Getting back into game programming

[vanzagar]

I've been out of game programming for several years now, I use to use Visual C++ 6.0, and DirectX 9. I want to focus on simple 2d strategy games with simple animation (no need for DX10 effects). My main concerns would be stability and compatibility, I would like to be compatible with as low an OS as seems reasonable, looking at OS stats:

http://www.w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp

it looks like Xp, Vista and W2000 would be my target, what version of C++ would you recommend using and what version of DirectX please...

I'm even thinking of going back to GDI, but I'm not sure if I would find any help on how to program for a LAN game without DirectX? Anyone know how to LAN program without DirectX?

Thanks,

Vanz

[Reedbeta]

You can get the latest Express Edition of Visual C++ from Microsoft's website - Visual C++ 6 is a waaay outdated compiler and you should definitely upgrade to a newer VC++.

If you're targeting simple 2D strategy games, GDI might be just fine for you - you certainly don't need to require Direct3D 10, and if you use D3D you might even step back to version 8 or 7 just to support older hardware. On the other hand, I doubt much hardware is left out there that's not at least D3D-9 capable. My laptop is 3.5 years old and is still D3D-9 capable for instance.

As for doing networking without DirectPlay, you can always use WinSock and determine the contents of the packets yourself. There are surely also higher-level networking libraries out there, though I don't know any names off the top of my head since I've never used one.

[vanzagar]

You can get the latest Express Edition of Visual C++ from Microsoft's website - Visual C++ 6 is a waaay outdated compiler and you should definitely upgrade to a newer VC++.

If you're targeting simple 2D strategy games, GDI might be just fine for you - you certainly don't need to require Direct3D 10, and if you use D3D you might even step back to version 8 or 7 just to support older hardware. On the other hand, I doubt much hardware is left out there that's not at least D3D-9 capable. My laptop is 3.5 years old and is still D3D-9 capable for instance.

As for doing networking without DirectPlay, you can always use WinSock and determine the contents of the packets yourself. There are surely also higher-level networking libraries out there, though I don't know any names off the top of my head since I've never used one.

Thanks Reedbeta, maybe your right I should go with D3D9, downloading Express Edition of Visual C++ now...

Is this a free compiler? If I use it for creating a game that I later sell, am I doing anything illegal?

Also, I dug up a few older books I use to use:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9781931841092&itm=2

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&EAN=9780672313615&itm=2

Basically I want to program a game based loosely on Risk (with a unique twist), with LAN support, sprinkle in a little animation. Would someone please recommend a good book or link where I can:

1. Move simple 2d sprites in DirectX9
2. Have sprites in #1 be moveable by players on 2 differnent computer over a LAN

If I get this figured out the rest is down hill and I'll be back into familiar territory :)... sucks being out of this for so long,

Oh and by the way I recall I used to have to download the DX9 SDK, do I still need to do that or is it bundled with the compiler now?

Thanks for your patience...

Vanz

[fireside]

If you're starting over, maybe you should think about going Microsoft free. Download devc++ or codeblocks with mingw included. It's great. Nice and light weight. Use opengl instead of DirectX. Cross platform. No Microsoft hooks. Just about every graphics card has an opengl driver now.

[Reedbeta]

Is this a free compiler? If I use it for creating a game that I later sell, am I doing anything illegal?

Yes to the first, and no to the second.

Oh and by the way I recall I used to have to download the DX9 SDK, do I still need to do that or is it bundled with the compiler now?

It's still a separate download. In fact, with the Express Editions, the Windows Platform SDK is a separate download - or at least was through VS 2005; I'm not sure about VS 2008. If it isn't included, the download link is here (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=A55B6B43-E24F-4EA3-A93E-40C0EC4F68E5&displaylang=en).

[poita]

vanzagar, I don't know of any good books to explain the use of sprites, but I would check the DirectX documentation that comes with the SDK, as it has some semi-decent tutorials and all the information you will need. I'm sure you could easily find some good tutorials through a quick Google search too.

[LmT]

Visual Studio 2005 or better.
DirectX 9.0c or OpenGL for graphics
DirectX 9.0c or OpenAL for sound

[Nullmech]

Platform SDK is still a separate download in VS2008 Express, as is the DirectX SDK.

[roel]

You can also consider to use a library like Allegro (for simple graphics and sounds). It can be easier than DirectX, and it can be portable.