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Game Engines Theory

U70: PMD1 – Understand the purposes of game engines

Date due: Monday 22/04/13

From the Unit Spec – PMD1

GC Pass Merit Distinction

1

describe the purposesof game engines usingsome subject terminology Appropriately

explain the purposes of game engines with reference to detailed illustrative examples and with generally correct use of subject terminology

comprehensively explain the purposes of game engines with elucidated examples and consistently using subject terminology correctly

The two key subcategories of this GC are:

Types of game engine Purposes

Note that you must show evidence of understanding all of these categories in order to achieve the GC.

PMD1 – Understand purposes

Game engines typically fall into one of four major categories. These are:

2D, for example: Game Salad, Game Maker, Box2D

3D, for example: UE3, Unity, CryEngine, Frostbite

Mobile engines, for example: App Game Kit, Marmalade

Game mods, for example: GECK, ES Construction Set, Garry’s Mod

PMD1a - Types of game engine

Game engines also have very specific purposes. Some engines, typically more advanced ones, will fit all of these purposes; some will make use of plugins. These purposes include, but are not limited to:

Graphic rendering Collision detection AI Sound Physics

PMD1b - Purposes

Remember that you will need to comprehensively explain what these subcategories are in order to achieve Distinction grade

You need to write this up as a webzine or blog article, entitled “Game Engines and Their Purposes”

This piece of extended writing should aim to have the same written standard as that required by any other piece of theory work, but remember the specific unit requirements.

Use the unit spec as a checklist to ensure you have covered everything that you need to.

Write-Up and examples

The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction grade writing. Use them to inform your work.

Write-Up and examples

Pass Merit

“A game engine is the core component of a video game. It handles rendering which allows us to see the models in the game world. It basically puts everything in the game together so it can be viewed on screen.”

"A game engine is the core software component of a computer game. It takes care of the rendering and other functions/technologies. It may well also take on additional responsibilities such as artificial intelligence (AI) and detecting collisions between game objects. But the most common element that a game engine provides is graphics rendering facilities 2D or 3D. Engine X is a good example of a modern game engine.”

The following are examples of the differences between Pass, Merit and Distinction grade writing. Use them to inform your work.

Write-Up and examples

DistinctionA game engine is the core software component of a computer game. Many people continually confuse the game with the actual game engine itself. They are not the same thing. The game engine can be used to make a particular game, but it can also be reprogrammed to accommodate information to build a completely different game as well. A simple way of explaining it is like this: think about a car engine and the actual car itself. You can take the engine out of a car and build another car body shell around it to make a different car just by reusing the engine. A game engine can be utilised in the same way. A game engine takes care of the rendering and other functions or technologies. It may well also take on additional responsibilities such as artificial intelligence (AI) and detecting collisions between game objects. But the most common element that a game engine provides is 2D or 3D graphics rendering facilities. Engine X is a good example of a modern game engine.’