What'd be the best API to learn?

[Auxilium]

For developing games /

[Void]

DirectX or OpenGL. Go go go!

[t7ancients]

You should learn OpenGL =D

[Auxilium]

But why ?

[inmate]

One API ?! You need a lot ,lot and a lot of more API´s to Develope a Game and you need DirectX or OpenGL knowing !!

[Auxilium]

One API ?! You need a lot ,lot and a lot of more API´s to Develope a Game and you need DirectX or OpenGL knowing !!

Listen. I'm not trying to make crysis, or industry standard games. Get off me

[VvITylerIvV]

Listen. I'm not trying to make crysis, or industry standard games. Get off me

He's right though. Even for more basic games you'd need more then just one api... I believe its two at the very least (even for extremely basic graphical games...) winAPI and then the other directx... I have done my research because this is where I plan on living my life. As a lawyer/game designer. interesting combonation, wouldn't you say?


If you want 3d games that are ok quality but can run on macdows use opengl...

If you want amazing graphics and think "**** the mac users" go for directx.

Directx has 2d, and 3d apis (I believe...) so it's much easier to create 2 dimensional games in directx then it is opengl.

Maplestory was made in directx. Combat arms was made in directx. Those are two examples of games made in directx by the same coding team. 2d and 3d.

Personally, I'd go for directx. Even if you care about the macusers... gamers ALWAYS have windows. And if a gamer has a mac he isnt a gamer, he's a geek with a mac.



Of course, there are many many other APIs you could use. But directx and opengl are the very best of the best. (directx being the best of the best of the best)



going for directx 3D visit these sites and see which you prefer... first is free second is not.
ToyMaker
THANK VOID FOR THIS LINK IF YOU USE IT

for directx 2D visit these sites and see which you prefer(or both? I haven't read through these... just found em and they look alright)

EuclideanSpace
Can't forget MSDN, right? they've helped us all... Don't lie...


for opengl programming

this is the site to go


Now, those are just free/cheap sites. If you really wanna get into game programming for a possible career, I would recommend purchasing many books or going to a GOOD school. Do a background check on any school's you go to before going to them...

[Auxilium]

He's right though. Even for more basic games you'd need more then just one api... I believe its two at the very least (even for extremely basic graphical games...) winAPI and then the other directx... I have done my research because this is where I plan on living my life. As a lawyer/game designer. interesting combonation, wouldn't you say?


If you want 3d games that are ok quality but can run on macdows use opengl...

If you want amazing graphics and think "**** the mac users" go for directx.

Directx has 2d, and 3d apis (I believe...) so it's much easier to create 2 dimensional games in directx then it is opengl.

Maplestory was made in directx. Combat arms was made in directx. Those are two examples of games made in directx by the same coding team. 2d and 3d.

Personally, I'd go for directx. Even if you care about the macusers... gamers ALWAYS have windows. And if a gamer has a mac he isnt a gamer, he's a geek with a mac.

Of course, there are many many other APIs you could use. But directx and opengl are the very best of the best. (directx being the best of the best of the best)

you dont need winapi to make games
You can develop intensly graphical games for dreamcast with 1 API

actually SDL is a great api

[Void]

Or, if you want to go pure 2D programming, go for Allegro.

Anyways, I'd say DirectX, because Microsoft is awesome. Also because, like Tyler said, it supports 2D rendering and 3D. Also supports sounds ( Direct sound ). Direct3D is just awesome if you ask me. |:

[VvITylerIvV]

Or, if you want to go pure 2D programming, go for Allegro.

Anyways, I'd say DirectX, because Microsoft is awesome. Also because, like Tyler said, it supports 2D rendering and 3D. Also supports sounds ( Direct sound ). Direct3D is just awesome if you ask me. |:

QFET (quoted for epic truth)

[Auxilium]

QFET (quoted for epic truth)

EDIT I FEEL LIKE AN IDIOT. my forum name has tyler. Normally its xdawnedx.

You still dont need winapi for games

[VvITylerIvV]

You still dont need winapi for games

lol really? I haven't done that much research... I'm just about to enter the magical world of classes... hope nothing happens this time.

[Auxilium]

lol really? I haven't done that much research... I'm just about to enter the magical world of classes... hope nothing happens this time.

Unless you want Windows Message boxes popping up you dont.

[Void]

Unless you want Windows Message boxes popping up you dont.

If you're developping a game on windows you're most likely going to create a window ( windows API ) and draw over it.

|:

[Auxilium]

If you're developping a game on windows you're most likely going to create a window ( windows API ) and draw over it.

|:

Or you could do something like

[php]SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO);
screen = SDL_SetVideoMode(640, 480, 16, SDL_SWSURFACE);[/php]
in sdl to make the window