[IGDA_indies] SDL commercial viability

[Tom Spilman]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: indies-bounces at igda.org 
> [mailto:indies-bounces at igda.org] On Behalf Of Brandon J. Van Every
> Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 4:52 PM
> To: Indie SIG mailing list
> Subject: [IGDA_indies] SDL commercial viability

> Last I checked 6 months ago, SDL doesn't do HW alpha 
> blending.  Alpha blending is often a modern eye candy 
> requirement, and part of the contemporary motivation for 
> "doing 2D with 3D."  SDL has got SW alpha blending but it's 
> slow.  I suppose some games can make do with anything, i.e. 
> even plain old Windows GDI suffices.  

 It will do HW alpha blending on the rare 2d cards that support it.

> I'm not sure if the OpenGL layer solves HW alpha blending 
> problems, or if using the OpenGL layer would create undesired 
> deployment constraints.  Anyone know the answer?

 That does solve it if your ok with the a 3d card requirement and your
customers are familiar with details like good drivers.

  Tom Spilman
  Co-owner | Programmer
  www.sickheadgames.com