sgdk

SGDK is a free and open development kit for creating software in C for the Sega Mega Drive. It ships the development library with source code plus custom tools used to compile resources into a ROM image. The build uses the GCC compiler (m68k-elf target) and libgcc; prebuilt GCC 13.2 binaries are provided for Windows, while other operating systems require a separate compiler install. Java is also required because the custom tools depend on it. The library and custom tools are distributed under the MIT license, while GCC and libgcc fall under GPL3 with the GCC runtime library exception. Getting started assumes familiarity with C and at least basic knowledge of Mega Drive hardware, especially its video system. The README links to several technical references covering Mega Drive graphics, architecture, and the Genesis Software Manual. Installation instructions and tutorials live on the project wiki, and an online doxygen documentation generated from header files describes all structures and functions. A central concept is resources, which are compiled through the rescomp tool. The rescomp documentation explains which resource types are supported and how to declare them. The sample folder, particularly the Sonic sample, demonstrates general SGDK usage of functions and resources. Additional tutorials are linked, including Ohsat, Danibus (Spanish), and a Pigsy YouTube series, with a caution that some online tutorials are outdated or contain errors. The README lists useful asset tools: pixel art and sprite editors such as Aseprite, Graphics Gale, Pro Motion, Grafx2, and an online palette quantizer; map and level editors including 16Tile, PNGPalPrio4SGDK, Tiled, LDTK, Ogmo, and a palette merger; and music/sound tools such as Deflemask, Furnace, Wavosaur, and Audacity. Alternative sound drivers are noted: MDSDRV, Echo, and MiniMusic. Support channels include the SGDK Discord server and the Spritesmind forum, which has a dedicated SGDK section. For Linux and macOS, the README points to a Wine script, the SGDK Helper, the MarsDev environment (all OSes, also 32X support), and a macOS port. Docker support is no longer integrated; the Doragasu docker solution is recommended instead. A VS Code extension called Genesis-Code simplifies integration, and SGDK includes a VS Code project template. An AWS-based workflow is also documented in an external blog post. SGDK is free but can be supported via Patreon. The README credits numerous contributors for multitasking, controller support, error handling, samples, logos, build scripts, and fixes, and thanks donors. It also showcases projects built with SGDK, including Tanzer, Masiaka, Xeno Crisis, and Demons of Asteborg, plus a longer list of games and demos.