Why You Should Use OpenGL Instead Of DirectX

[Benetanegia]

I am thinking of Oblivion specifically right now, it was created with Direct X for the 360, and was released for PC as well. They made an economical choice.

That's the point the guy in the article is making. With DirectX you have Windows and Xbox360 and that's it. With OpenGL you can make it for almost everything, so wouldn't it be better to just go with it? In fact almost ALL games have been ported to OpenGL anyway, since the PS3 kind of uses OGL and also the Wii does. Well in both cases we are talking about a propietary API based on OpenGL, but they can run standard OpenGL(ES) too. The porting is being made, so why not make it in OpenGL in the first place for every platform that supports it and then port it to directX for the Xbox?

The problem is that people have the perception that OpenGL is just not good enough for the job, when in fact, it's actually more capable in many areas. Sure, currently it doesn't have all the features DirectX has, but that's a problem derived from the oblivion to which OGL has been sent and not any technological obstacle. The problem started when M$ decided to stop supporting OGL and left the OGL working group and how Nvidia and Ati followed M$ strategy of promoting avery new DirectX as if it was the second coming of Jesus.

 

[GSG-9]

Wii does not have the graphic capabilities of the other systems, in my mind at least it is not considered for highly graphic intensive games. For example dead space 2 is specifically for it and a rail shooter. I don't know anything about what the PS3 uses for code, and if you can program games for the 360 while still using xbox live I don't know why they don't. Microsoft provides and entire community for XNA/DX. I am not sure if there is a Live disincentive for not designing on the XNA system. Anyone know?

The problem started when M$ decided to stop supporting OGL and left the OGL working group and how Nvidia and Ati followed M$ strategy of promoting avery new DirectX as if it was the second coming of Jesus.

They need some reason to convince non-enthusiasts to upgrade, when the midrange cards are getting over 110 fps there is not really any reason to upgrade unless you want more monitors or something else. That might just mean we need more blockbuster games to.

 

[Wile E]

Here's my take on the topic of the OP. As an end user, I just don't give a damn. All I care about is I get my games with the storyline, eye candy and features I want, all for a price I am willing to pay. The underlying technologies don't mean shit to me, only the end result.

 

[GSG-9]

Here's my take on the topic of the OP. As an end user, I just don't give a damn. All I care about is I get my games with the storyline, eye candy and features I want, all for a price I am willing to pay. The underlying technologies don't mean shit to me, only the end result.

Thats what it comes down to for me as well, once in a blue moon I delve deeper. But when that happens its normally only to tweak or change a model/texture. It does not go into layers and pipelines.

 

[MN12BIRD]

I said it before in another thread but I'll mention it again. I haven't seen or used OpenGL in such a long time I had only assumed it had fallen behind and couldn't keep up with the latest DX9-DX10 glitter. But then I ran the Heaven benchmark. I noticed it has an OpenGL option so I figured I would try it. I couldn't tell the difference between DX10 and OpenGL no matter how hard I looked at the screen. OpenGL looked amazing and as far as I can remember it didn't run any slower either. That made me question why we haven't seen more games use it lately.

 

[eidairaman1]

Fair Enough in all but here are the advantages and drawbacks of Open GL.

It can be modified by anyone

It can be modified by anyone.

TBH sticking with a Standard like DX is easier for game devs.

Standards move industries around and keep compatibility.

TBH i could care less if the game is OpenGL or DX Based, aslong as it runs on my machine.

 

[GSG-9]

Standards move industries around and keep compatibility.

So true.

I said it before in another thread but I'll mention it again. I haven't seen or used OpenGL in such a long time I had only assumed it had fallen behind and couldn't keep up with the latest DX9-DX10 glitter.

Quite the contrary it has some beautiful work.
This is Open GL 2.1, not even 3.0.

Also keep in mind this is an O|GL render, not an in game/engine shot.

 

[Mussels]

But average Joe could understand "You need geforce 6 series/radeon X1000 series or later models." no problems on this side

and when they have intel/via/SIS video?

 

[DirectorC]

and when they have intel/via/SIS video?

Then they shouldn't be attempting to use anything with modern 3D graphics

 

[TheMailMan78]

I said it before in another thread but I'll mention it again. I haven't seen or used OpenGL in such a long time I had only assumed it had fallen behind and couldn't keep up with the latest DX9-DX10 glitter. But then I ran the Heaven benchmark. I noticed it has an OpenGL option so I figured I would try it. I couldn't tell the difference between DX10 and OpenGL no matter how hard I looked at the screen. OpenGL looked amazing and as far as I can remember it didn't run any slower either. That made me question why we haven't seen more games use it lately.

I guess you havent played anything made with the Doom 3 engine then. Also what do consoles use? Its got me wondering.

 

[koorosh]

and when they have intel/via/SIS video?

Well you're right but most games don't support integraded graphics officially. Also you can add a few more lines about that ones in system requirements

 

[AsRock]

Only used OpenGL in IL-2 and it's not on par with DX mode. Remember using it a lot back in the 3DFX days.

I do hope it makes a come back as it was about 16 month ago i heard any thing good about making a come back with DX10 feats. I hope it does and it be good.

Linux gaming sounds nice to me.