OpenGL or Direct3D for a new Windows game project? Or something else?

Question

I\'m starting a hobby game project on Windows that will make heavy use of 3D graphics effects. It will most likely be written in C++.

Should I use OpenGL or Direct3D for

Answer 1

For the situation that you describe, I would recommend Direct3D.

The primary reason to use Direct3D instead of OpenGL is that often video card vendors only do a good job on the OpenGL drivers for their "high end" cards.

The low end game type cards tend to get poor and generally buggy drivers, causing problems on your end user's machines.

If portability is important, then that would be a big reason to look at OpenGL or Ogre instead.

But if you never plan to port, then focus on Direct3D since it is a more widely stable platform with better IHV driver support.