Mulit Level game

Question

Hello,
I am trying to code a multi level game. Basically I am using a JFrame as the box where the game is inside. I then create a container to which I add all of the objects in my game for level 1.
For example I have a bunch of JLabels inside the container which represent walls, the main character, monster's, or the exit for each level.
When the person completes a level, I want to get rid of everything in the container and create all new ones, since the level layout would obviously change for the next level.
Either
1) I need to keep the container and empty it out and fill it with new JLabels and new locations of them.
OR
2) somehow destroy the JFrame and create a new one with the updated level layout.
I tried to do option 2 but have been running into memory issues, and needing to restart the computer. I am implementing method two by calling the dispose method on the Jframe and creating a whole new one.
I also want to say that this is multi-threaded, a thread is created for each monster, but I know the thread is killed after each level is completed(i have tested this)
any ideas?
take a look at my code below if it helps...
( i have taken the unneccessary portions out(just movement logic etc.))
thanks.
import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.text.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.event.*;
import javax.swing.Timer;
import java.lang.Math;
import java.util.Random;
import javax.swing.JOptionPane;
import java.lang.String;
public class DungeonMaster extends JFrame
public DungeonMaster(int L) {
start_hero_X = 260; //starting location of hero
start_hero_Y = 160;
start_redMonster_X = 300; //starting location of red monster
start_redMonster_Y = 200;
stairs_X = 500; //stairs location
stairs_Y = 460;
Level_Complete = false;
if (L == 1)
Load_Level_1();
else if (L==2)
Load_Level_2();
else
Load_Level_3();
CreateUserInterface();
private boolean Level_Complete;
private int start_hero_X,start_hero_Y;
private int start_redMonster_X, start_redMonster_Y;
private int stairs_X,stairs_Y;
private Hero H;
// private redM RM;
private redM redMonster;
private JLabel stairs;
private int size = 90;
private int grid_unit_size = 20;
private int speed = 20;
boolean visible = true;
//initialize the virtual board...it will eventually be loaded with the
//various levels as the load level functions are called.
char [][] VirtualBoard =
// LEVEL 1
char [][] Level_1_Board =
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','W','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','S','S','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','S','S','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'}
//LEVEL
char [][] Level_2_Board =
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','M','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'}
// LEVEL 1
char [][] Level_3_Board =
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','W','W','W','W','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','S','S','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','S','S','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'},
{'e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e','e'}
//e=Empty
//W=Wall
//S=Stairs
//D=Door
//K=Key
//B=Button
// CONTAINER CONTAINER CONTAINER CONTAINER CONTAINER
Container contentPane = getContentPane();
//------Methods to load various levels to the virtual board------
void Load_Level_1(){
contentPane.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
contentPane.setLayout(null);
for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
VirtualBoard[j] = Level_1_Board[j][i];
//stairs
stairs = new JLabel();
stairs.setIcon(img_stairs);
stairs.setBounds(stairs_X, stairs_Y,grid_unit_size*2,grid_unit_size*2);
contentPane.add(stairs);
// --------------Hero------------------
H = new Hero(start_hero_X,start_hero_Y);
contentPane.add(H);
// --------------redMonster------------------
redMonster = new redM(start_redMonster_X,start_redMonster_Y);
contentPane.add(redMonster);
public void Load_Level_2(){
contentPane.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
contentPane.setLayout(null);
for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
VirtualBoard[j][i] = Level_2_Board[j][i];
//stairs
stairs = new JLabel();
stairs.setIcon(img_stairs);
stairs.setBounds(200, 200,grid_unit_size*2,grid_unit_size*2);
contentPane.add(stairs);
// --------------Hero------------------
H = new Hero(20,500);
contentPane.add(H);
// --------------redMonster------------------
redMonster = new redM(300,40);
contentPane.add(redMonster);
public void Load_Level_3(){
contentPane.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
contentPane.setLayout(null);
for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
VirtualBoard[j][i] = Level_3_Board[j][i];
public void CreateUserInterface()
setFocusable(true); //allows keyboard input
addKeyListener(
new KeyListener()
