This site was set up to support the "Zombies, Mutants, and Undead oh My" (ZMUohMy) text based MUD that is based on the Red Dwarf game systems. It is an extension to the DarkMud 7400 Laboratory for Project DarkStar (PDS) from JavaOne 2008.

Update(Sept 21, 2020)
With the Darkstar server gone, this project was put in limbo. I have made some minor efforts to do it in Unity, but other activities take up my time.
With Amazon's New World MMO game coming out, I am taking off my developer hat and will just be a gamer.
I have set up a support site, New World Resources, to help people out and store my findings. It has real guides and information tables for gathering and crafting. Have fun.

Update(April 27, 2016)
Well pfoo. Seems Javanet is closing down. I've copied the SVN and Download files to javanet on this server. Working on other projects right now, but the Client effort turned out ok. Have fun.

Update(March 29, 2016)
New Client is progressing, but the Java 3D uses AWT which interfers with Java Swing display. Changing to a simpler Java 2D display of the room locations. This will let me get back to basic game mechanics.

Update(March 20, 2016)
First cut at the new Client is done. Enough operation to now link it to the Server. The details will get filled in as I bring Server game functions online. Things like inventory, skills, assignments, and combat.

Update(March 16, 2016)
Finally have time to get back to the ZMUohMy project. Starting with a new Client design with a better interface and cleaner code using all of the information gained by upgrading the tutorials and demos.

Update(March 4, 2016)
Started a new port. This one is the popular Bunny-Hunters game. This will a slower effort than SGS-TANK as I have other priorities. This game is more complex, but a better example of game programming using the RedDwarf (Darkstar) system.
Right now the Client connects, but then the Server errors on adding players.
The NetBeans project and docs are in the Bunny-Hunters_Project trunk/NetBeans for checkout. Have Fun.

Update(March 2, 2016)
Cleaned up architecture and message flow for SGS-TANK_Project. 99% complete game, with a few minor issues remaining.
It has Chat and Arenas (Games) you can join. The tanks drive around and shoot. Multiple clients can be run from NetBeans.

The NetBeans project and docs are in the SGS-TANK_Project trunk/NetBeans for checkout. Have Fun.

Update(February 29, 2016)
Finish the first cut at porting in the sgs-tank demo project from 10 years ago. It's about as simple as you can get for an interactive multi-player game.
It has Chat and Arenas (Games) you can join. The tanks drive around and shoot, but I'm still working through the rough (read bugs) edges.
The NetBeans project and docs are in the SGS-TANK_Project trunk/NetBeans for checkout. Have Fun.

Update(February 22, 2016)
Added the Sword World example game used with the HUC Client. All tutorial lessons for the Server and Client have now been demonstrated.
These are all in the RDTP project under trunk/NetBeans for checkout. Have Fun.

Update(February 21, 2016)
Added Server Lesson 6 and Client Lesson 2 of tutorials.
Also started porting the sgs-tank demo game. It's very much a work in progress and is in the SGS-TANK_Project directory under trunk/NetBeans for checkout.

Update(February 17, 2016)
Added Lessons 4 & 5 of the original PDS server tutorials. Also added Lesson 1 of the Client tutorial. Client-Server communications is now available. These are all under the RDTP directory under trunk/NetBeans for checkout.

Update(February 15, 2016)
Added Lessons 1-3 of the original PDS server tutorials. I also put copies of the original RedDwarf Server App Tutorial and RedDwarf Server Client Tutorial documents in the Download area.

Update(February 14, 2016)
Starting to go back and review the original PDS server tutorials. I've added a RDTP under the trunk/NetBeans for checkout. Lesson1 is up. I'll add more as time is available.

Update(February 13, 2016)
Added a link to javanet forums to the GAME FORUMS sidebar link. Also added some more topic areas for the Forums there.

Update(January 31, 2016)
Added an I2C Slave Tutorials section to the Projects area on the Pearson Consulting sub-site.

