GAPI Overview
The following table describes how the Game API (GAPI) provides solutions for developers who want to write high-performance, real-time games on devices running on Windows Mobile-based devices.
| Goal | GAPI solution |
|---|---|
| Provide fast, animated graphics | Allows direct access to the display's video frame buffer (VFB) memory. Every device is different, so GAPI defines each device. |
| Use the hardware keys on Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs for game controls | Allows applications to take control of the hardware keys. Defines optimal key maps for each device. |
| Turn off sounds | Turns sound off when the application is in the foreground. |
| Hide the menu bar | Manages hiding the menu bar and restoring it to the proper state when quitting or losing focus. |
| Prevent disruption of the normal use of the device | Manages focus issues. Provides simple calls like IsForeground. |
| Flash the back light for special effects | Manages the problems and provides a simple API call to accomplish this. |
| Use the vibrate alarm as a rumble pack | Future solution under development. |
The following elements are associated with the Game API feature area:
A typical game or application using GAPI calls the following GAPI functions:
- GXOpenDisplay—This function enables GAPI display support.
- GXOpenInput—This function enables normalized hardware key messages.
- GXGetDisplayProperties—This function retrieves a structure that defines the VFB.
- GXGetDefaultKeys—This function retrieves default key values.
GAPI is also useful for other applications that need to use the device in a way that is not supported by the operating system.
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