alright, I feel that i've at least somewhat got a grip on c++, I've made a command line chess game, and I was trying to move on to big fancy graphics. First, I decided to take the next step in game complication. I'm trying to make a basic artillery trajectory game, like worms or pocket tanks. I figured gdi would be easier to get an initial grasp on, especially because i just need something 2d, but after a few weeks of scratching my head at my own code, i'm getting kind of frustrated. I can make a line that the cannonball should follow at the proper power and angle, but i've been hopelessly stuck at trying to get something to actually Follow the line. i guess my question boils down to this:
1. is gdi even worth screwing with? if i plan to make more complex (3d) games in the future, i wouldn't think knowledge of gdi would help too much.
2. is it any easier with opengl? right now i'm having to deal with changing the color of individual pixels on a window at specified coordinates, and i kinda think to myself that this probably isn't the most effective way to go about doing what i want to do.
3. directx? i've heard directx is harder, but i've also heard that it's more robust, and can utilize effects and stuff more easily. either way, is it worth learning over opengl if my final goal is to make a robust game?
thanks.