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What free, 2D game engine should I use?

Started by starstriker1 Jan 2, 2003 at 5:40 PM 25 replies 90.7k views

Original Post

Jan 2, 2003 at 5:40 PM

I''m looking for a free game engine, that works with DirectX in 2D. My next project is going to be using DirectX, but the interfaces to DirectDraw are driving me insane, along with window''s constant threat of error ridden annoyance. So I decided to use on of those windows shells, and a basic game engine to get me started. Granted, I''m likely to be tweaking the engine alot. I tried to use the GPDUMB engine supplied in Windows Game Programming for Dummies, but, like all the other source code in the book, it doesn''t work for me (unlike the code in my latest book, which works like a charm). Any suggestions? Or hints at what I may be doing wrong with the GPDUMB? My next project is going to be a remake of my last project, in Windows and DirectX instead of DOS. If you want to take a look at my game, you can download it from www.geocities.com/momogames/DELTACTF.zip . Use the mouse to aim you spaceship, left mousebutton to move forwards, right mousebutton to thrust backwards, and space to fire. Enjoy!

Trond A

Jan 2, 2003 at 7:37 PM

If you''re interested I can mail you the engine I just started doing, it''s not much but can load and render images with color keys, a scrolling environment, as well as playing sounds using DMusic8. I''m designing it so I can easily add OGL or D3D support, or other sound libraries. At the moment it''s only using DDraw because of my laptops poor performance when it comes to "home-made 3d accelerated programs..."

There is no documentation though, but I comment a lot. Maybe a little too much, but it works for me.

-Trond

flucknugget

Jan 2, 2003 at 9:46 PM

Don''t use DirectX, try SDL. It''s a whole lot easier, like easy enough to not drive you insane. And for sound that also really easy, use SDL_mixer. And though I''ve never actually used it since I don''t know network programming, SDL_net looks really easy too.

SDL: http://www.libsdl.org/index.php
SDL_mixer: http://www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_mixer/
SDL_net: http://www.libsdl.org/projects/SDL_net/

It''s considerably easier than DirectX, and just as good, in my opinion (except you don''t get as much flexability when it comes to dealing with windows stuff, but that''s what you get for it being cross-platform). SDL also works great with OpenGL. Tribes 2 and Quake 3 have been ported to it. Good luck.

- f l u c k y p o o

phate

Jan 2, 2003 at 9:52 PM

Its not an engine but its good

Allegro: alleg.sf.net

[edited by - phate on January 2, 2003 10:53:23 PM]

cozman

Jan 2, 2003 at 9:58 PM

ZEngine should be easy for you to use, it''s OpenGL for _FAST_ 2D and SDL for music and input and everything else.

http://zengine.sourceforge.net/

flukus

Jan 2, 2003 at 9:58 PM

SDL is an idiot proof API! Is there something like a 3D version of it?

Greven

Jan 2, 2003 at 10:52 PM

You could also try CDX. It''s more of a 2D class wrapper for DX than an engine, but it does quite well.

Always remember, you''''re unique. Just like everyone else.
Greven

starstriker1

Author

starstriker1

Jan 2, 2003 at 11:01 PM

Wow... SDL look easy to use. I''ll look a bit further into it...

If its idiot proof, I can work with it until I figure out directX!

Pipo DeClown

156

Pipo DeClown

Jan 3, 2003 at 6:50 AM

Use your own

SDL is not comparable with DirectX.

.lick

[edited by - Pipo DeClown on January 3, 2003 7:52:02 AM]

Greven

Jan 3, 2003 at 3:41 PM

quote:
Original post by Pipo DeClown
SDL is not comparable with DirectX.

But SDL uses DirectX... I''m confused

Always remember, you''''re unique. Just like everyone else.
Greven

starstriker1

Author

starstriker1

Jan 3, 2003 at 5:50 PM

Ok. I tried CDX, but the tutorials on the site only lead me to errors, and finding out that the tutorial references folders that don''t exist from the install. The SDL web site doesn''t give me a hint as to what I need to download to get SDL working.

