Interactive Physical Modelling
This module is core for students on the second year of the Computer Games Technology degree.
This module introduces students to some of the physics commonly found in digital games and simulations, and their implementation. Students learn about mechanics – the physics governing moving and colliding objects – and useful mathematical and software development techniques for creating physical simulations which run in real-time.
The basis of this module is classical mechanics, though studied here specifically from the point of view of applications in simulation. Newton’s Laws, gravity, projectile motion, momentum, friction and collisions all regularly appear in games and students learn the basic equations involved, for use in their practical work.
Students learn about the use of vectors and are introduced to numerical issues (accuracy and stability in integration) in simulation. Algorithms for accurate collision detection are studied in detail, and error handling techniques reviewed.
Students also develop an interactive demo, a simple physically modelled game, based on snooker or similar, allowing them to put the theoretical elements of this course into practice.
Final Marks:
Overall - 70%
Grade - A
Pass
Final Marks:
Overall - 70%
Grade - A
Pass
