diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 2cab3856..bf7089f5 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -20,11 +20,16 @@
 # User configurable options
 # -------------------------
 
+# blabla
+# should be no by default in the future
+WITH_SDL2:=yes
+
 # Enables CD audio playback. CD audio playback is used
 # for the background music and doesn't add any further
 # dependencies. It should work on all platforms where
 # CD playback is supported by SDL.
-WITH_CDA:=yes
+# was yes
+WITH_CDA:=no
 
 # Enables OGG/Vorbis support. OGG/Vorbis files can be
 # used as a substitute of CD audio playback. Adds
@@ -145,11 +150,17 @@ endif
 # Extra CFLAGS for SDL
 ifneq ($(OSTYPE), Windows)
 ifeq ($(OSTYPE), Darwin)
+# TODO: set -I.../SDL2/ or /SDL/
 SDLCFLAGS :=
-else
+else # not darwin
+ifeq ($(WITH_SDL2),yes)
+SDLCFLAGS := $(shell sdl2-config --cflags)
+else # not SDL2
 SDLCFLAGS := $(shell sdl-config --cflags)
-endif
-endif
+endif # SDL2
+
+endif # darwin's else
+endif # not windows
 
 # ----------
 
@@ -195,12 +206,17 @@ endif
 
 # Extra LDFLAGS for SDL
 ifeq ($(OSTYPE), Windows)
+# TODO: SDL2 for win/osx
 SDLLDFLAGS := -lSDL
 else ifeq ($(OSTYPE), Darwin)
 SDLLDFLAGS := -framework SDL -framework OpenGL -framework Cocoa
 else
+ifeq ($(WITH_SDL2),yes)
+SDLLDFLAGS := $(shell sdl2-config --libs)
+else
 SDLLDFLAGS := $(shell sdl-config --libs)
 endif
+endif
 
 # ----------
 
@@ -248,6 +264,8 @@ config:
 	@echo "WITH_SYSTEMWIDE = $(WITH_SYSTEMWIDE)"
 	@echo "WITH_SYSTEMDIR = $(WITH_SYSTEMDIR)"
 	@echo "============================"
+	@echo ""
+	@echo "SDL-Debug: $(SDLCFLAGS)"
 	
 # ----------
 
diff --git a/src/backends/sdl/input.c b/src/backends/sdl/input.c
index 887a12d8..408d64cb 100644
--- a/src/backends/sdl/input.c
+++ b/src/backends/sdl/input.c
@@ -37,6 +37,28 @@
 #include <SDL.h>
 #endif
 
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	#define SDLK_KP0 SDLK_KP_0
+	#define SDLK_KP1 SDLK_KP_1
+	#define SDLK_KP2 SDLK_KP_2
+	#define SDLK_KP3 SDLK_KP_3
+	#define SDLK_KP4 SDLK_KP_4
+	#define SDLK_KP5 SDLK_KP_5
+	#define SDLK_KP6 SDLK_KP_6
+	#define SDLK_KP7 SDLK_KP_7
+	#define SDLK_KP8 SDLK_KP_8
+	#define SDLK_KP9 SDLK_KP_9
+
+	#define SDLK_RMETA SDLK_RGUI
+	#define SDLK_LMETA SDLK_LGUI
+
+	#define SDLK_COMPOSE SDLK_APPLICATION // really?
+
+	#define SDLK_PRINT SDLK_PRINTSCREEN
+	#define SDLK_SCROLLOCK SDLK_SCROLLLOCK
+	#define SDLK_NUMLOCK SDLK_NUMLOCKCLEAR
+#endif
+
 #define MOUSE_MAX 3000
 #define MOUSE_MIN 40
 
@@ -61,9 +83,7 @@ int my;
 
 Key_Event_fp_t Key_Event_fp;
 
-extern SDL_Surface *surface;
 static in_state_t *in_state;
-static unsigned char KeyStates[SDLK_LAST];
 static qboolean mlooking;
 
