looking for a free 2D engine

You could try out the LÖVE engine
Never used it myself, though.

Perhaps SFML would suit your taste?

I liked ClanLib for awhile, but SFML is a lot nicer IMHO.

What kind of game are you trying to make?
What is your experience level?

Hey thanks for the replies,

I'll clarify my needs a little bit:
I have a 2d side-scrolling puzzle game in mind, and I'm looking for doing as little "engine" work as possible. I'd preferably dive straight into the game play code.

LOVE with Lua kind of puts me off. I'd rather use C++ instead. Both SFML and ClanLib are contenders. I actually think both will do, but I'll have to pick. Why do you (Developer_X) think SFML is a lot nicer? ClanLib has an XML based resource management system that sounds quite interesting, collision detection and a modifiable GUI system.


[Edited by - Dolf on August 9, 2009 1:32:27 PM]

Quote:

Original post by Dolf I'll clarify my needs a little bit: I have a 2d side-scrolling puzzle game in mind, and I'm looking for doing as little "engine" work as possible. I'd preferably dive straight into the game play code.

I don't know of any off hand that you can just dive right in and build such a game without writing at least some of the foundation code.

Quote:

LOVE with Lua kind of puts me off. I'd rather use C++ instead. Both SFML and ClanLib are contenders. I actually think both will do, but I'll have to pick.

Off-topic: I just looked into that LOVE thing..it looks like fun, I'm going to give it a try.

Quote:

Why do you (Developer_X) think SFML is a lot nicer? ClanLib has an XML based resource management system that sounds quite interesting, collision detection and a modifiable GUI system.

Have you looked at the basic amounts of code required to get started in each?

The minimum in ClanLib to get a window up and running with ESC & the X window button to close is about 10 times the amount of code than SFML needs.

If you can't decide, then start with both simultaneously in two different project directories, and then which ever one looks like it will be easier to work with, then use that one, and scrap the other.

I think that if you run through the SFML tutorials that you will agree that its far nicer than the insane amount of code to write a ClanLib program.

Novalis Engine

Features:
100% cross-platform
Lua scripting support
Complete tool set
Custom wrapped engine API
Custom API documents
MySQL support
Fluid character animations
Fast paced battle system
Much more!

and, I know you said you dont like Lua, so I think theres something then where you can just download the c++ libraries, and make your own apps.

http://sushiboxstudios.com/novalis/index.php

Thanks for the tip Nickoz. But the description of the engine raised some red flags: "Engine Open Source 2D Cross-Platform MMORPG Maker", and it's not even a website, it's a forum with little activity.

The features you mentioned are not what I'm looking for ... "Fast paced battle system", "MySQL support". MySQL is not even free.

I'm taking Developer_X's suggestion and I'll try a bit of both SFML and ClanLib.

Quote:

Original post by Dolf Thanks for the tip Nickoz. But the description of the engine raised some red flags: "Engine Open Source 2D Cross-Platform MMORPG Maker", and it's not even a website, it's a forum with little activity. The features you mentioned are not what I'm looking for ... "Fast paced battle system", "MySQL support". MySQL is not even free. I'm taking Developer_X's suggestion and I'll try a bit of both SFML and ClanLib.

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=mysql