Which is a better option, OpenGL or a game engine for developing a game for the iphone or ipod touch?
iphone, opengl
Solution
This really depends on how comfortable you are programming graphics code. OpenGL is easy to get used to if you have a strong C background, but if you're used to an object-oriented language like Java it can be difficult. As Dominic mentioned, you also have to write a substantial amount of code to get a good game off the ground. 3D adds a substantial amount of complexity over 2D.
I would suggest using a game engine such as Unity. I have a friend that writes iPhone games using it, and I've been very impressed with the results. It will import 3D models from Maya or 3D Studio Max directly and worry about texturing, materials, etc...
The only downside to this approach is that the game engine cannot be optimized to your specific needs. If there's a special OpenGL technique you want to use, or a very graphics-intensive scene you need to render, writing everything directly in OpenGL will give you more control and better results.
Problem
I am new to OpenGL ES, and I'm about to begin a 3D game for the iphone in which we are showing some car pursuit or racing. Is it possible just with the OpenGL ES or UIKit only, or do I have to use other tools for it? I am comfortable with UIKit but newer to OpenGL/OpenGL ES; which would be better to start this game? Or should I use a game engine? If so, then which game engine would give us the 3D feeling, quality of images and motion, and rendering of the views with the sound effects?