 static cvar_t *sensitivity;
@@ -232,10 +252,13 @@ IN_TranslateSDLtoQ2Key(unsigned int keysym)
 			case SDLK_LALT:
 				key = K_ALT;
 				break;
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+				// TODO: delete? what is this anyway?
 			case SDLK_LSUPER:
 			case SDLK_RSUPER:
 				key = K_SUPER;
 				break;
+#endif
 			case SDLK_KP5:
 				key = K_KP_5;
 				break;
@@ -272,18 +295,24 @@ IN_TranslateSDLtoQ2Key(unsigned int keysym)
 			case SDLK_SYSREQ:
 				key = K_SYSREQ;
 				break;
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+				// TODO: delete? what is this anyway?
 			case SDLK_BREAK:
 				key = K_BREAK;
 				break;
+#endif
 			case SDLK_MENU:
 				key = K_MENU;
 				break;
 			case SDLK_POWER:
 				key = K_POWER;
 				break;
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+				// TODO: delete? what is this anyway?
 			case SDLK_EURO:
 				key = K_EURO;
 				break;
+#endif
 			case SDLK_UNDO:
 				key = K_UNDO;
 				break;
@@ -298,12 +327,13 @@ IN_TranslateSDLtoQ2Key(unsigned int keysym)
 				break;
 
 			default:
-
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+				// FIXME: how could this be used with SDL2?!
 				if ((keysym >= SDLK_WORLD_0) && (keysym <= SDLK_WORLD_95))
 				{
 					key = (keysym - SDLK_WORLD_0) + K_WORLD_0;
 				}
-
+#endif
 				break;
 		}
 	}
@@ -318,6 +348,11 @@ void
 IN_GetEvent(SDL_Event *event)
 {
 	unsigned int key;
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	SDL_Keymod modstate = SDL_GetModState();
+#else
+	SDLMod modstate = SDL_GetModState();
+#endif
 
 	switch (event->type)
 	{
@@ -352,23 +387,10 @@ IN_GetEvent(SDL_Event *event)
 		case SDL_KEYDOWN:
 
 			/* Fullscreen switch via Alt-Return */
-			if ((KeyStates[SDLK_LALT] ||
-				 KeyStates[SDLK_RALT]) &&
+			if ((modstate & KMOD_ALT) &&
 				 (event->key.keysym.sym == SDLK_RETURN))
 			{
-				SDL_WM_ToggleFullScreen(surface);
-
-				if (surface->flags & SDL_FULLSCREEN)
-				{
-					Cvar_SetValue("vid_fullscreen", 1);
-				}
-				else
-				{
-					Cvar_SetValue("vid_fullscreen", 0);
-				}
-
-				vid_fullscreen->modified = false;
-
+				GLimp_ToggleFullscreen();
 				break;
 			}
 
@@ -376,8 +398,7 @@ IN_GetEvent(SDL_Event *event)
 			   really belongs in Key_Event(), but since
 			   Key_ClearStates() can mess up the internal
 			   K_SHIFT state let's do it here instead. */
-			if ((KeyStates[SDLK_LSHIFT] ||
-				KeyStates[SDLK_RSHIFT]) &&
+			if ((modstate & KMOD_SHIFT) &&
 				(event->key.keysym.sym == SDLK_ESCAPE))
 			{
 				Cbuf_ExecuteText(EXEC_NOW, "toggleconsole");
@@ -385,8 +406,6 @@ IN_GetEvent(SDL_Event *event)
 				break;
 			}
 
-			KeyStates[event->key.keysym.sym] = 1;
-
 			/* Get the pressed key and add it to the key list */
 			key = IN_TranslateSDLtoQ2Key(event->key.keysym.sym);
 
@@ -401,20 +420,14 @@ IN_GetEvent(SDL_Event *event)
 
 		/* The user released a key */
 		case SDL_KEYUP:
+			/* Get the pressed key and remove it from the key list */
+			key = IN_TranslateSDLtoQ2Key(event->key.keysym.sym);
 
-			if (KeyStates[event->key.keysym.sym])
+			if (key)
 			{
-				KeyStates[event->key.keysym.sym] = 0;
-
-				/* Get the pressed key and remove it from the key list */
-				key = IN_TranslateSDLtoQ2Key(event->key.keysym.sym);
-
-				if (key)
-				{
-					keyq[keyq_head].key = key;
-					keyq[keyq_head].down = false;
-					keyq_head = (keyq_head + 1) & 127;
-				}
+				keyq[keyq_head].key = key;
+				keyq[keyq_head].down = false;
+				keyq_head = (keyq_head + 1) & 127;
 			}
 
 			break;
@@ -445,14 +458,15 @@ IN_Update(void)
 		IN_GetEvent(&event);
 	}
 
-	/* Mouse button processing. Button 4
-	   and 5 are the mousewheel and thus
-	   not processed here. */
+
 	if (!mx && !my)
 	{
 		SDL_GetRelativeMouseState(&mx, &my);
 	}
 
