RKPD2 isn't dead! After a long wait, RKPD2 implements up to Shattered 2.3.1, notably adding the Duelist and various reworks! Rest assured, this version is "feature complete", "perfectly stable", and "well tested"!
That's how I learned Java, and it was a huge motivator in getting me involved in the field to begin with.
There's a ton of Easter eggs in the code, plus unused classes and sprites, and the art style isn't that difficult to pick up, which makes modding Shattered a surprisingly possible project even for someone just learning Java. It does take some time to get yourself familiar with how things work and programming constructs, but it can feel super cool to make your change and play with it!
It's a long road to do anything truly major, but if you stick to it and have ideas you can absolutely make them happen.
That's how I learned Java, and it was a huge motivator in getting me involved in the field to begin with.
There's a ton of Easter eggs in the code, plus unused classes and sprites, and the art style isn't that difficult to pick up, which makes modding Shattered a surprisingly possible project even for someone just learning Java. It does take some time to get yourself familiar with how things work and programming constructs, but it can feel super cool to make your change and play with it!
It's a long road to do anything truly major, but if you stick to it and have ideas you can absolutely make them happen.