I didn't know which section to post this in so I put it in the Lounge. Well I am stuck trying to make a decision on how to go about making/finishing my game, I want the opinions of all programmers out here. My decision is to stick with JAVA and have a low-profile game, and multi-platform, or to start over in C++ and use Direct X 8.0 and make a game with much better graphics and performance. I would have just immediately stuck to JAVA if I could find a way to use 3D graphics without JAVA3D API and could have gotten the server and client set up correctly, I only know how to do this correctly in C++, but to go to full C++ is what I am scared to do, I would have to learn ALL of the language and that will put me behind on an already late schedule... If you think I should use C++, I will do my best to learn it (links would be nice too for tutorials that are for DX8 and work on Visual C++ 5.0) And if you think I should go ahead and stick to JAVA (I would like some links that will show how to do decent 3D graphics without J3D and how to do a server, mainly the chat part is what I need with private and public support) Unless you can think of another language I should use and have tutorials for those. I will allow any constructive criticism on what to stick to for now on. PS I hope that I could get this game out by my last day in High School (and on my 18th B-Day) May 14, 2010.

The basic concepts tend to be the same regardless of which API or language you choose, be it for graphics or networking.

When designing an application from scratch, it is good to list the known requirements at an abstract level first - for example, "implement socket client and server" does not imply or require any specific language. Then, one would go through the list and determine the best language and APIs based on the requirements of the project as well as the skillset of the parties involved.

Both Java and C++ have their pros and cons. Java is good for cross-platform development (same binary works on multiple platforms), while C++ has to be compiled (as well as possibly code modified) separately for different platforms but usually results in native binaries (potentially better performance).

You should always use the latest available tools for programming. VC++ 5.0 and D3D8 are ancient and should not be used for new projects. Modern equivalents are available for free for anyone, and if you're at a qualifying school, you can get very powerful enterprise-grade tools (for Microsoft stuff, MSDN Team Suite Premium) at your disposal for next to nothing.

If making a game is your first priority regardless of language/API, I would recommend C# and XNA over Java or C++ anyway, for the fact that XNA has a lot of game-oriented boilerplate stuff implemented for you and you can concentrate on making content and game-specific code.

Remember, the most important thing is that you get the project started, rolling and done! Therefore, stick to something and get coding!