Is XNA dying and MS forcing to C++?

Robert Zimmermann · 2012-10-22T05:57:33

Hi GameDevs, I started programming a year ago with Pascal (Lazarus) and moved then to C# to make some Windows Phone 7 apps. I made some small apps for companys, but now that I got some experience I want to start coding my first small 2D games. After some games I will try myself on a paid game-app. With this as my clear and not to high goals I searched for the best Framework to choose and remembered XNA. It´s relativly easy to use and C# is my language of choice. But how is the future of XNA? MS removed it from VS2012 and that makes me curious. I wouldn´t call it dead or nearly dead, but I don´t want to learn a "dead" Framework. It seems like I´m forced to C++ and DirectX or other Engines /C++ and DX in case of apps) Is XNA still worth learning? Or do I have to switch to C++? What other choices do I have? Thanks. -Sooker

For Beginners

Started by Sooker September 19, 2012 01:16 PM

123 comments, last by viper110110 11 years, 6 months ago

BCullis

1,955

September 25, 2012 03:50 PM

what about those whose focus is XBLIG?

That's pretty self-explanatory, no? XBLIG is on XBox Live. Since the platform and OS isn't changing, XNA is still perfectly viable (and your only option anyway, I believe)

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IndyOfComo

835

September 25, 2012 06:06 PM

(and your only option anyway, I believe)

It's this part that I wasn't 100% on. Thanks.

Here is my technical background info.

ATC

551

September 25, 2012 06:37 PM

It's this part that I wasn't 100% on. Thanks.

For professionals there is the XDK (XBox Development Kit). But the license costs $$$ and Microsoft is selective in who is able to obtain it. If you had a good enough game concept, some money and know what you're doing it could be an option.

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6677

1,054

September 25, 2012 07:31 PM

some money

Talking a lot of money, not $10000 or something (a large enough amount on its own), multiply that by 10, maybe even 50 or even more....

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EddieV223

1,840

September 28, 2012 02:09 AM

If you switch to c++, look up some libraries such as Irrlicht ( my fav ), ogre3d, and allegro. These do in c++ what xna does for c#.

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gnubberlang

101

September 28, 2012 03:32 AM

It's a shame to hear this about XNA (mostly a c#/xna person here), but thanks everyone for the great info on alternatives.

Sooker

299

Author

September 28, 2012 04:06 AM

I tried SharpDX the last couple days and have to say that it fells nice, but the lack of documentation is a bit of a problem.
But with the samples and the tutorials wich are there you can make a 2D game without big problems.

I´m Staying at SharpDX

Thanks for your help

Ultrahead

210

September 28, 2012 12:06 PM

I´m Staying at SharpDX

Wise decision ...

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NightCreature83

5,061

September 28, 2012 12:36 PM

[quote name='ATC' timestamp='1348598250' post='4983671']
some money

Talking a lot of money, not $10000 or something (a large enough amount on its own), multiply that by 10, maybe even 50 or even more....
[/quote]
This license however also comes with a full version of VS2010 Professional per devkit so for a company you actually save a bit as a license for VS isn't cheap either.

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Sooker

299

Author

October 08, 2012 09:32 AM

I finally got some time to try SharpDX and have a small core wich can render a triangle. I also read the rastertek DX11 tutorials. It's low api and my concerns are that I am more programming an engine than a game. I will try a pong next, but I feel like I spend 80% to graphic initialization and handling then the actual game

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