On 9 Nov 2001, Miles Nordin wrote:

> The eventual goal is to use NetBSD for writing video games, thus
> opening up an entirely new marketable arena for NetBSD code.  It seems
> like mouse support, X11, and shared libraries aren't useful for
> writing video games since most games use the standard controller, a
> 3D-specific display abstraction rather than X11, and can compile into
> one giant binary plus texture/sound/... file(s).

Mouse support isn't useful for writing video games? There are plenty of
games that make excellent use of a mouse to optimize cursor or
control functions originally controlled by the analog or D-pad on the
controller. I guess it all depends on whether or not you think
PC-style games belong on a console system like Dreamcast, and I think many
of them do.

I couldn't imagine trying to play Unreal Tournament without a mouse.
Actually I can, because I tried it one time, as a joke. It was a mess.

So, I haven't been keeping up with progress lately, but how much progress
has been made on libraries and such that allow for application level
utilization of the controller or (even non-3d) display? I'd really love to
start writing some game code, and my Dreamcast would be an excellent
platform to play with.

Regards,
  Andrew (prez@codeninja.ca)