All my game will require is input support, bitmaps and surfaces, maybe pixel plotting/line drawing routines, and sound. Its just a remake of the above game in windows. Not really an advanced project.

GPDUMB, with its "BOB" support, looked to be perfect. Until it didn''t work.

Help?

Arild Fines

138

Arild Fines

Jan 3, 2003 at 6:01 PM

quote:
Original post by flukus
SDL is an idiot proof API!

You are vastly underestimating the power of idiocy.

I''ve looked at the source, and there are pieces that are good and pieces that are not ... My experience and some of my friends'' experience is that Linux is quite unreliable. Microsoft is really unreliable but Linux is worse. -- Ken Thompson

flukus

Jan 3, 2003 at 7:57 PM

"You are vastly underestimating the power of idiocy. "

*Hides "help post" on SDL forum*

" The SDL web site doesn''t give me a hint as to what I need to download to get SDL working."

Got to the first tutorial here, it explains everything:

http://www.gamedev.net/banman/banman.asp?ZoneID=8&Task=Get&X=1041644266510

starstriker1

Author

starstriker1

Jan 3, 2003 at 8:14 PM

Its a blank page. With an ad...

...

(notices his quote of "you are vastly underestimating the power of idiocy")

Oh...

starstriker1

Author

starstriker1

Jan 3, 2003 at 8:16 PM

quote:
Originally posted by starstriker1
The SDL web site doesn''t give me a hint as to what I need to download to get SDL working.

Let me correct that: the site doesn''t tell me what files I need to download. Sounds dumb, yes, but I''m not sure if I need run-time libraries, development libraries, both, and what the hell to do with them!!!

flukus

Jan 3, 2003 at 8:21 PM

Lets try that again:

http://cone3d.gamedev.net/cgi-bin/index.pl?page=tutorials/gfxsdl/index

eldee

Jan 3, 2003 at 8:57 PM

perhaps you need to read the FAQ they provide?
since common sense has failed you, allow me to break it down:

Runtime library: a library used by applications during run-time.. since, everyone running your game wont need the....

Developer library: uh.. its the library for.. uh. developers?

-eldee
;another space monkey;
[ Forced Evolution Studios ]

Do NOT let Dr. Mario touch your genitals. He is not a real doctor!

[edited by - eldee on January 3, 2003 9:58:08 PM]

stodge

Jan 3, 2003 at 9:45 PM

CDX and SDL are both excellent. Also check out www.clanlib.org. I''m not sure if ClanLib supports DirectX from memory, but it''s a feature complete SDK and is an excellent starting point provided you know or want to learn C++.

http://www.stodge.net - the powerhouse in personal commentary

Greven

Jan 3, 2003 at 10:45 PM

quote:
Original post by starstriker1
Ok. I tried CDX, but the tutorials on the site only lead me to errors, and finding out that the tutorial references folders that don''t exist from the install.

I''m one of the maintainers of CDX, so I have to ask: Did you post to the message list with a question on it? Usually things are answered rather quickly. Also, did you check the FAQ on the website? Most common link errors and other compiler errors are listed there. I will admit though that the tutorials are old and outdated. Most of them don''t work properly anymore since updating to 3.1... Sorry.

If you want to try CDX again, but don''t want to join the mailing list, feel free to email me personally and I''ll help you out. Once setup, CDX is very easy to use. And should be able to do everything you want.

Of course I am a bit biased on that

Always remember, you''''re unique. Just like everyone else.
Greven

MindWipe

152

MindWipe

Jan 4, 2003 at 6:29 AM

I would recommend CDX for you.

I don''t like SDL. It uses DX but it''s slower because it''s so much more limited. I''ve tried it, and I liked how easy it was to get it running and it''s good that it''s portable. But hell, it''s slow. I tried every possible way to make a few blits and get a descent FPS. I failed, and it''s not because I didn''t do it right. So if you want a game with lots and lots of sprites blitted every frame and want a good fps, don''t use it.

CDX was pretty cool when I check it out. I think it''s pretty good for a beginner. And it has good effects for you to use.

/MindWipe

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