+	/* Mouse button processing. Button 4
+	   and 5 are the mousewheel and thus
+	   not processed here. */
 	mouse_buttonstate = 0;
 	bstate = SDL_GetMouseState(NULL, NULL);
 
@@ -487,7 +501,7 @@ IN_Update(void)
 			(in_grab->value == 2 && windowed_mouse->value));
 	if (have_grab != want_grab)
 	{
-		SDL_WM_GrabInput((want_grab ? SDL_GRAB_ON : SDL_GRAB_OFF));
+		GLimp_GrabInput(want_grab);
 		have_grab = want_grab;
 	}
 
@@ -572,9 +586,16 @@ IN_KeyboardInit(Key_Event_fp_t fp)
 
 	/* SDL stuff. Moved here from IN_BackendInit because
 	 * this must be done after video is initialized. */
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	// TODO: keyrepeat?
+	// TODO: only if want_grab?
+	SDL_SetRelativeMouseMode(SDL_TRUE);
+	have_grab = GLimp_InputIsGrabbed();
+#else
 	SDL_EnableUNICODE(0);
 	SDL_EnableKeyRepeat(SDL_DEFAULT_REPEAT_DELAY, SDL_DEFAULT_REPEAT_INTERVAL);
 	have_grab = (SDL_WM_GrabInput(SDL_GRAB_QUERY) == SDL_GRAB_ON);
+#endif
 }
 
 /*
diff --git a/src/backends/sdl/refresh.c b/src/backends/sdl/refresh.c
index de510fcf..85d8b3fc 100644
--- a/src/backends/sdl/refresh.c
+++ b/src/backends/sdl/refresh.c
@@ -51,7 +51,13 @@
  #include <X11/extensions/xf86vmode.h>
 #endif
 
-SDL_Surface *surface;
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+SDL_Window* window = NULL;
+SDL_GLContext context = NULL;
+#else
+SDL_Surface* window = NULL;
+#endif
+
 qboolean have_stencil = false;
 
 char *displayname = NULL;
@@ -62,6 +68,14 @@ Display *dpy;
 XF86VidModeGamma x11_oldgamma;
 #endif
 
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+// some compatibility defines
+#define SDL_SRCCOLORKEY SDL_TRUE
+#define SDL_FULLSCREEN SDL_WINDOW_FULLSCREEN
+#define SDL_OPENGL SDL_WINDOW_OPENGL
+
+#endif
+
 /*
  * Initialzes the SDL OpenGL context
  */
@@ -70,7 +84,6 @@ GLimp_Init(void)
 {
 	if (!SDL_WasInit(SDL_INIT_VIDEO))
 	{
-		char driverName[64];
 
 		if (SDL_Init(SDL_INIT_VIDEO) == -1)
 		{
@@ -78,8 +91,12 @@ GLimp_Init(void)
 					SDL_GetError());
 			return false;
 		}
-
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+		const char* driverName = SDL_GetCurrentVideoDriver();
+#else
+		char driverName[64];
 		SDL_VideoDriverName(driverName, sizeof(driverName) - 1);
+#endif
 		VID_Printf(PRINT_ALL, "SDL video driver is \"%s\".\n", driverName);
 	}
 
@@ -101,6 +118,8 @@ GLimp_GetProcAddress (const char* proc)
 static void
 SetSDLIcon()
 {
+
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
 	SDL_Surface *icon;
 	SDL_Color color;
 	Uint8 *ptr;
@@ -143,6 +162,7 @@ SetSDLIcon()
 
 	SDL_WM_SetIcon(icon, NULL);
 	SDL_FreeSurface(icon);
+#endif
 }
 
 /*
@@ -171,13 +191,80 @@ UpdateHardwareGamma(void)
 void
 UpdateHardwareGamma(void)
 {
-	float gamma;
 
-	gamma = (vid_gamma->value);
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	// FIXME: there's no more SDL_SetGamma?!
+	// see rbd3bfg R_SetColorMappings() ?
+#else
+	float gamma = (vid_gamma->value);
 	SDL_SetGamma(gamma, gamma, gamma);
+#endif
 }
 #endif
 
