Programming For Games

Description

Introduction to the techniques for developing games and real-time graphics applications with a modern API.

Aims

The aim of this module is to provide the student with: the ability to design, develop and critically games and interactive 3D graphics applications.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module the student should be able to:

1.  Use and critically evaluate appropriate software developments tools to create a 3D computer game/graphics applications.

2.  Analyse computer game rendering and simulation problems in order to make efficient use of API functions.

3.  Design, implement and critically evaluate a 3D application which uses the programmable pipeline demonstrating efficient use of API features.

Indicative Content

1 Application Development:

The game loop, C++ and Windows programming model within a graphics application framework.

2 Graphics Concepts:

Review and evaluation of game engines, graphics API’s coordinate systems and the programmable pipeline.

3 Buffers

Overview of buffers and resources within the context of the programmable pipeline.

4 Lighting

Overview of lighting and shading methods within real-time computer graphics.

5 Texturing

Overview and evaluation of texturing techniques within the context of the programmable pipeline.

6 Header 6

Overview and evaluation of models, model formats and processes needed to load 3D assets into module framework.

7 Render to texture

Overview and evaluation of Render to texture as an indispensable component of the programmable pipeline for advanced graphics techniques.

8 Tesselator and Geometry Shader

Dedicated programmable pipeline stages, an evaluation of their uses and implementation.

Teaching and Learning Work Loads