Update(December 5, 2015)
Made a combined project under the /trunk/NetBeans/ that includes the DarkStar server and client files need to build and run ZMUohMy.
See New Trunk Project.

Update(December 11, 2014)
Fixed the problem with the Rooms not popping up when the Player enters them. Did some more code clean up. Added a Client screen shot to the project front page.

Update(December 2, 2014)
Found a copy of the SGS Project Darkstar Chat example that used Maven. I build a NetBeans project with the source and updated it to sgs-0.10.2 dist files. The whole project and dist files can be found as ZMUchat in the NetBeans section of the trunk.

Update(November 28, 2014)
Just a note that I ran through and logged the steps to get, build, and run the Server and Client. All the gory details are in Redux_2014.html.

Update(November 25, 2014)
More AVR assembly code examples and other content added to Pearson Consulting sub-site.

Update(November 18, 2014)
Most of my focus has been on my Pearson Consulting sub-site. Working on AVR assembly code projects with a view to robots.
Game development is still on hold, but I did go through and make sure everything at least runs with 0.10.2.1 server. I had to disable the Java3D being used by the Server, but that wasn't needed and should have been done differently. The log is on the download page on Java.net.
In the mean time, I still jot down ideas as they pop up. I plan to pursue the dynamic NPC concept for better PC-NPC interactions.

Update(August 24, 2014)
Added Pearson Consulting sub-site. Had always wanted an area to post my projects and other interests. Game development is still on hold while I am focused on micro-controller projects.

Update(July 21, 2013)
Added login support and a guest:guest account. Some content added and better CSS use to Galactic Dust and some general cleanup. Character management next then some game mechanics.

Updates(July 12, 2013)
Added graphics and better CSS use to Galactic Dust and a bit of JavaScript to test out Yahoo's hosting. Almost ready to add the Login support.

New Project(July 4, 2013)
Well, seem DarkStar is fading and I can never find the time to into this. So, I'm startng a simpler game that I've been developing for about 20 years now. It's working title is now Galactic Dust and I've structured it so that I can add bits and pieces as time allows.

Now on YAHOO (May 20, 2012)
Ok, I finally gave in and gave up using my onw servers for the site. It's now on YAHOO. No free time to do anything else, but at least it will always be up. Also note the new contact e-mail address.
You can build the Server and Client and run locally. If I do get time, I'll bring up a game server as before. Good hunting.

Still Busy (Nov 11, 2011)
Removed the Client download files since they were way out of date. The best Client can be had by getting the project with SVN and building the Client and Common projects in NetBeans.

Still Busy (Nov 4, 2011)
Day job still taking up all my time. Have shut down the game until I can fix the Follow-Me bug. It doesn't affect game play, but it does spew out error messages on the consol log.

Clean Ups (May 24, 2011)
General page and link clean up.

Update(Mar 10, 2011)
Been a bit busy with the day job. Have a new plan for the Client. Going to move to hot keys and icons. Using the standard UI keys like 'C' for character sheet, 'J' for quest journal, etc. and having the ENTER key switch between hot key and text command entry modes. This moves the UI to pop-up windows and icons for movement also. Stay tuned to see how it goes.

Update (Dec 7, 2010)Added the PositionMessage to the MessageFactory and a first cut at displaying red dots where things move.
This is the basic framework. Now to add better avatar management and smooth movement. Only Windows client is up.

Update (Nov 7, 2010)Updated the properties file to show all the Hallways. This will give you an idea of how large the complex is.  The northern rooms and the Physical Plant rooms will also display in the 3D Client as you wander around.
Next step is to work on the MessageFactory to support broadcasting Arrival events to all Clients. This will allow a real time display of activity (i.e. people and things moving around).

You can download the Java Client by clicking on the DOWNLOAD CLIENT icon. You'll need Jave 3D installed to run it. Working on a non-3D and a 2D Client.

If you have questions or comments, please submit them to admin@gameactive.org for review.