The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the core concepts required to program 3D game engines. This course combines a foundation in maths and physics programming for 3D games, 3D graphics and artificial intelligence for games. This course has a technical focus and gives students the opportunity to learn practical 3D games development from the ground up. This course explores analytical geometry, linear algebra, matrices, Newtonian physics and quaternions and applies these techniques to problems in game engine programming using standard API's such as DirectX and OpenGL.
The aim of this module is for students to learn the fundamentals of 3D game engine programming.
Introduction to Game Engines
• Understanding the role of game engines in modern game development• Components of a game engine• Overview of popular game engines• Basic 3D game design principles
Mathematics for Game Development
• Mathematical foundations of 3D graphics• Vector and matrix and quaternion operations for game transformations• The transform system
Physics and Simulation
• Newtonian physics and the laws of motion• Implementing physics-based interactions in a game engine• Hands-on physics simulations and game mechanics
Audio
• 3D Audio & Spatialization• Audio effects• Audio analysis
Procedural Generation
• Procedural generation techniques in game development, including terrain generation, level design, and content creation.• Meshes & terrain generation• Common procedural generation techniques: Perlin Noise, Wave Function C
eXtended Reality (XR) Development
• Creating VR & AR experiences using a game engine toolkit• Best practices in VR game design
Class time is split into a series of interactive “studio classroom” based lectures and practical problem solving in labs. In lectures, students have access to a PC, with appropriate software and development kits, so that material and examples can be examined in a live environment. In addition, students will be expected to proactively and independently seek out resources on the internet and from the library to supplement their own learning.
A Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will be employed to distribute all teaching materials and to support student interaction with both other students and academic staff. Where new material is not presented in lectures, such material will be made available through the VLE and students are expected to proactively use this resource.
| Module Content & Assessment | |
|---|---|
| Assessment Breakdown | % |
| Formal Examination | 50 |
| Other Assessment(s) | 50 |