MicDareall

Do you guys not realize that Opengl and DirectX are similar API's, they are both 3D graphics API's. And if he's not confortable with using DirectX enough to actually create a game with, why would he want to start learning OpenGL to do it. Of course it can be done just like he could create a 2D game with DirectX if he wanted, but should it be done when there is easier routes that don't deal with him actually having to learn another 3D graphics API? Why would you even mention OpenGL?

And to me it seems rather stupid to learn another 3D api just to create a 2D game with.

Do you guys just not understand what DirectX is or are you the type that just want to do everything in the most complicated way possible?

DaWei

It isn't stupid to read the thread and reply accordingly. Rather, the contrary.

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MicDareall

And he is already learning Direct X. That he said would be 'too daunting' to try to create with at this time for him. He is looking for something to simplify things. OpenGL doesn't simplify things. Its the same type of library. Something to simplify things would be a wrapper around Opengl/DirectX.

And as far as Opengl, they were recomending it for 2D. That was what I said was stupid. Since he already is learning DirectX why not just suggest him to create a 2D game in Direct X. Does that help his cause at all? No, but it is more reasonable then telling him to learn another 3D graphics API to do 2D with along with the 3D graphics API he is already having trouble with.

King

Thanks to everyone for there input. MicDareall has the right idea for what I was asking for, maybe I should have been a bit more clear. I could probably do a pretty nice 2D game with my current DirectX knowledge, but I was looking for something a bit more simple and less time consuming; so I will try out SDL as a number of you have suggested. As for 3D I will probably wait until I finish my current DirectX course and go that rout. I also might try out OGRE3D, as it seems I would be able to get much more done.

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Seif

I can't believe nobody has mentioned the XNA framework yet. Awesome toolkit, allowing development for both Windows and Xbox 360. perfect for both 2D and 3D. I've had some great fun with this lately, creating games in record time.

Personally I wouldn't even bother to attempt making a game using OpenGL or DirectX alone, unless you really want to bother wasting time writing mesh loaders, texture loaders, scene graph etc, which will probably take you quite a while

However if you really really want to start from scratch (good luck to you) then stick with the API that you are currently learning. There isn't much difference between DirectX or OpenGL as MicDareall states, although DirectX offers more all round support for input devices and audio, whereas OpenGL is an API purely dedicated for Graphics and for audio and event handling thats where you would probably want to look into SDL... or the uncommon library as Duck puts it lol.

If you wan't to go with 3D and do not want to use XNA then i would recommend Irrlicht as a Graphics engine. Really easy to use, cross platform support, supports a wide range of mesh and texture formats and it also has some handy classes such as different types of Camera and built in gui controls. Well worth a look. At the time I picked it over OGRE 3D for its collision detection support. Very basic, but it was really all I need.

http://irrlicht.sourceforge.net/features.html

But I urge you to look at XNA, seriously its free, and incredibly easy.

Klarre

MicDareall. When you write DirectX and presume you mean Direct3D. I don't know what your experiences are with the two APIs, but they are not similar to work with. But their goals are. If he is not comfortable working with Direct3D he should give GL a try though it is much more easier to grasp. OpenGL is not rocket science, and it will not take years to be able to create a simple 2D game with. Rather 2 days.

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Wizard1988

If you are planning on moving into 3D then you really should consider using OpenGL since you will be doing everything just like you would with 3d except you won't rotate in 3d and use lighting. However if you are going to stick to 2D for a while then you might want to start out with SDL and then try Allegro which allows you to do much more than SDL.

Allegro
http://www.allegro.cc/

If you are going with SDL check this out: lazyfoo.net
If you are going with Allegro check this out :http://www.talula.demon.co.uk/allegro/docs.html

I hope this helps.

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ReggaetonKing

@Seif: The OP said cross-platform

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King

I am quite comfortable with what I have learned thus far in DirectX, It just takes time to be able to do anything extremely productive with it. In the mean time I just was looking for a graphics library to make the development time shorter so I could concentrate more on the game design. I have no interest in learning OpenGL right now.

I will probably check out XNA because I do have an Xbox360 and it would be cool to play my own games on it and upload it for other people to check out.

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Seif

1) He said hopefully cross platform

2) I also gave a cross platform solution if you care to read my full post:

Good man King, let me know if you need a hand with setting it up... although I am still pretty new to it myself . it comes superbly documented and comes with a free space war game for you to tweak and play with. It took me only an hour to learn the basics and create an alright game of pong.