Slashdot Mirror
Why You Should Use OpenGL and Not DirectX
stickyboot writes "The independent games developer Wolfire describes why they decided to use OpenGL instead of DirectX. The article mainly discusses the marketing strategies behind DirectX and how the API became so popular. It also goes over why a developer would choose OpenGL over DirectX and what this decision means for the gamer. 'Back in 1997, the situation was similar to how it is now. Microsoft was running a massive marketing campaign for Direct3D, and soon everyone "just knew" that it was faster and better than OpenGL. This started to change when Chris Hecker published his open letter denouncing DirectX. Soon after that, John Carmack posted his famous OpenGL rant, and put his money where his mouth was by implementing all of Id Software's games in OpenGL, proving once and for all that DirectX was unnecessary for high-end 3D gaming. This lesson appears to have been forgotten over the last few years. Most game developers have fallen under the spell of DirectX marketing, or into the whirlpool of vicious cycles and network advantages.'"
This is like a VHS vs. Betamax debate. Like millions of other people, I'm not a developer. I exclusively use Windows for PC gaming. I could give two flying F's whether my game is developed in OGL or DX. Coke, Pepsi, Ford, Chevy, just don't care...
OpenGL will not support features that games need, across platforms. OpenGL is written for the software and does not utilize all of the true 3D realizations of the hardware. To write any modern game on OpenGL is a dismal failure.
Athiesm is a religion like not collecting stamps is a hobby.
I'm not sure if you've noticed, but both windows and the Xbox/360 use DirectX, which represents something like 50-90% of the "gaming market". It's simply easier to write your game/engine for Direct X and be ready to port it to console/PC with little more than a recompile. I don't know if the Xbox supports openGL at all, but I doubt it.
moox. for a new generation.
I have an even better story for Slashdot. It's called "Why You Should Fuck Off and Let People Use What They Want".
WELL, I WANT TO USE A F***in MAC!
And because MS pushes it's big ego around and 90% of the people believe what MS says, I am DENIED that.
There isn't a single game company that would not like to sell to both Windows and Apple customers, but because of MS's BS they falsely think they might be at a disadvantage.