Choosing the right engine

[pitfiend]

I wasn't sure where to post my doubts, so I create a thread in the newcomers corner. What troubles me now, is how to choose the right engine to begin a new project (game related). There are many options, but also many questions. I think the most important question is: Which Engine is the better and easier to learn? my spider sense says it's SDL, maybe it's wrong, maybe not.

I never take on game development before (at least using pascal), have some knowledge on game stuffs, a lot of experience building commercial apps, databases and SQL. For my first pascal game I choose to develop a 2D game, sort of block busting/shooter (more on this later, I promise ).

Currently I'm using Delphi 2007, maybe my selection list will be little, I don't know. GDI+ is an option?

[Relfos]

SDL is good choice indeed, there's lots of documentation around.
Also if you are willing to try, there's my game engine, I tried to make it as simple to use as possible, check www.pascalgameengine.com

[Stoney]

I wouldn't say that there's one engine which is better than all others. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. Try the one that caught your attention. If you like it, stick with it, if not, try another one. Trust me, knowing more than one engine/framework is definitely a plus. There are always different concepts and it's always good to learn new things

Also: SDL is not an engine. And there's a difference between a graphics engine and a game engine.

[pitfiend]

SDL is good choice indeed, there's lots of documentation around.
Also if you are willing to try, there's my game engine, I tried to make it as simple to use as possible, check www.pascalgameengine.com

Going to try SDL. I think it will be fine to start and learn.

I wouldn't say that there's one engine which is better than all others. In the end, it comes down to personal preference. Try the one that caught your attention. If you like it, stick with it, if not, try another one. Trust me, knowing more than one engine/framework is definitely a plus. There are always different concepts and it's always good to learn new things

Also: SDL is not an engine. And there's a difference between a graphics engine and a game engine.

I'm aware that graphics and game engine are not the same. I agree about learning to use more that one framework, but when you have no knowledge you must start with one, the easier and most complete in features maybe a good choice.

That's why I asked for advice.

[Stoney]

In that case you might need to rephrase your question to "What are you expecting from a (game) framework?"

SDL is very low level (but not as low-level as WinAPI), function-based (no class structure), you have to fiddle around with pointers, create a game loop by hand, there are no game logic helpers (i.e. no entity management, no scene management or any game design concepts whatsoever). All of that is not a bad thing of course.
If that is what you were looking for, go for it.

[code_glitch]

Thing with SDL is it has a nice progression, SDL is interoperable with OpenGL so when SDL becomes too restrictive or too slow, just throw in some GL code. And once you're comfortable with OpenGL you dont need SDL and you can write your own libs!