Elysian Shadows

What is your game programming library of choice?
It can be any combination of specialized/multi-purposed libraries(like SDL and OpenGL, Ogre and DirectX ).


I use DirectX for the actual piece and Win32 for input.
I think Dinput is just too messy and slow to use in a small game.

I like to use DirectX\3D stand alone OR w/ win32 for I/O, and SDL Stand alone. Although the one time that i took a look at Ogre3D it was pretty damn nicey

DirectX because

A. That's what I'm used to using
B. I'm trying to get into games industry and I hear DirectX is standard

I also think the name sounds kinda cool

SDL and OpenGL for everything because I like to think that what I make can be used on any platform.

Also I have a slight hate for Microsoft..

I usually go for DarkGDK(DrX Wrapper) and FMOD.

I use SDL because:
- it's the only library I know 'well' , I mean I could get along in allegro and i've done some Win32 API before (and I hope one day to do some real stuff with that, just for the fun of it)
- I feel like I can experiment in SDL, rather than learn several languages that I can't mess around in, I can think of an idea, and then implement it with SDL, simple

Eventually i'll move onto OpenGL (but I don't know much about that at the moment), and I guess i'll have to learn the packages that come with Java (it's the language I will be using at university next september)

I'll keep working in SDL until my needs exceed its capabilities, and when I get off my arse an learn something else, but even then, i'm pretty sure I would use OpenGL with SDL, for sound and input etc

I use SDL either by itself or along-side OpenGL's graphics capabilities. I like the fact that's it's cross platform, which makes my applications much more flexible.

MadPumpkin wrote:I like to use DirectX\3D stand alone OR w/ win32 for I/O, and SDL Stand alone. Although the one time that i took a look at Ogre3D it was pretty damn nicey

You can get Direct3D work with Ogre somehow... somehow...

SFML was my first love... and it will be my last

RyanPridgeon wrote:SDL and OpenGL for everything because I like to think that what I make can be used on any platform.

Also I have a slight hate for Microsoft..

My computer is duel partitioned with Ubunutu(Linux) and XP(Windows), I still prefer Visual Studio over any other IDEs
and my Linux is there just cos it has a better Network inteface (the windows inteface keeps disconnecting when i get to a certain distance from my router, aka my room...)
plus I hate the MAC OSX GUI, had some at school, didn't like them.
Thought I hated Microsoft too for a while, but after I saw Visual Studio and DirectX, plus all the games you can actually play on that machine(OK, there's wine for Unix-systems but it's not perfect), I just fell in love :D

dandymcgee wrote:I use SDL either by itself or along-side OpenGL's graphics capabilities. I like the fact that's it's cross platform, which makes my applications much more flexible.

Do you actually use the cross-platformability of SDL?
Or just praise the concept?
It seems like many people here say SDL is great because it is cross-platform but never actually used this function of SDL(same for OpenGL), I'm not arguing about it's awesomeness, but am just pointing this out.

Netwatcher wrote: Do you actually use the cross-platformability of SDL?
Or just praise the concept?
It seems like many people here say SDL is great because it is cross-platform but never actually used this function of SDL(same for OpenGL), I'm not arguing about it's awesomeness, but am just pointing this out.

I have not used it yet, as everything I've made thus far has been to simple to really distribute to anyone else and I personally am running Windows XP. I do however like knowing that the APIs I know and love will not have to be given up later if such functionality is absolutely necessary.

Aside from that, SDL is very well documented as is OpenGL. I am also slightly against Microsoft's attempts to have their own version of EVERYTHING while putting their best efforts towards making it only work right on Windows. Also, SDL and OpenGL have much more lenient licensing in comparison to DirectX.

Netwatcher wrote:

dandymcgee wrote:I use SDL either by itself or along-side OpenGL's graphics capabilities. I like the fact that's it's cross platform, which makes my applications much more flexible.

Do you actually use the cross-platformability of SDL?

ES does :)

I said that many people here do, and didn't doubt for a second ES doesn't.(you ARE making a game for the Dreamcast after all )

Netwatcher wrote:I said that many people here do, and didn't doubt for a second ES doesn't.(you ARE making a game for the Dreamcast after all :lol: )

Actually, the DC compilation doesn't use SDL. I think.