TITLE
    Mac OS: What is a Game Sprocket?
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		24866
3/31/99
6/18/99
TOPIC


    I see several files in my System Folder with the word "Sprocket" in the title. The Info window shows that these are copyright Apple Computer. What are they and what are they for?

DISCUSSION

    Apple Game Sprockets is a set of technologies designed to make writing Macintosh games easier for developers. They are designed specifically to provide the functionality that games need on the Macintosh: drawing to the screen, handling input devices, setting up multiplayer games, and simulating 3D sound sources.

    There are four kinds of game sprockets: InputSprocket, DrawSprocket, NetSprocket and SoundSprocket.

    InputSprocket allows games to support a wide variety of input devices including joysticks, gamepads, steering wheels and flight sticks without having to write customized routines for each.

    DrawSprocket gives game developers a way of using different graphics hardware (video cards/chips) without having to write customized routines for that hardware. DrawSprocket allows the user to select among any connected monitor that meets the requirements of the game.

    NetSprocket gives game developers standard ways to configure networking preferences and to send and receive information to other players.

    SoundSprocket gives game developers an easier way to use sound including simulating 3D sound. SoundSprocket will display a dialog for configuring the sound options supported by the game.

    For more detailed technical information see:

    http://developer.apple.com/games/sprockets/introduction.html

    Updates

    You can find the latest releases of Game Sprockets at:

    http://developer.apple.com/games/sprockets/
    ftp://ftp.apple.com/developer/Games/

Document Information
Product Area: Mac OS System Software
Category: General OS
Sub Category: General Topics

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