Learn the basics of desktop game development using DirectX with the Windows Runtime. We also show you how to develop games as a Windows Store app built for Windows using C++, C#, or Visual Basic and XAML.
Creating a DirectX game
For games that involve complex 2D graphics or 3D graphics, you can use the DirectX graphics libraries: Direct2D and Direct3D. You develop DirectX games using native C/C++, and if you never developed in these languages, you will find this a difficult place to get started, especially if you have never developed for Windows before.
In this section
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
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Learn the basics for getting started with DirectX game development. | |
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Walkthrough: create a simple Windows Store game with DirectX |
In this set of tutorials, you learn how to create a basic Windows Store game with DirectX and C++. We cover all the major parts of a game, including the processes for loading assets such as arts and meshes, creating a main game loop, implementing a simple rendering pipeline, and adding sound and controls. |
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Learn how to create a 3D Windows Store game using C++ and DirectX. |
Note Windows 8 uses DirectX 11.1. Therefore, Windows Store apps must use DirectX 11.1 APIs.
Creating a Windows Store XAML game
Windows 8 provides a Windows Store app development model for managed code (C#, Visual Basic, and C++) developers creating an interface-driven application with XAML. XAML is an XML schema that defines tags used by the Windows Runtime Windows.UI.Xaml libraries to determine the layout and rendering of user interface elements and containers for desktop apps.
If you know the Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) libraries, Silverlight, or Silverlight for Windows Phone, developing a Windows Store app will feel familiar. Although there are no managed DirectX libraries, the Windows Runtime libraries provide a core set of XAML-based graphics APIs that you can use to build 2D games and simpler 3D games.
For more info about creating a Windows Store app with XAML, see Create your first Windows Store app using C# or Visual Basic.
Related topics
Build date: 3/22/2013
