The document discusses various options to consider for game development platforms, including Flash, Shockwave, Silverlight, Java, .NET, C++, and Torque engines. It provides brief descriptions of features, supported platforms, licensing, and other key details for each platform and framework. Resources are also listed for getting more information on Torque engines, 3D engines, and game engines overall.

1. Games Technologies Ori Hanegby [email_address]

2. What should I consider? Platforms Browser Consoles Features Performance Price Licensing

3. Flash 2d and vector based graphics Movie clips and timelines MP3 support ActionScript Windows, Mac, Linux, Mobile Phones, all Browsers Browser penetration ~ 98%

4. Flash No 3d Some limitations - right clicks, mouse focus, propriety development and debugging tools

5. Flash Games

6. Shockwave Javascript/Lingo Poor browser penetration for web games 3D support Strong audio support (streaming, panning etc.) Havock physics engine Flash support Can be extended with C++

7. Shockwave Games

8. Silverlight Runs in web browsers Develop with Visual Studio 2008 Javascript, VB, C#, Python, Ruby Still not widely accepted Cross platform

9. Silverlight

10. Java Cross platform < 90% browser penetration Large runtime download Java versions incompatibilities 2D, 3D support

11. Java

12. .NET based Can be programmed in any compatible language C# Managed C++ VB.NET Microsoft development tools Needs a big .NET Runtime download (19MB) Windows focused

13. XNA Game Studio .NET based game development platform C# Windows and Xbox360 Express version is free 3D

14. XNA

15. C++ Extreme flexibility Harder (and slower) development Browser support using ActiveX or browser plug in High performance The majority of hits were developed using C++

16. Torque engines Torque Game Builder Torque Game Engine Torque Game Engine Advanced Torque X Indie Licensing Multiplayer support Scripting with TorqueScript Good Toolset

17. Torque

18. Frameworks BlitzMax 2D/3D, Cross Platform, Basic/C hybrid, Easy for beginners Popcap SDK C++, Used in successful games, FMOD and BASS sound engines, feature rich. Playground SDK Cross platform, Lua scripting, feature rich.

19. APIs DirectX Direct3D, DirectInput, DirectDraw, DirectSound and more. Lots of versions – lower version = more compatibility OpenGL 3D graphics, cross platform SDL 2D graphics, sound, input, cross platform

20. Open Source Engines Ogre3D High end features LGPL Irrlicht Supports older hardware Liberal license Lots of others

21. Resources Torque engines: http://www.garagegames.com 3d engines database: http://www.devmaster.net/engines/ List of game engines and related games: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_game_engines