I have been learning C.

The plan is to make 2D & 2 ½D games with as much C code, Open Source libraries, Open Source development software / tools, and cross-platform as I can. I have worked in the game dev industry as an art asset creator, so I want my games to be art oriented, including my own sounds.

My problem with C libraries for GUI is the very old (like 30 years old) looking GUIs which they produce. I am looking at Raylib and figuring out a way to integrate IMGui. Perhaps coding some C++ for a nice looking GUI is inevitable for me.

I am also looking at CMake, mingw32 / 64, and some header-only coding for the purpose of making it easier to deliver cross-platform games.

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

My vision for game development is an interaction between gamer and game in “windows", like RPG in some ways, so the windows will have a lot of art assets. After looking at documentation and tutorials, I am having a difficult time in understanding how my content created in 2D & 3D editors (I use a lot of Blender, Wings3D, GIMP, and Inkscape) can be imported into a game using the existing C GUI (and windows) libraries. Even reading community forums, I have found little information on this.

Heavily coding-oriented developers of frameworks and tools seem to overlook the guys like me who are coders but are very deep into art creation. There is much information and involvement in pixel art and sprite oriented development, but not what I am seeking. By the way, I have 2D & 3D animation experience in the game dev industry, so I eventually want to include my skills in those areas after I assemble a development flow

@fleabay I see that you wisely edited your comment about GUI. GUI is a general term for any graphical interface which connects the user with functionality of a game or other software / application, though sometimes a GUI is used to work with an ABI (GUI to API is much more common). The vast majority of game developers do not directly work in an ABI, but most use GUI connected API. An HUD is a graphical user interface by definition, though I am aware of the misunderstanding among developers. Having worked on HUD for flight simulations, I know.

It reminds me of the misunderstanding of game designer which is an occupation in game development or a subcategory under game development.

There are a lot of people using C GUI libraries for pixel and sprite games, but not other things so much. I have used 3ds Max, Blender, Wings3D, and a bunch of other 3D and 2D software. Many times I have had to search for tools to convert or to encode art assets to be used by frameworks, software, or libraries, but this particular issue with C GUI libraries and frameworks is proving to be very time consuming.

I would rather be coding and creating !

@frob I have not even had enough information to get started in putting together the software, tools, libraries. The information environment is so obscure, I do not even know what specific questions to ask.

The hundreds of hours of research surrounding my basic strategy has helped and I learned many things, but I still have no ability to begin working until I understand what I need specifically. Several times I spent weeks researching to only come to dead ends.

However, I feel that the breakthrough in my understanding is coming soon.

My biggest problem is making game GUI (menu, etc.) which is written in C, OS cross-platform, and is compatible with any art assets which I want to include from any of the major art software. This includes animation.

A lot of framework and tool developers pigeon hole a guy into using the things which such people included in their framework ability.

Artists use the tools which best suit them. This is a HUGE conflict and struggle for the artist.

I do not have the money to spend on expensive line of softwares, a kind of commercial development chain.

I have the coding skills and the art skills BUT NOT THE INVESTMENT MONEY