In just 21 days, you'll learn all the skills you need to build games and more with Direct3D, one of DirectX's graphics libaries, in your 2D game programs. Direct3D is not just for 3D game programming! With a little know-how, you can use it to create any kind of graphically based program you want. As you learn about using Direct3D for 2D programs, you'll discover how to handle bitmaps, animation, sound, and much more. More importantly, you'll learn to create an old-style role-playing game, along the lines of the early Ultima games, and you'll do it all without page after page of complicated math!