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent event){
Move(event);
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent event){
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent event){
// ------------------ CREATE WALLS,DOORS--------------------
//this function loops through all squares on the virtual board and sets
//icons for walls and doors in the content pane wherever it finds a 'W'
//or a 'D' respectively
//load level into virtual board
//loop through virtual board looking for W's and D's
for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
if(VirtualBoard[j][i]=='W')
JLabel J = new JLabel(); //set wall icon in content pane
J.setIcon(img_wall);
J.setBounds(i * grid_unit_size,j * grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size);
contentPane.add(J);
if(VirtualBoard[j][i]=='D') //set door icon in content pane
JLabel J = new JLabel();
J.setIcon(img_door);
J.setBounds(i * grid_unit_size,j * grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size);
contentPane.add(J);
setSize(660,640);
setTitle(" DUNGEON MASTER");
setVisible(true);
}//------------- END CREATE USER INTERFACE.-------------------
// RESTART PROGRAM ... re-initialize everything
public void restart(){
//reset hero's location
H.X_coor = start_hero_X;
H.Y_coor = start_hero_Y;
H.setBounds(H.X_coor, H.Y_coor,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size);
//reset hero's image
java.net.URL url = DungeonMaster.class.getResource("hero_D.png");
ImageIcon img = new ImageIcon(url);
H.setIcon(img);
//reset red monster's location
redMonster.X_coor = start_redMonster_X;
redMonster.Y_coor = start_redMonster_Y;
redMonster.setBounds(redMonster.X_coor,redMonster.Y_coor,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size);
//------------------load images to be used--------------------------
     //code for images
// ---------------Create the user interface-----------------
//--------------MOVE FUNCTION for Hero-------------------------
public void Move(KeyEvent event)
int key = event.getKeyCode(); // keyboard code for the key that was pressed
if (key == KeyEvent.VK_LEFT) {
if (H.canMove("Left")){
H.moveLeft();
else if (key == KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT){
if (H.canMove("Right")){
H.moveRight();
else if (key == KeyEvent.VK_UP){
if (H.canMove("Up")){
H.moveUp();
else if (key == KeyEvent.VK_DOWN){
if (H.canMove("Down")){
H.moveDown();
//------------------------EVENTS---------------------------
H.setBounds(H.X_coor, H.Y_coor,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size); //move hero
reachedStairs(); //check to see if stairs were reached
//---------------------REACHED STAIRS???-----------------------------
public void reachedStairs(){
if((stairs_X == H.X_coor && stairs_Y == H.Y_coor)||//since 4 grid units for stairs, check each one.
(stairs_X == H.X_coor && stairs_Y + grid_unit_size == H.Y_coor)||
(stairs_X + grid_unit_size == H.X_coor && stairs_Y == H.Y_coor)||
(stairs_X + grid_unit_size == H.X_coor && stairs_Y + grid_unit_size == H.Y_coor)){
//image for win level
stairs.setIcon(img_stairs_win);
//message for win level
JFrame F = new JFrame();
F.setBounds(300,300,200,200);
JOptionPane P = new JOptionPane();
JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(F,
"You beat the level, good job!",
"LEVEL COMPLETE",
JOptionPane.PLAIN_MESSAGE);
//restart();
//reset stairs image
Level_Complete = true;
stairs.setIcon(img_stairs);
//--------------------------LIFEFORM CLASS-----------------------------
public class LifeForm extends JLabel{
public LifeForm(){           
public int X_coor; //Coordinate position of the lifeform
public int Y_coor;
//----------CAN MOVE????---------------------------------------
public boolean canMove(String Direction){
//takes coordinates of object that wishes to move and the direction it wants to move in
//and returns true if object can move, false if object cannot move
int X = X_coor / 20;
int Y = Y_coor / 20;
if (Direction == "Left")
          ///etc....for right up down....
//--------------- END CAN MOVE????----------------------------
//------------------------END LIFEFORM CLASS------------------------------
// -------------------------HERO CLASS------------------------------
public class Hero extends LifeForm{
// CONSTRUCTOR
public Hero(int start_X, int start_Y){
X_coor = start_X; //Hero Starting Location
Y_coor = start_Y;
Key = false; //Hero doesn't get key initially
haskey = "No";
Vanish = 3; //Begin with this number of vanishes
Frozen = false;
// SET HERO'S INITIAL LOCATION
setIcon(img_hero_down);
setBounds(X_coor, Y_coor,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size);
}// END CONSTRUCTOR
private int Vanish; //number of vanishes left
private boolean Key;
private String haskey; //If hero has key: "Yes", If doesn't: "No"
public boolean Frozen; //determines if hero can move or not.
public boolean EatFreeze;//frozen if getting eaten
     move functions here.
