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

Start with OpenGL because there are good textbooks and other online references on it. Once you get the hang of writing 3D game, you would be able to make the judgment for yourself.

Finishing a game, even if it's really stupid and simple just to get you going, is more important than picking the right library. With glut, you can get some 3D object to show up on your screen in a day. Start with NeHe's tutorials.

Answer 2

I have no previous OpenGL, DirectX or videogame experience and i have made have an open source race videogame with Ogre3d. Is a very good framework to start in videogames: well done code, plenty of docs and info in the net and very good starting tutorials.

The rendering engine is DirectX/OpenGl agnostic, you can later select to render your game with OpenGL or DirectX (withouth changes in your code)

Answer 3

If you're willing to consider C#, take a good look at XNA. For hobby projects, assuming what you want is to actually get a game up and running instead of tinkering with complex API code, I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is increasingly mature, well-documented, and, compared to D3D/OpenGL, very quick and easy to use. As a bonus, with a $100/year Creators Club membership, you can even use it to develop games for the Xbox 360.