If you are new to low-level graphics programming or you would like to learn about zig-gamedev framework I recommend starting with intro applications.

zig-gamedev project

This repository contains a collection of sample applications and libraries written in Zig programming language. Prebuilt binaries for all sample applications can be found in Releases. Project is under active development, see Roadmap and Progress Reports for the details.

I build game development stuff in Zig full-time. As a sample of my work please see this video. If you like my project and my mission to promote the language, please consider supporting me.

Some features and libraries we develop:

• Zero dependency except Zig compiler (master) - no Visual Studio/Build Tools/Windows SDK is needed - this repo + Zig compiler package (60 MB) is enough to start developing (any debugger can be used)
• Building is as easy as running zig build (see: Building)
• zmath - fast SIMD math library for game developers (fully cross-platform)
• zbullet - Zig bindings and C API for Bullet physics library (fully cross-platform)
• zwin32 - standalone Zig bindings for Win32 API
• zd3d12 - helper library for working with DirectX 12
• zxaudio2 - helper library for working with XAudio2
• zpix - support for GPU profiling with PIX
• ztracy - support for CPU profiling with Tracy
• Interop with Direct2D and DirectWrite for high-quality vector graphics and text rendering
• Uses some great C/C++ libraries which are seamlessly built by zig cc compiler (see: libs/common/src/c)

Sample applications

Some of the sample applications are listed below. More can be found in samples directory.

1. rasterization: This sample application shows how GPU rasterizes triangles in slow motion.

   

2. physically based rendering: This sample implements physically based shading and image based lighting to achive realistic looking rendering results.

   

3. simple raytracer: This sample implements basic hybrid renderer. It uses rasterization to resolve primary rays and raytracing (DXR) for shadow rays.

   

4. mesh shader test: This sample shows how to use DirectX 12 Mesh Shader.

   

5. virtual physics lab: This sample application demonstrates how to use full 3D physics engine in your Zig programs.

   

6. audio playback test: This sample demonstrates how to decode .mp3 file using Microsoft Media Foundation and play it back using Windows Audio Session API (WASAPI).

   

7. DirectML convolution test: This sample demonstrates how to perform GPU-accelerated convolution operation using DirectML.

   

Building sample applications

To build all sample applications (assuming zig.exe is in the PATH and Git LFS is installed):

1. git clone https://github.com/michal-z/zig-gamedev.git
2. cd zig-gamedev
3. zig build

Build artifacts will show up in zig-out/bin folder.

zig build <sample_name> will build sample application named <sample_name>.

zig build <sample_name>_run will build and run sample application named <sample_name>.

zig build <sample_name>_dxc will build shaders for sample application named <sample_name>.

To list all available sample names run zig build help and navigate to Steps section.

As mentioned above, the only dependency needed to build this project is Zig compiler, neither Visual Studio nor Windows SDK has to be installed.

Zig compiler consists of a single ~60MB .zip file that needs to be downloaded separately. Latest development build of the compiler must be used (master) you can download prebuilt binaries here.

Build options

All sample applications support the following build options:

• -Drelease-safe=[bool] - Optimizations on and safety on
• -Drelease-fast=[bool] - Optimizations on and safety off
• -Denable-pix=[bool] - PIX markers and events enabled
• -Denable-dx-debug=[bool] - Direct3D 12, Direct2D, DXGI debug layers enabled
• -Denable-dx-gpu-debug=[bool] - Direct3D 12 GPU-Based Validation enabled (requires -Denable-dx-debug=true)
• -Dtracy=[path/to/tracy/source] - Tracy profiler zones enabled

Examples:

zig build -Denable-dx-debug=true -Drelease-fast=true

zig build -Dtracy="C:/Development/tools/Tracy/tracy-0.7.8"

zig build simple_raytracer

zig build simple_raytracer_run

Requirements

This project uses DirectX 12 Agility SDK which allows to always use latest DirectX 12 features regardless of Windows version installed (this works from Windows 10 November 2019). In particular, following Windows versions are supported:

• Windows 10 May 2021 (Build 19043) or newer
• Windows 10 October 2020 (Build 19042.789+)
• Windows 10 May 2020 (Build 19041.789+)
• Windows 10 November 2019 (Build 18363.1350+)

GitHub Sponsors

Thanks to all people who sponsor zig-gamedev project! In particular, these fine folks sponsor zig-gamedev for $25/month or more:

• mzet (mzet-)
• Zig Software Foundation (ziglang)
• Ian (LinuXY)
• Simon A. Nielsen Knights (tauoverpi)
• shintales (shintales)
• Chris Heyes (hazeycode)