I’m working with a group of people to make a game toolkit (kind of like RPG
toolkit, but for all types of games, and hopefully better).
Well, I want them to join because both are familiar with OpenGL… and I’m
not. But I need to convince them that SDL is worth it (I can do the 2d
stuff, they can do the 3d stuff). How much OGL can be done through SDL? Can
people use all the features, or is it limited somewhat?
You’re the one who is going to be limited by SDL, not them. =) SDL’s 2D
features generally do not work in OpenGL. OpenGL is in no way limited by
SDL, in fact SDL works basically as a GLUT with more sane input handling,
gamma support, sound, and options for a few other useful things.
The one limitation is texture loading - SDL’s image format (SDL_Surface)
does nothing to help OpenGL currently, not that GLUT is any better in this
regard. =) Currently I recommend DevIL for OpenGL users.
Advantages of this toolkit:
The ‘scripting language’ for most of the game is C/C++ (hence if they don’t
know it, they’ll learn what they need, and it’ll be useful for other
things,
if they know it, it’ll be easier)
You might consider implementing it in PyGame actually. Python will teach
them how to program if they’re gonna learn it without the pain of C or C++
syntax.
Games will be very versatile, fast, and easy to make.
I must reiterate my suggestion of Python for this. Check out PySol and
look at how easily new games are added to that for an example of what I
mean. Note however that uses Tk, not SDL.
Built in 2D and 3D graphics systems, + sound and networking if possible.
Very cool.
An AI scripting engine (sorry, it isn’t C++).
C then? (If either C or C++, I recommend leaving this part in a purely
compiled language for speed reasons… The interpretter doesn’t cost much
in terms of CPU, but things like lower-level AI functions and vector maths
are a little more than a moderate system can handle in bytecode…)
RPGs + TBS are definetly possible with this, RTS and FPS may be manageable
too.
It will probably be LGPLed
Also, anyone know of a license similar to LGPL, except that it says you have
to pay royalties to use it if you decide to make a commercial product? Could
you put that in an addendum to the LGPL license?
Such a license would not be compatible with the goals and ideals of either
the GPL or LGPL. Smash Something Interactive has plans to GPL our code,
but allow you to negotiate another license with us for proprietary usage.
In other words, if you are willing to publish your stuff with source code
just like we did (whether or not you’re selling it), we’re quite happy to
let you do so. If that isn’t good enough and you want to keep your
changes to yourself, then you’re going to have to pay us for the privelege
of doing so.
We hope this model will prove successful for us. We won’t offer such a
thing until we’re convinced it’s worth paying for, and even then our
prices should be close to the lowest in the industry. 
Plus since our
offerings will have full downloadable source code, you have opportunity to
make sure you’re getting what you may potentially be paying for. This is
somewhat similar to the model Troll Tech uses for its Qt library, but with
3D gaming engines. =) Keep in mind though that SSI isn’t (quite) just a
few guys who hack 3D code trying to maybe make a few dollars off our work,
we’re intending to actually run a profitable business. So please wish us
luck and happy coding. ;)On Mon, Apr 29, 2002 at 07:11:06AM -0400, Steven James Stapleton wrote:
–
Joseph Carter This end upside-down
<Dr^Nick> SGI_Multitexture is bad voodoo now
<Dr^Nick> ARB is good voodoo
no, voodoo rush is bad voodoo 
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