Javoids
Javoids is simply a java based asteroids game. Don't let that fool you though, Javoids is much more than a simple line drawing clone. Javoids features hand drawn images, sounds (some custom made), a unique arsenal to destroy the Javoids, along with some new twists like black holes, mines and power ups, and an Easter Egg.

There is a configuration file so that you can customize the controls and save them for use another time. A handy menu allows you to set the number of lives for a longer game while another option lets you set the delay if it's running to quickly or too slowly. There is a handy context menu that includes things like an exit option, and the ability to toggle the sound on and off. Javoids now features a high score table that contains your top 10 scores. If Javoids asks you to set some properties this is only to allow it to read files and store the high scores.

System requirements
  • Tested with JRE version 1.6.0 Build 27 GA5 (2013-02-17)


Javoids on an eComStation machine with Open JDK


Installing Javoids
Download the file Javoids1.045.jar. Create a folder (directory) "javoids" or something similar which fits your needs. Copy the file "Javoids1.045.jar" to the new created folder (directory). That's it!. You can find more info (manual) on the Javoids site.

The used javoids.cmd file
Javoids works with Open JDK in OS/2-eCS. I have made a "javoids.cmd" file with the following contents; 
@echo off
set CLASSPATH=
set BEGINLIBPATH=[drive: java]\JAVA160ga5\bin
set path=[drive: java]\JAVA160ga5\bin
[drive: javoids]
cd [drive: javoids]\javoids
java -Duser.home=[drive: javoids]\javoids -jar Javoids1.045.jar 2>javoids-bugs.txt
I use 2 separate folders (directories), one for Java and one for Javoids with the files created by this program. The references used in the cmd file;

  • [drive: java] = drive with Java
  • [drive: javoids] = drive with Javoids

should be replaced by real drive letters. Adjust the file from the distribution below, ie. different drive and directories. Save "javoids.cmd" and copy it to the "javoids" folder(directory) or your choice of folder(directory).

Create a new program object. Specify the path and file name: "[drive: javoids]\javoids\javoids.cmd". In the tabpage Session check the boxes "OS/2 window", "Running as an icon" and "Close Window to end program". In the tabpage General you can enter the name "Javoids". The download also has an OS/2 icon.

I want to point out that this is a way to start the program, OS/2 and its successors do have much more ways for starting a java program.

Parameters / options explained
  • The specification "-Duser.home=[drive: javoids]\javoids" will ensure that Javoids will save all necessary files in own directory instead of saving them in the home directory.
  • The addition "2>javoids-bugs.txt" ensures that errors are saved in the file "javoids-bugs.txt". The 2 in "2>" is not a typo! The file stays not empty on my machine, there is one bug.

Download
In the file you can find all necessary files, all drive letters in the command file are on set to C:. You can download it here: javoids-os2.zip. Mind that you also need to download Javoids1.045.jar.

revision July 30, 2020