Java 6 support to be dropped

I'm about to drop the Java 6 support in Open Imperium Galactica. This means the game won't run on Java 6 anymore, nor the source code will be compatible with Java 6.

The reason for this is twofold:

• Java 7 language features allow me to write less code for the same purpose. This helps in maintaining and improving the game.
• The official Oracle support for Java 6 has ended, which might leave your system vulnerable to Applet based exploits, not to mention the performance drawbacks.

The upcoming version 0.96 with the multiplayer will use Java 7 only. My expected delivery time is about 1 month from now. The change will affect the Launcher as well. Since Java 6 won't run Java 7 class files, I'll add a small Java 6 bootstrap code that warns the user about the version problem.

Multiplayer started

I started working on the multiplayer. To simplify the development process, I designed the multiplayer setup screen with regular Java UI elements instead of Open-IG graphics.

Game organizers will be able to set up all game parameters similar to a skirmish game. AI players may be added to the game as well, which can be in the same group as the human players.

Game organizers may allow the client users to select their own properties: race, icon, traits and groups.

Announcement: Permission received from DR

ANNOUNCEMENT

I'm happy to report that I signed a contract with Digital Reality (the original developers who own the rights to Imperium Galactica again) and I received the official permission to use the original Imperium Galactica resources in this Open Imperium Galactica project, and make them or any modified/derived resources freely downloadable from this site.

In other terms, Open Imperium Galactica is now a completely legal project and you, the users can freely and legally download and play the game.

Soon I'll compose a FAQ about the subtle details of this contract and how it affects the LGPL part of the project.

Game version 0.95.130 released

Notable changes:

• Fixed the overlapping of Hubble 1 and Hubble 2 in the production screen, preventing the latter to be built if run with skirmish set to level 6. Note that Hubble 1 is a campaign-scripted satellite, and can't be really deployed. [Issue #720]
• Players can now build previously non-buildable tech in skirmish (e.g., Thorin @ lvl 6).
• Added option to campaign editor's copy feature to make copy of the default labels.

Game version 0.95.129 released

Notable changes:

• Fixed issue with non-human police stations not getting workers and power in case an earlier game was  loaded with a newer Open-IG version. [Issue #719]

Game version 0.95.128 released

Notable changes:

• Changed timing of mission 7 (protect traders) and mission 13  (escort Benson): there is less chance they overlap and the player can reach both parties if playing with pre-hyperdrive trait (Issue 718)

Uninstall all Java in batch

I usually have Java 6, 7 and 8 installed on my (Windows) machines, but whenever an update comes out, I have to manually, one-by-one uninstall them from the control panel. For 64 bit systems, this is doubled. However, I found a command which can do this automatically and for multiple versions at the same time.

You only need to create a batch file with the following content, and run it as administrator:


wmic product where "name like 'Java(TM) 6%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive
wmic product where "name like 'Java(TM) SE%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive
wmic product where "name like 'Java 6%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive
wmic product where "name like 'Java 7%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive
wmic product where "name like 'Java 8%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive
wmic product where "name like 'Java SE%%'" call uninstall /nointeractive