glGo is a prototype for a 3D Goban and client for IGS-PandaNet as a native Win32 and Linux program written in C++. The goal is to provide a successor for the well-known Java gGo client written by me. "glGo" is sort of a codename for the prototype, it might be released as "gGo" or "gGo2" when it is usable.
glGo supports playing with a GTP engine like GNU Go.
The current version provides SGF loading and saving, UGF loading and an IGS client. Observing and playing games is fully supported.
Utilizing the wxWindows library allows native compilation under Windows, Linux and possibly Mac OS X. This addresses the common resistance of many people against Java applications I have noticed.
The usage of OpenGL allows a high quality goban display in 3D, which greatly enhanced the plain 2D display in gGo. It is possible to rotate and move the goban in three dimensions, which is an unique feature within current Go clients.
The SDL library offers a way to render a fast and pretty 2D goban as alternative to the OpenGL 3D display.
I am aware that releasing a client for IGS-PandaNet as open-source is a risky business and have made bad experience with the once open-sourced gGo Java client. However, I believe that open-source is the better way of developing software. People have complained to me about the modifications others have done to the software. I will send these sort of complains, insults and blames instantly to /dev/null as I only feel responsible for what I do. Features
- A fancy 3D goban display. The board can be rotated and zoomed.
- A 2D goban display similar to the known gGo board.
- Client for IGS-Pandanet
- Support for GNU Go over GTP.
- Runs on Windows and Linux (and probably Mac if someone compiles it).
- Loads and saves SGF files
- Loads UGF files and the PandaNet mail magazine games
- SGF editing (not all SGF features implemented yet)
- Sound support using the OpenAL, DirectSound or SDL system
- A player database tool implemented as Python plugin
Requirements
If you want to use the 3D board, you need OpenGL libraries installed. They should be available on every Windows except Win95. On Linux they should come with your graphiccard driver. If you don't run a hardware-accelerated X server, the mesa libraries might work as well. If you don't have a proper 3D driver, you can use the glGo 2D board which should run on any Windows or Linux system without special requirements. See the preferences diaog in the startup window to switch between the 3D and 2D board. The default is the 2D board.
glGo requires the SDL, SDL_image, SDL_ttf and SDL_gfx libraries. They are included in the Windows installer. On Linux please use the SDL runtime from your distribution.
If you want sound, you need the OpenAL or SDL Mixer libraries. These libraries are optional. glGo will run if they are not present, but sound will be disabled. Both files are included in the Windows installer. They are not included in the Linux installer, as they ship with all Linux distributions.
glGo requires Python 2.3 which is included in the Windows installer. On Linux please install Python 2.3 from your distribution.
Please see the Readme file for further informations.
This is a prototype, not a finished application. Meanwhile most things should work properly, but there are still many features missing.