file extension BB

The latest product from Blitz Research Labs, a 3d graphics engine based on the engine in Blitz3D. It is designed to be used with C++, C#, Blitz Max and PureBasic, however it can be used with other languages.

The latest in the range of Blitz languages is BlitzMax, which unlike previous Blitz products is designed to run for multiple operating systems. It was released for Mac OS first in December 2004 and then for Microsoft Windows and Linux in May 2005. BlitzMax brought the largest change of language structure to the modern range of Blitz products by adding object-oriented concepts and switching the graphics layer to favour OpenGL.

BlitzMax is also the first modular version of the language, allowing plugins to be written for the language itself. This opened up new possibilities for programmers to configure the language, as well as to purchase improved components from Blitz Research Limited. The official BlitzMax cross-platform GUI module was recently released by Blitz Research Limited, allowing developers to write GUI interfaces for their applications on Linux, Mac, and Windows.

In February 2003 Blitz Research Limited released BlitzPlus, also for Microsoft Windows. It does not have the 3D engine of Blitz3D, but does bring new features to the 2D side of the language by allowing some control over Microsoft Windows forms and widgets, as well as implementing compatibility of the 2D engine as far back as DirectX 1.

Blitz3D was then released later in September 2001 and was also for Microsoft Windows. It was distributed at first by Idigicon. Blitz3D is Blitz Basic with a built in 3D engine and command list allowing the creation of 3D games for the first time in the Blitz range of languages. It kept all of Blitz BASIC's older commands and incorporated an entirely new set for the movement and rendering of three-dimensional objects. It used DirectX7 to create 3D, and competes with other similar PC game-development languages such as Dark Basic.

Blitz Research Limited later signed a deal with Idigicon giving them full rights to distribute Blitz Basic, to clear their stock of copies of Blitz 3D, and to now allow Blitz Research Limited to distribute Blitz3D themselves.

Blitz Basic was released in October 2000 for Microsoft Windows which allowed only 2D graphics. It was Blitz Research's first product and was published by Idigicon. It is now discontinued from its developers, but is still available from Idigicon.
Recognition of Blitz Basic increased when a limited range of "free" versions were distributed on popular UK computer magazines such as PC Format.