Getting started with C++ 2D Games

Anders4000 · Aug 2, 2010, 02:26 PM

Hi Everyone! (:

I started reading some books about C++ for beginners some weeks ago, and i think i've learned alot. Before i started learning C++, i used to make programs with VB.Net, CS2D mods and Carnage Contest weapons with LUA and then websites with HTML and CSS.

Now, since i think i'm ready, i want to start making simple 2D games.
And this is where i want your guys help.
Can you recommend any good websites/video series or anything that could help me, and others getting started with C++ 2D gamming?

A simple game i'm thinking about is a fullscreen game, where the is a machinegun (Like machine gun towers from TDs...) that aim at the cursor. And then monsters Is moving to the middle of the screen, to the MG, and then they start attacking it... And when you hold down the LeftMouseClick, the MG fires bullets to kill the monsters.
Basicly just a TD, where you have 1 tower, and the Monsters's mission is to destroy it.

Thanks in advice! (:
- Anders Kjær Damgaard.

ToastyJustice · Aug 3, 2010, 05:15 PM

If you're interested in 2D games for C++, a lot of what you're going to do is going to be dependent upon the graphics engine or graphics library that you choose. A few years back, the one that got me into game development in C/C++ was Allegro and still remains a good choice for 2D games. There are other libraries you may be interested in such as SDL (for more, use google). There are also 3D-oriented libraries that can be used for 2D games but are a bit more complex, such as Ogre, Irrlicht, XNA (DirectX - i.e. Windows/Xbox only & in C#, though it can be done messily in C++), etc. Other than those, you could use DirectX and OpenGL directly, but that takes more advanced knowledge about graphics (as you would be working with primitive vertices and rendering your surfaces).

You're free to go any route you want, as all will take some learning, but the advanced ones take even more. I think SDL or Allegro would be a good place to start and should be all you need to get your game going graphically. Check out the related help tutorials and forums for setting them up with your IDE and then getting started on a basic game.

Aside: SDL & Allegro also have some decent audio built-in, as do some of the other libraries. It may not handle every format but is still quite good.

Anders4000 · Aug 3, 2010, 07:02 PM

Thanks alot for your comment

Gonna look up SDL and Allegro now.

Again, thanks! ^^
- Anders4000

Aug 2, 2010, 02:26 PM	#1
Anders4000 Anders Damgaard Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Denmark Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Getting started with C++ 2D Games Hi Everyone! (: I started reading some books about C++ for beginners some weeks ago, and i think i've learned alot. Before i started learning C++, i used to make programs with VB.Net, CS2D mods and Carnage Contest weapons with LUA and then websites with HTML and CSS. Now, since i think i'm ready, i want to start making simple 2D games. And this is where i want your guys help. Can you recommend any good websites/video series or anything that could help me, and others getting started with C++ 2D gamming? A simple game i'm thinking about is a fullscreen game, where the is a machinegun (Like machine gun towers from TDs...) that aim at the cursor. And then monsters Is moving to the middle of the screen, to the MG, and then they start attacking it... And when you hold down the LeftMouseClick, the MG fires bullets to kill the monsters. Basicly just a TD, where you have 1 tower, and the Monsters's mission is to destroy it. Thanks in advice! (: - Anders Kjær Damgaard.

Aug 3, 2010, 05:15 PM	#2
ToastyJustice HardwareHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 7 Rep Power: 0	Re: Getting started with C++ 2D Games If you're interested in 2D games for C++, a lot of what you're going to do is going to be dependent upon the graphics engine or graphics library that you choose. A few years back, the one that got me into game development in C/C++ was Allegro and still remains a good choice for 2D games. There are other libraries you may be interested in such as SDL (for more, use google). There are also 3D-oriented libraries that can be used for 2D games but are a bit more complex, such as Ogre, Irrlicht, XNA (DirectX - i.e. Windows/Xbox only & in C#, though it can be done messily in C++), etc. Other than those, you could use DirectX and OpenGL directly, but that takes more advanced knowledge about graphics (as you would be working with primitive vertices and rendering your surfaces). You're free to go any route you want, as all will take some learning, but the advanced ones take even more. I think SDL or Allegro would be a good place to start and should be all you need to get your game going graphically. Check out the related help tutorials and forums for setting them up with your IDE and then getting started on a basic game. Aside: SDL & Allegro also have some decent audio built-in, as do some of the other libraries. It may not handle every format but is still quite good.

Aug 3, 2010, 07:02 PM	Thread Starter #3
Anders4000 Anders Damgaard Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Denmark Posts: 2 Rep Power: 0	Re: Getting started with C++ 2D Games Thanks alot for your comment Gonna look up SDL and Allegro now. Again, thanks! ^^ - Anders4000