The first public release of W4ME Station is now available. This runtime environment allows unmodified WASM-4 game cartridges to run on devices supporting CLDC 1.1 and MIDP 2.0, such as mid-2000s feature phones. Written in Java and compatible with Java 1.3, the code is distributed under the MIT license. The package contains 13 games and demo cartridges, including titles like Sokoban, Wasm Wars, Watris, Glowfish Chess, Duck Maze, Rubido, Untangle, and Plasma Cube. Two assemblies have been created – a full version (275 KB) with support for viewing files through JSR-75, and a basic assembly for devices without the FileConnection API. Development is facilitated using AI tools.
The WebAssembly interpreter is utilized for executing cartridges without JIT compilation. Modules undergo validation before execution, following which the intermediate W4IR representation can be stored in the persistent RMS cache. Implemented WASM-4 interfaces cover graphics, text, input, audio, disk storage, and tracing, along with support for two game controllers. Additional “.wasm” files can be installed via HTTP or HTTPS, specified as a “file://” link, or chosen through the JSR-75 file interface. Once installed, cartridges are copied to RMS and can be launched without the need to access the original file or network.
The platform supports control via phone keys, hardware keyboard, pointer, and on-screen touch controller. Performance is dependent on the virtual machine implementation of the specific phone. Compute-intensive cartridges may run slowly on real devices. For instance, the computer-playing mode in Glowfish Chess is not yet optimal for practical use, but the two-player mode on a single phone works effectively.
In addition, another project from the same author is WiPhone Lab, which is developing an