[deathcap]

> If your main goal is to get as many contributors as possible, perhaps JavaScript would be the best choice.

Hi, I just wanted to mention I have started such a project: https://github.com/deathcap/voxel-clientmc - a Minecraft-compatible client written in JavaScript.

It sure could use more contributors =) help welcome if anyone is interested. Currently not many features are implemented, but you can connect to a Minecraft server (works with the official Minecraft server and its modifications, but I usually test with Glowstone or Glowstone++ for a 100% open source stack) in your web browser via the WebSocket/Minecraft proxy https://github.com/deathcap/wsmc. The protocol decoding is implemented by PrismarineJS https://github.com/PrismarineJS/node-minecraft-protocol, much of the client logic by mineflayer, and the WebGL voxel rendering using http://voxeljs.com.

JavaScript has some interesting benefits for game development, I enjoy its dynamicism; plugin loading is a breeze. Since it is already a "scripting" language, it is easily modifiable by third-parties. Some game engines have taken to implementing a second language runtime, for example Minetest and MC-Server are written in C++ but allow addon development in Lua. The Minecraft modifications ComputerCraft and OpenComputers also allow in-game programming using Lua. ScriptCraft, a CanaryMod plugin for Minecraft, allows writing plugins in JavaScript. etc. But when everything is written in JavaScript, there is no platform/addon dichotomy. In voxel.js (especially https://github.com/deathcap/voxel-engine-stackgl), much of the core functionality is even implemented in "plugins".