A survey of computer game development

Abstract

A computer game is special software to run on a computer for enjoyment and education. A computer game interacts with a user interface and generates audio-visual feedback. In this article computer games and the relevant processes and methodologies for their development were surveyed. Basically a computer game consists of design elements and technical components. The players, stories, rules, objectives, procedures, conflicts and challenges are the design elements of a computer game. They all have conflicts and challenges and have effects over gameplay. In addition to design elements, there are technical components that may be grouped into four as ‘the render engine and rendering pipeline’, ‘physics engine and physics-related techniques’, ‘game codes’ and ‘artwork contents’. Fixed-function pipeline and flexible pipeline are the render engine and rendering pipeline. Physics engine and physics-related techniques are collision detection, ray casting, etc. Game codes are for game mechanics, artificial intelligence, scenario creation and management. Artwork contents have game level, three-dimensional models, two-dimensional maps for shaders, skeletal animation and audio assets. The major objective of the study to be reported in this article was to apply all these methodologies, techniques and tools on a case problem after studying design elements and technical components.