Is MicroSoft doing enough to support 2D games?

#1

For the last two weeks, I’ve been playing Guilty Gear X2. And I can only wonder if Microsoft and other “big-players” are trying to stamp out 2D games…

I think my main concern is that I currently have the SDK for DirectX 7, but I hear that as from DirectX8 they have totally done away with DirectDraw!

Now I understand that we can place bitmaps on polygons like textures on a 3D model, but what is being done to help 2D game developers to get settled into DirectX8 & 9s 3D interfaces?

As far as I can see MicroSoft are turning their backs on 2D developers…

Am I getting the wrong impression? What do you guys think?:shrug:

#2

Hell, I’ve known that since Sony’s unofficial “no 2D” stance with the original PSX. :smiley:
2D doesn’t sell new and bigger computers/hardware for the companies these days(or else Matrox would be on top), and most developers I’ve seen are doing adequately with 2D-via-3D API.

Since you mentioned GGXX, I don’t think the lack of support for DD is slowing the serious-minded down; have you seen the Melty Blood project?

#3

Whoooaa! Melty Blood looks cool! Thanks for the head-up…:thumbsup:

To be honest, I judge a machine by the loading times of it’s 2D beat-em-ups. GG X2 was the first to stamp-out loading times!

I personally think that GG X2 is visually better than any 3D fighter out there. I also think that doing away with 2D leaves the “bedroom coder” in the dark, mainly because he can’t create 3D objects without buying a 3D app…whereas he make make bitmaps quite simply.

#4

The only place you’ll see some serious 2D support is from Nintendo with their gameboy advance, and the emerging game related cellphones like Nokias’ N-Gage. Perhaps Sony will accept 2D for their recently announced handheld, but it’s too early to tell.

Currently, I don’t believe that there any US developers doing 2D games for any home console nor for PC for that matter. Even companies like Capcom isn’t developing 2D fighting games anymore.

To my knowledge Melty Blood is a doujinsoft, so it’s created by fans, not professionals. Even Guilty Gear is faking most of it’s 2D by using polys with alpha textures.

Sadly, we’ll see less and less 2D games as time passes.

–
JK

#5

Well, I’m too worried to be honest if it is done through a 3D-engine, but I just wished Microsoft did a little more to help us DirectDraw programmers get used to Direct3D…

I’m planning on my next game being in full 3D because the game-dynamics require it to be 3D, but I would like to make another 2D game - preferbly in an Anime Style…:hmm:

#6

a little off topic but it still applies to the idea of 2d gaming.
the game design club i’m part of is working on a new game this summer, and we’ve decided to do a 2d point and click adventure game (a la SCUMM system classics). we’ve ended up using Macromedia Flash as the base for the game work in / on.

#7

Re: Flaagan.

Sounds cool. I wish you & your team the very best!:beer:

#8

I was thinking the same way you are, but once i learned how to use dx8’s 2d through 3d stuff i feel that it was totally worth it. everything runs so fast, and doing stuff like alpha blending is a piece of cake. If you’re having trouble figuring it out, i suggest the book “programming role playing games with directX” the 3d stuff could be better, but it explains the 2d through 3d process pretty well

#9

Re: Jbo.

I see. Perhaps I just need to “break-on-through-to-the-other-side” on this whole 2D-to-3D thing…

When I get my new PC, I’m might have another bash at it…

#10

Actually M$ made 2D programming easier with DX8. The prior interfaces and com objects were way to cumbersome before. I could go into a long drawn out post about how your still able to do 2D with DX but I wont ( for everyones sake)

Just do your research, there are alot of books and white papers dedicated to 2D gamedevr’s using the latest DX releases (Trust me on this).

Plus, never forget that your interfaces, menus, scoreboards etc are still 2D (mostly) …so someone is doing it.

In the end its still Bliting and flipping surfaces to produce animation, but with a little more advanced technology behind it. Learn it, you will better for it in the end and that will help you to jump over to 3D programming which is another beast unto itself.

Later,

Kid Mesh

#11

Re: Kid Mesh.

Hmm…I have to agree that DirectDraw was( or still is? ) slightly cumbersome.

BTW, I tried adding DirectShow to my DirectDraw7 game, but I found out that D-Show was only safely compatible with DirectDraw4…have they brought the two interface up-to-date which each other, yet? I really wanted AVI animations in my game…

#12

This is what you want ------> Highly Recommended BOOK

Cheers,

Kid Mesh

#13

Re: Kid Mesh.

Hmm…looks interesting. I think I should make another trip to the bookstore!:thumbsup:

#14

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