My first introduction to graphics programming was with OpenGL in 2D, the class was taught to us using the older style of OpenGL and while some folk I know have questioned this, I feel that it was probably a good idea. The new standard ( which is what I now mainly work with for OpenGL based applications) is much more involved, and in my opinion assumes a much deeper grasp of programming in general, than the older deprecated style. This isn’t a bad thing, however when trying to teach fairly inexperienced students about vertices, viewports etc, and also trying to keep them involved it can be easier to use a simpler style of coding.
The first project I completed in 2D was an example of the common “Moon Lander” program, and this was completed in partnership with a fellow student with the two of us working in a kind of pair-programming way. The clip below will give you a general idea of how the game looked and played,
and the link will allow you to download a copy of the .exe to try.
Download MoonLander.zip: