Exploring the World of MonoGame and SDL

If you’re a game developer looking for a battle-proven, indie-friendly, C#-based game engine with a focus on multi-platform 2D development, MonoGame is your go-to. However, for developers favoring an industry-standard, C/C++ framework that boasts extensive hardware abstraction and support for 3D graphics, SDL shines as the preferred choice.

Key Differences Between MonoGame and SDL

• Coding Language: MonoGame employs C#, while SDL opts for C and C++.
• Framework Focus: MonoGame excels in 2D game development across multiple platforms; SDL is tailored for hardware abstraction and 3D graphics support.
• Community Support: MonoGame utilizes an open-source, community-driven approach; SDL is managed by the SDL community.
• Platform Integration: MonoGame initially uses SharpDX and DirectX for Microsoft platforms, and OpenTK for non-Microsoft platforms; SDL provides a uniform approach to platform-specific features.

What Is MonoGame and Who’s It For?

MonoGame is a C# framework known for its versatility in game development across various platforms like iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and PlayStation. An open-source tool, it came alive under the MonoGame team in September 2009. Known for being utilized in games like Bastion, Celeste, and Fez, MonoGame is ideal for game developers planning to manifest their imagination on multiple platforms.

In addition, MonoGame focuses on lower-level programming primarily in C#, giving game developers control over each process. However, beginners might find it challenging due to its requirement of basic C# programming language knowledge.

Pros of MonoGame

• Open source and free-to-use.
• Supports multiple platforms.
• Offers maximum control over game development process.
• Community maintained, with volunteer contributions welcomed.

Cons of MonoGame

• Lacks WYSIWYG environment or integrated game editor.
• Misses the mark with high-level programming.
• Paid support needed for iOS and Android.
• Poses a challenge for beginners and leaners.

What Is SDL and Who’s It For?

Managed by the SDL Community, The Simple Directmedia Layer (SDL) was founded in 1998 by Sam Lantinga. It began as a hardware abstraction layer for multimedia hardware components, offering APIs in C with additional language support. SDL is today used extensively by developers for building video games and multimedia applications.

SDL is ideal for developers seeking a uniform method to prioritize platform-specific features, easing the woes of cross-platform development. With over 700 games developed using SDL, it’s a reliable choice for small and large projects. It does, however, require developers to be proficient in C and C++ and have a good understanding of multimedia components.

Pros of SDL

• Facilitates cross-platform software development.
• Supports 3D hardware acceleration and multiple languages.
• Used in over 700 games, indicating its versatility and industry acceptance.
• Offers SDL_Game development guide for 2D game creation.

Cons of SDL

• SDL 2.0 is not backward-compatible, posing a challenge for developers seeking a compatible API.
• Requires C and C++ proficiency, may be challenging for beginners.

Code Examples for MonoGame & SDL

MonoGame

We are creating a sprite animation in MonoGame. MonoGame uses C#, so ensure .NET platform is installed and functioning effectively.

using System; 
using Microsoft.Xna.Framework;
using Microsoft.Xna.Framework.Graphics;

public class Sprite
{
    public Texture2D Texture { get; set; }
    int numberOfFrames;
    TimeSpan frameTime;
    TimeSpan timeForCurrentFrame;
    
    public Sprite(Texture2D texture, int numberOfFrames, TimeSpan frameTime)
    {
        Texture = texture;
        this.numberOfFrames = numberOfFrames;
        this.frameTime = frameTime;
    }
    
    public void Update(GameTime gameTime)
    {
        double t = gameTime.ElapsedGameTime.TotalSeconds;
        timeForCurrentFrame += TimeSpan.FromSeconds(t);
        while(timeForCurrentFrame > frameTime)
        {
            Frame++;
            timeForCurrentFrame -= frameTime;
            if(Frame >= numberOfFrames)
            Frame = 0;
        }
    }
    
    public void Draw(SpriteBatch spriteBatch, Vector2 position)
    {
        int frameWidth = Texture.Width / numberOfFrames;
        Rectangle sourceRect = new Rectangle(Frame * frameWidth, 0, frameWidth, Texture.Height);
        spriteBatch.Draw(Texture, position, sourceRect, Color.White);
    }
}

SDL

In this SDL example, we will open a window and display a red rectangle via C++. Setup SDL library prior to executing this code.

#include <SDL2/SDL.h>

int main(int argc, char* argv[])
{
    SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO);
    SDL_Window *window = SDL_CreateWindow("Red Rectangle", SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED,
                                          SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED, 640, 480,
                                          SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL);
    SDL_Renderer *renderer = SDL_CreateRenderer(window, -1, 0);
    SDL_SetRenderDrawColor(renderer, 255, 0, 0, 255);

    SDL_Rect rect;
    rect.x = 50;
    rect.y = 50;
    rect.w = 120;
    rect.h = 60;

    SDL_RenderClear(renderer);
    SDL_RenderDrawRect(renderer, &rect);
    SDL_RenderPresent(renderer);

    SDL_Delay(5000);

    SDL_DestroyRenderer(renderer);
    SDL_DestroyWindow(window);
    SDL_Quit();

    return 0;
}

Which Trumps Between MonoGame and SDL?

When it comes to choosing between MonoGame and SDL, it is primarily a question of your needs and expertise level as they have distinct offerings.

For Multiplatform Developers

If you’re seeking to create games for a diverse range of platforms with extensive controls over the development process, then MonoGame could potentially be a powerful partner. However, you must be conversant with lower-level programming and initially focus on Windows project.

For High-Level Programmers

If you are comfortable with high-level programming and want a framework that caters to multiple platform functionalities, then SDL proves a wise choice, noted for its support for 3D hardware acceleration and compatibility with both latest DirectX and C++ frameworks.

For Beginners in Game Development

For those dipping their toes into game development, opting for MonoGame would be a good starting point, thanks to its wide array of user-friendly courses. Despite it being challenging, it offers an in-depth development experience tailored for beginners.

For Advanced Game Developers

Experienced game developers can rely on SDL for advanced game-related, object-oriented programming. It’s favourable for both small and larger projects, with enhanced possibilities for hardware acceleration, and flexibility on multitude of platforms.

In a nutshell, MonoGame boasts of battle-tested code-focused C#-based engine, while SDL shines in hardware-accelerated, texture-based rendering API and cross-platform software development. It all boils down to the scale of game development and the developer’s comfort with the programming language.