Chapter 15: 2D Games and ClanLib

Overview

It is common to hear both established game developers and students of game development express the sentiment that 2D games are dead and useless, and that 3D games are the only games worth making. There are a great number of erroneous ideas at the root of this conclusion, and proof of the life and vibrancy permeating 2D games has rarely been more apparent than now. Popular and successful games in the indie world that sport 2D as their main perspective include Professor Fizzwizzle, Dr. Lunatic Supreme With Cheese, and Alien Shooter. This chapter and several that follow examine game development in terms of 2D games. Specifically, this chapter explains the following topics:

• ClanLib

• Downloading ClanLib

• Getting started with ClanLib

• Creating your first ClanLib applications

• Drawing graphics and page flipping