2nd PGD Challenge Questions!

[WILL]

I just want to be clear on your definition of a game engine. When you write game engine you are referring to an engine that e.g. is FPS were you basically just have to add game assets?
I take that it is ok to use a general purpose game engine (im my case JMonkey) written in a different language, as long as the games specific logic is pascal-based?

A "game engine" is properly defined as code which constitutes the main functionality or mechanics of gameplay of a game. A game engine packaged for use by other game developers to create a specific game also falls under this definition. There are two ways it can be provided however: open source or closed source. Closed source is not acceptable for use in this competition as it's about programing in Pascal not modding existing engines. Open source is only acceptable if it was written in or translated to some form of approved Pascal languages or dialects.

A more specificly geared library, CALLED "engine" for such things as graphics, audio/music or physics is not considered a "game engine" as defined by the rules of the PGD Challenge. So these are all acceptable, written in Pascal or not, as long as they can be used in your game code which is to be written in an approved "Pascal" language.

JMonkey is ok to use as far as I can tell since it would be defined as a physics library by the rules of this competition.

[pstudio]

A "game engine" is properly defined as code which constitutes the main functionality or mechanics of gameplay of a game. A game engine packaged for use by other game developers to create a specific game also falls under this definition. There are two ways it can be provided however: open source or closed source. Closed source is not acceptable for use in this competition as it's about programing in Pascal not modding existing engines. Open source is only acceptable if it was written in or translated to some form of approved Pascal languages or dialects.

A more specificly geared library, CALLED "engine" for such things as graphics, audio/music or physics is not considered a "game engine" as defined by the rules of the PGD Challenge. So these are all acceptable, written in Pascal or not, as long as they can be used in your game code which is to be written in an approved "Pascal" language.

In my world (and at least the university where I study game technology) a game engine does not necessarily contain the main mechanics of a game's gameplay. A general purpose game engine (like Unity3D e.g.) combines several specific systems like a 3D rendering engine, physics engine and sound engine and make them work seamless with each other. A specialized game engine (which is what you're referring to) builds upon these systems and defines a specific gameplay (like FPS Creator e.g.).

JMonkey is ok to use as far as I can tell since it would be defined as a physics library by the rules of this competition.

JMonkey is what I call a general purpose engine. It combines e.g. jBullet (physics) and lwjgl (opengl, openal). It has an input manager, 3d rendering system, animation system, scene graph etc. but it doesn't specify any gameplay mechanics. It "just" enables the developer to focus on writing gameplay and don't worry (too much) about LOD rendering, Model loading, physics integration and all those tedious issues blocking you from creating an awesome game

But I guess JMonkey is fine to use based on your definition so I better get started on my game

[pitfiend]

Is it valid to use sounds, music, tiles or sprites taken from game maker tools?

[WILL]

Is it valid to use sounds, music, tiles or sprites taken from game maker tools?

Where you get your "assets" or "content" from is not as important as long as it's legal to use. If those sprites, music and so on are acceptable to distribute as indicated by them (either by including them as public domain, or by license) then I can't see a problem with using them if they work for your game's design.

Unfortunately, though I do have a copy of Game Maker 8 for Mac, I don't know enough about it's included content to know one way or the other from experience.