+static qboolean IsFullscreen()
+{
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	return !!(SDL_GetWindowFlags(window) & SDL_WINDOW_FULLSCREEN);
+#else
+	return !!(window->flags & SDL_FULLSCREEN);
+#endif
+}
+
+static qboolean CreateWindow(int flags)
+{
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	int windowPos = SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED;
+	// TODO: support fullscreen on different displays with SDL_WINDOWPOS_UNDEFINED_DISPLAY(displaynum)
+	window = SDL_CreateWindow("Yamagi Quake II", windowPos, windowPos,
+	                          vid.width, vid.height, flags);
+
+	if(window == NULL)
+	{
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	context = SDL_GL_CreateContext(window);
+	if(context == NULL)
+	{
+		SDL_DestroyWindow(window);
+		window = NULL;
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	// set vsync - TODO: -1 could be set for "late swap tearing",
+	//  i.e. only vsync if framerate is high enough
+	SDL_GL_SetSwapInterval(gl_swapinterval->value ? 1 : 0);
+
+	return true;
+#else
+	window = SDL_SetVideoMode(vid.width, vid.height, 0, flags);
+	return window != NULL;
+#endif
+}
+
+static qboolean GetWindowSize(int* w, int* h)
+{
+	if(window == NULL || w == NULL || h == NULL)
+		return false;
+
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	SDL_DisplayMode m;
+	if(SDL_GetWindowDisplayMode(window, &m) != 0)
+	{
+		VID_Printf(PRINT_ALL, "Can't get Displaymode: %s\n", SDL_GetError());
+		return false;
+	}
+	*w = m.w;
+	*h = m.h;
+#else
+	*w = window->w;
+	*h = window->h;
+#endif
+
+	return true;
+}
+
 /*
  * Initializes the OpenGL window
  */
@@ -189,30 +276,32 @@ GLimp_InitGraphics(qboolean fullscreen)
 	int stencil_bits;
 	char title[24];
 
-	if (surface && (surface->w == vid.width) && (surface->h == vid.height))
-	{
-		/* Are we running fullscreen? */
-		int isfullscreen = (surface->flags & SDL_FULLSCREEN) ? 1 : 0;
+	int width, height;
 
-		/* We should, but we don't */
-		if (fullscreen != isfullscreen)
+	if (GetWindowSize(&width, &height) && (width == vid.width) && (height == vid.height))
+	{
+		/* If we want fullscreen, but aren't */
+		if (fullscreen != IsFullscreen())
 		{
-			SDL_WM_ToggleFullScreen(surface);
+			GLimp_ToggleFullscreen();
 		}
 
-		/* Do we now? */
-		isfullscreen = (surface->flags & SDL_FULLSCREEN) ? 1 : 0;
-
-		if (fullscreen == isfullscreen)
+		/* Are we now? */
+		if (fullscreen == IsFullscreen())
 		{
 			return true;
 		}
 	}
 
 	/* Is the surface used? */
-	if (surface)
+	if (window)
 	{
-		SDL_FreeSurface(surface);
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+		SDL_GL_DeleteContext(context);
+		SDL_DestroyWindow(window);
+#else
+		SDL_FreeSurface(window);
+#endif
 	}
 
 	/* Create the window */
@@ -236,15 +325,17 @@ GLimp_InitGraphics(qboolean fullscreen)
 	/* Set the icon */
 	SetSDLIcon();
 
+#if !SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
 	/* Enable vsync */
 	if (gl_swapinterval->value)
 	{
 		SDL_GL_SetAttribute(SDL_GL_SWAP_CONTROL, 1);
 	}
+#endif
 
 	while (1)
 	{
-		if ((surface = SDL_SetVideoMode(vid.width, vid.height, 0, flags)) == NULL)
+		if (!CreateWindow(flags))
 		{
 			if (counter == 1)
 			{
@@ -310,7 +401,11 @@ GLimp_InitGraphics(qboolean fullscreen)
 
 	/* Window title */
 	snprintf(title, sizeof(title), "Yamagi Quake II %s", VERSION);
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	SDL_SetWindowTitle(window, title);
+#else
 	SDL_WM_SetCaption(title, title);
+#endif
 
 	/* No cursor */
 	SDL_ShowCursor(0);
@@ -324,7 +419,11 @@ GLimp_InitGraphics(qboolean fullscreen)
 void
 GLimp_EndFrame(void)
 {
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	SDL_GL_SwapWindow(window);
+#else
 	SDL_GL_SwapBuffers();
+#endif
 }
 
 /*
@@ -353,6 +452,57 @@ GLimp_SetMode(int *pwidth, int *pheight, int mode, qboolean fullscreen)
 	return rserr_ok;
 }
 
