SDL 2.0 Release Improves 2D/3D Rendering, Better Audio & New Features

An anonymous reader writes "Simple DirectMedia Layer 2.0 has finally been released. The cross-platform multimedia layer used by hundreds of cross-platform games has seen its first major release in years. The SDL 2.0 release has many new features including GL3 and OpenGL ES rendering support, a new 2D rendering API, better full-screen / multi-window support, multiple input support, Android and iOS support, power management, and other new functionality. SDL 2.0 can be downloaded from libsdl.org."

Comments

Installation Information

[tepples]

Like the GPL, the LGPL requires distributions of executable applications to provide "scripts for controlling installation" (2.1) or "Installation Information" (LGPLv3) for running an application with a modified library. Console makers have shown themselves unwilling to allow video game publishers to provide this sort of Installation Information to the public.

Re:Installation Information

[tlhIngan]

Like the GPL, the LGPL requires distributions of executable applications to provide "scripts for controlling installation" (2.1) or "Installation Information" (LGPLv3) for running an application with a modified library. Console makers have shown themselves unwilling to allow video game publishers to provide this sort of Installation Information to the public.

Actually, in general, console makers are against open-source period. Technically speaking, you COULD use GPLv2 code in your game (making it GPLv2), but pretty much all the console makers prohibit any sort of thing like that. In 2009, the ScummVM team found ScummVM used in 3 Wii games and then people realized their SDK agreement prohibited open-source.

And naturally, the installation information will never be public because it'll contain private keys that the console makers would rather keep private.

About the only code allowed for a console game is BSD or BSD like (zlib, apache, etc). where the developer has full control of the code.

Of course, the Wii U, Xbox One and PS4 will probably see hefty revisions to their developer agreements as AAA titles become de-emphasized and the next gen will be about indie games.

Re:Staticlinkable to closed software not a good th

[Narishma]

The license change happened more than a year before Sam Lantinga was hired by Valve.

Re:Staticlinkable to closed software not a good th

[HaZardman27]

Oh, interesting; I did not know that. Thanks for pointing it out instead of yelling at me for being lazy and not looking it up ;)