how far does the winapi get as far as game programming without directx? does it even support 3d?
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how far does the winapi get as far as game programming without directx? does it even support 3d?
Windows GDI
and OpenGL of course, but only if you're not using Vista (which translates OpenGL into DirectX10)
versions prior to vista support OpenGL directly, vista just translates it, which effectively makes OpenGL slower on vista than on other operating systems all else being the same.
Any particular reason to avoid DIrectX?
i dont really want to get to serious in game programming and i dont think it it would be worth it just for the basic games i want to make with just the api...
Your best bet is to dive into OpenGL/DirectX, even with simple games. It will benefit in the long run and you understand the API more fully then.
Windows GDI is complex and wasn't designed for game programming.