+/*
+ * Toggle fullscreen.
+ */
+void GLimp_ToggleFullscreen(void)
+{
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	int wantFullscreen = !IsFullscreen();
+
+	SDL_SetWindowFullscreen(window, wantFullscreen ? SDL_WINDOW_FULLSCREEN : 0);
+	Cvar_SetValue("vid_fullscreen", wantFullscreen);
+#else
+	SDL_WM_ToggleFullScreen(window);
+
+	if (IsFullscreen())
+	{
+		Cvar_SetValue("vid_fullscreen", 1);
+	}
+	else
+	{
+		Cvar_SetValue("vid_fullscreen", 0);
+	}
+#endif
+	vid_fullscreen->modified = false;
+}
+
+/*
+ * (Un)grab Input
+ */
+void GLimp_GrabInput(qboolean grab)
+{
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	SDL_SetWindowGrab(window, grab ? SDL_TRUE : SDL_FALSE);
+#else
+	SDL_WM_GrabInput(grab ? SDL_GRAB_ON : SDL_GRAB_OFF);
+#endif
+}
+
+/*
+ * returns true if input is grabbed, else false
+ */
+qboolean GLimp_InputIsGrabbed()
+{
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	return SDL_GetWindowGrab(window) ? true : false;
+#else
+	SDL_GrabMode m = SDL_WM_GrabInput(SDL_GRAB_QUERY);
+	return m == SDL_GRAB_ON;
+#endif
+}
+
+
 /*
  * Shuts the SDL render backend down
  */
@@ -371,12 +521,22 @@ GLimp_Shutdown(void)
 		GLimp_EndFrame();
 	}
 
-	if (surface)
+	if (window)
 	{
-		SDL_FreeSurface(surface);
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+		SDL_DestroyWindow(window);
+#else
+		SDL_FreeSurface(window);
+#endif
 	}
 
-	surface = NULL;
+	window = NULL;
+
+	if(context)
+	{
+		SDL_GL_DeleteContext(context);
+		context = NULL;
+	}
 
 	if (SDL_WasInit(SDL_INIT_EVERYTHING) == SDL_INIT_VIDEO)
 	{
diff --git a/src/backends/sdl/sound.c b/src/backends/sdl/sound.c
index 1d6b895f..6301c0e2 100644
--- a/src/backends/sdl/sound.c
+++ b/src/backends/sdl/sound.c
@@ -1188,7 +1188,6 @@ SDL_Callback(void *data, Uint8 *stream, int length)
 qboolean
 SDL_BackendInit(void)
 {
-	char drivername[128];
 	char reqdriver[128];
 	SDL_AudioSpec desired;
 	SDL_AudioSpec obtained;
@@ -1215,7 +1214,7 @@ SDL_BackendInit(void)
 	s_sdldriver = (Cvar_Get("s_sdldriver", "dsp", CVAR_ARCHIVE));
 #endif
 
-	snprintf(reqdriver, sizeof(drivername), "%s=%s", "SDL_AUDIODRIVER", s_sdldriver->string);
+	snprintf(reqdriver, sizeof(reqdriver), "%s=%s", "SDL_AUDIODRIVER", s_sdldriver->string);
 	putenv(reqdriver);
 
 	Com_Printf("Starting SDL audio callback.\n");
@@ -1228,11 +1227,21 @@ SDL_BackendInit(void)
 			return 0;
 		}
 	}
+#if SDL_VERSION_ATLEAST(2, 0, 0)
+	const char* drivername = SDL_GetCurrentAudioDriver();
+	if(drivername == NULL)
+	{
+		drivername = "(UNKNOWN)";
+	}
 
+#else
+	char drivername[128];
 	if (SDL_AudioDriverName(drivername, sizeof(drivername)) == NULL)
 	{
 		strcpy(drivername, "(UNKNOWN)");
 	}
+#endif
+
 
 	Com_Printf("SDL audio driver is \"%s\".\n", drivername);
 
diff --git a/src/client/refresh/header/local.h b/src/client/refresh/header/local.h
index 7c2cd38c..07efa6c0 100644
--- a/src/client/refresh/header/local.h
+++ b/src/client/refresh/header/local.h
@@ -418,4 +418,19 @@ int GLimp_SetMode(int *pwidth, int *pheight, int mode, qboolean fullscreen);
  */
 void *GLimp_GetProcAddress (const char* proc);
 
+/*
+ * Toggle fullscreen.
+ */
+void GLimp_ToggleFullscreen(void);
+
+/*
+ * (Un)grab Input
+ */
+void GLimp_GrabInput(qboolean grab);
+
+/*
+ * returns true if input is grabbed, else false
+ */
+qboolean GLimp_InputIsGrabbed();
+
 #endif