobile platforms and trying out different computer language choices.

I also have a website for Sandcastle Games which I use as brand for the games.

My skills currently are in the Java programming area with no specific knowledge about external libraries. In the past I tried to avoid external libraries and do everything on my own, but for the first game here I used OpenGL as well. There is another puzzle game in development with an original idea that I had for many years.

I have already seen that I will have problems promoting the games as I am a social media skeptic and don't use Facebook, Twitter etc. Maybe some networking here will help a little.

Crate Pusher is a 3D Sokoban clone puzzle game for Windows and Linux. It is a finished game and had a major update today.

Besides 90 new levels, a high score list and and improved map display there were several smaller updates. See the Devlog for more information.

I appreciate any comments.

This is my first game here on itch.io (but certainly not my first piece of software).

Crate Pusher is a 3D Sokoban clone. It runs on Windows and Linux. There are not many levels but you may load external level files that are available for other Sokoban's.

You can download for free from:

https://sandcastlegames.itch.io/crate-pusher

The game is installation free and portable.

I created this to learn about OpenGL and OpenAL programming and see how to use itch.io to deliver games. So I appreciate comments.

I intend to provide more games with original ideas but start with some easy things to refresh my knowledge on some game technology and maybe some other development platforms.

Find out more on the Sandcastle Games website and follow me on itch.io if you are interested in where it develops.

I appreciate the ease how to provide games on itch.io and being able to even sell in the future.