Bitmaps are native to windows, and are directly supported by the Win32 API. I think Teej is just using them to make it simpler to understand the workings of the actual Game without worrying about the details of image loading with other formats.
Myself, I use PNG images for most of my programming needs. If you're interested in PNG, check out http://www.libpng.org/pub/png/ (I think) I'll change that link if I'm wrong, (It's been a while since I downloaded it.)
Seriously though, if you're just wanting to learn how to make the game, just stick with bitmaps for now, since you won't need any extra libraries or any other details of loading different formats. If you're feeling up to it though, give it a shot. That's really the only way to learn, right?
![](smile.gif)
Good luck,
DracosX
// Edit: The link was wrong. My bad. :P
<Edit>
<Irony>
So quickly I boast. Just today, my little brother deleted my PNGLoader library along with libpng AND my source!
I guess now, I'm forced to re-work it out.
</Irony>
</Edit>
Edited by - DracosX on July 4, 2001 3:35:57 AM