Computer Graphics for Digital Games    

2024/2025, Spring Semester, Spring
14475 - Mestrado em Engenharia Informática
13838 - Mestrado em Design e Desenvolvimento de Jogos Digitais





Professor Abel J.P. Gomes
Department of Computer Science, University of Beira Interior
Rua Marquês de Ávila e Bolama, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal
Office: gab 3.26
Office hours: Wednesday & Friday 14:30-15:30 (mandatory advance notice via email)
E-mail: ajpgomes(at)ubi.pt  or  mosqueteer(at)gmail.com
Pixabay picture free of charge on the right-hand side
Goals and Objectives

The general objectives of the course are:
  • To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of computer science through the medium of video games.
  • To enable students with skills in the innovation, design and development of game engines, including their data structures and algorithms.
  • To prepare students for the research at MSc and PhD levels.
Regarding learning objectives, at the end of course the student must be able at least:
  • To use a game engine to build a game.
  • To be able to build up a geometric kernel for modelling 3D scenes (including terrain modelling) based on a geometric data structure with topological connectivity (e.g., “winged-edge data structure”).
  • To be able to develop and implement a point search algorithm (e.g., “nearest neighbor search” or “range queries”) based on an accelerated geometric data structure (e.g., Kd-tree).
  • To be able to develop and implement a collision detection algorithm for objects moving in a 3D scene (e.g., Gilbert-Johnson-Keerthi algorithm).
  • To be able to develop and implement a pathfinding algorithm in 3D scenes (e.g., A* algorithm).
  • To conduct a critical analysis of an algorithm related to gaming technology. Then, outline an innovative algorithm or hypotheses that could lead to advancements in gaming technology.
Theoreticals      Practicals Suppl. Game Spots



















Bibliography

  1. D. Eberly. 3D Game Engine Architecture. Morgan Kaufmann Publishers, 2005.
  2. J. Gregory, J. Lander, and M. Whiting. Game Engine Architecture, 2nd ed. AK Peters / CRC Press, 2014.
  3. M. McShaffry and D. Graham. Game Coding Complete, 4th ed. Cengage Learning PTR, 2012.
  4. A. Watt and F. Policarpo. 3D Games: Real-time Rendering and Software Technology (vol.1). Addison-Wesley Publ. Company, 2000.
  5. A. Watt and F. Policarpo. 3D Games: Animation and Advanced Real-time Rendering (vol.2). Addison-Wesley Publ. Company, 2003.
  6. Tomas Akenine-Moeller, Eric Haines, and Natty Hoffman. Real-Time Rendering (3rd. ed.). AK Peters, 2008.
  7. D. Eberly. Game Physics. CRC Press, 2010.
  8. Gabor Szauer. Game Physics Cookbook. Packt Publishing, 2017.
  9. Christer Erikson. Real-time Collision Detection. The Morgan Kaufmann Series in Interactive 3-D Technology, CRC Press, 2004.
  10. Ian Millington and John Funge. Artificial Intelligence for Games. CRC Press, 2009.
  11. Mat Buckland. Programming Game AI by Example. Wordware Publishing Inc., 2004.
  12. J. Glazer and S. Mahdav. Multiplayer Game Programming: Architecting Network Games. Addison-Wesley Professional, 2015.
  13. John Horton. Beginning C++ Game Programming. Packt Publishing;, 2019.
  14. Scott Tykoski. Mastering Game Design with Unity 2021. BPB Publications, 2022.
  15. Penny de Byl. Mathematics for Game Programming and Computer Graphics. Packt Publishing, 2022.
  16. Chris Bradfield. Godot 4 Game Development Projects. Packt Publishing, 2023.
  17. Jean-Luc Sinclair. Principles of Game Audio and Sound Design. Focal Press, 2020.
  18. Stuart Butler, Tom Oliver, Christopher J. Headleand. Game Development Patterns with Unreal Engine 5. Packt Publishing, 2024.
  19. Franc Pouhela. 3D Game Engine Development. Independently published, 2024.
Small Projects Group Project Learning Unreal Engine 5
  • SP01 : Terrain Generation Algorithm
  • SP02 : To be defined!






  • GP1 : Transvoxel Algorithm.
  • GPn : To be defined!.












Assessment

General Assessment Rules:
  • Assessment will take place throughout the semester.
  • 2 written tests/examinations (2.0 marks each): 2 x 2.0 marks = 4.0 marks.
  • 6 individual assignments (1.0 marks each): 6 x 1.0 marks = 6.0 marks.
  • Group project (2 students maximum per group): 10.0 marks.
  • Group project has two options: (1) to design and code and algorithm existing in the literature; (2) design and code a game prototype in Unreal Engine 5.
Deadlines:
  • 1st written test/examination: April 22 (in-class);
  • 2nd written test/examination: May 21, (in-class);
  • Final group project: June 3, 23:59.
Projects' Assessment:
  • The project is a group project, but the assessment is individual.
  • The defense of the project takes place in the first class after the corresponding submission deadline above.
  • A project submitted beyond the deadline will not be accepted.
  • Each project requires a report written in Latex; see, for example, this template.
  • The code of each project must be available in github.
  • Each report must include the tasks (and their authorship) completed by each student.
  • Each project requires a in-person presentation (together with a pptx file) with the presence of all students on the project team.
Exam Admission:
  • Exam admission: 4.0 marks minimum during the semester.
  • The exam will consist of 1 or 2 written tests/examinations. Assignments and group project cannot be presented and examined in exam.

Last update: Mar 11, 2025.