//------------------- MONSTER CLASS ---------------------------
public class Monster extends LifeForm{
public Monster(){
     //move functions here
//------------- END MONSTER CLASS -----------------------------
//------------- Red Monster Class -----------------------------
//The red monster will check to see if the hero is in the same row
//or column as it is. If the two are in the same row or column the red
//monster will FREEZE the hero so that he cannot move and the monster will
//move towards him. If there is a wall in between the two the hero will
//be safe, but if nothing is between them, the monster will devour the hero.
public class redM extends Monster implements Runnable{
Thread runner;
redM(int start_X, int start_Y){
//set monster's location
X_coor = start_X;
Y_coor = start_Y;
//set Monsters initial location on content pane
setIcon(img_RM);
setBounds(X_coor,Y_coor,grid_unit_size,grid_unit_size);
if(runner == null){
runner = new Thread(this);
runner.start();
public void run(){
while(Level_Complete==false){
monsterAttack(H.X_coor, H.Y_coor);
//-----------------MONSTER ATTACKS???-------------------------
public void monsterAttack(int H_X, int H_Y){
char dir;
int steps = 0;
int monsterPau

Answer 1

1 and 2:
public class DungeonMaster extends JFrame
    /** Creates a new instance of EventPress */
    public DungeonMaster(int L) {
        Level_Complete = false;
        if (L == 1)
            Load_Level_1();
        else if (L==2)
            Load_Level_2();
        else
            Load_Level_3();
        CreateUserInterface();
    private boolean Level_Complete;
    Container contentPane = getContentPane();
    //------Methods to load various levels to the virtual board------
    void Load_Level_1(){
        contentPane.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
        contentPane.setLayout(null);       
        for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
            for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
                VirtualBoard[j] = Level_1_Board[j][i];
//stairs
stairs = new JLabel(start stairs location);
contentPane.add(stairs);
// --------------Hero------------------
H = new Hero(start_hero_X,start_hero_Y);
contentPane.add(H);
// --------------redMonster------------------
redMonster = new redM(start_redMonster_X,start_redMonster_Y);
contentPane.add(redMonster);
public void Load_Level_2(){
contentPane.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
contentPane.setLayout(null);
for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
VirtualBoard[j][i] = Level_2_Board[j][i];
//stairs
stairs = new JLabel(level 2 stairs location);
contentPane.add(stairs);
// --------------Hero------------------
H = new Hero(20,500);
contentPane.add(H);
// --------------redMonster------------------
redMonster = new redM(300,40);
contentPane.add(redMonster);
public void Load_Level_3(){
contentPane.setBackground(Color.LIGHT_GRAY);
contentPane.setLayout(null);
for (int i = 0; i < 30 ; i++){
for(int j = 0; j < 30 ; j++){
VirtualBoard[j][i] = Level_3_Board[j][i];
public void CreateUserInterface()
setFocusable(true); //allows keyboard input
addKeyListener(
new KeyListener()
public void keyPressed(KeyEvent event){
Move(event);
public void keyReleased(KeyEvent event){
public void keyTyped(KeyEvent event){
setSize(660,640);
setTitle(" DUNGEON MASTER");
setVisible(true);
}//------------- END CREATE USER INTERFACE.-------------------
//------------------------MAIN-------------------------------
public static void main(String args[]){
//Level 1
DungeonMaster Level_1 = new DungeonMaster(1);
while(Level_1.Level_Complete==false);
Level_1.dispose();
//Level 2
DungeonMaster Level_2 = new DungeonMaster(2);
while(Level_2.Level_Complete==false);
Level_2.dispose();
//Level 3
DungeonMaster Level_3 = new DungeonMaster(3);
while(Level_3.Level_Complete==false);
Level_3.dispose();
Level_1.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
Level_2.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
Just remember the monsters each have their own threads but they should be killed at the end of each level.
5)is this necessary? i like that my monsters and hero are Jlabels. you are saying for the walls etc, things that are static?
6) this is being done already. the boards you saw before are the strings, but they get copied into the current level board with 2 nest for loops for the 2 dim. array. each time the new level is loaded.