At today's 2007 Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, Sun Microsystems announced plans to open source Project Darkstar, a ground-breaking online game server platform written entirely in Java technology. (see press release).

Game developers can download the latest version of Project Darkstar at www.projectdarkstar.com. This new release of Project Darkstar features a simpler programming interface for increased productivity; plug-in APIs to facilitate integration of third party extensions; and enhancements for scalability , robust performance, and fault-tolerant operation. The source code for Project Darkstar will become available under a GPL license in the coming months, and further details will be provided at Sun's JavaOne conference May 9 in San Francisco.

It will be interesting to see how Darkstar is received.   I can see a whole fury on Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Games hitting the streets.  Now let's see, what would have mass audience appeal…