game engines
Software powering games
A game engine is software that provides the core framework for building video games—handling graphics rendering, physics simulation, audio, and input so developers don't build these systems from scratch.
Major engines like Unity and Unreal power thousands of games across platforms.
The studio switched game engines mid-development, which set them back months.
Visual design elements
- shadersGraphics rendering programs
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
- ray tracingRendering via light physics
- lightingArt of illuminating spaces
real-time · frame rate · polygons · meshes · vertices · antialiasing · volumetric · photorealism
Writing executable commands
- APISoftware communication standard
- SDKProgramming tools bundle
- debuggingError removal from programs
- compilationGathered works assembled together
optimization · source code · variables · functions · classes · inheritance · blueprints · node-based
Transmitted sound content
- animationTechnique creating movement illusion
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
- save systemFeature preserving game progress
localization · inventory · dialogue · spawning · procedural generation · terrain · camera · achievements
Game creation software
- UnrealGame development middleware
- GodotPerpetually anticipated absence
- GameMakerGame development software
- SourcePoint of origin
proprietary · middleware · cross-platform · console · mobile · WebGL · PC · PlayStation
Finding when objects intersect
- gravityMutual mass attraction
- ragdollLimp cloth figure
- forceStrength or compulsion
- velocityDirected rate of motion
friction · momentum · joints · constraints · raycasting · hitbox · mass · torque
Tool for designing game environments
- prefabsFactory-produced buildings
- moddingAltering games unofficially
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
- toolchainConnected development utilities
workflow · import · export · build · deployment · profiling · documentation · plugin
graphics
Visual design elements
- shadersGraphics rendering programs
- texturesSurface feel and appearance
- ray tracingRendering via light physics
lighting · real-time · frame rate · polygons · meshes · vertices · antialiasing · volumetric · photorealism · depth of field
scripting
Writing executable commands
compilation · optimization · source code · variables · functions · classes · inheritance · blueprints · node-based · garbage collection
audio
Transmitted sound content
- animationTechnique creating movement illusion
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- multiplayerInvolving multiple participants
save system · localization · inventory · dialogue · spawning · procedural generation · terrain · camera · achievements
Unity
Game creation software
- UnrealGame development middleware
- GodotPerpetually anticipated absence
- GameMakerGame development software
Source · proprietary · middleware · cross-platform · console · mobile · WebGL · PC · PlayStation · Xbox
collision detection
Finding when objects intersect
velocity · friction · momentum · joints · constraints · raycasting · hitbox · mass · torque · impulse
level editor
Tool for designing game environments
- prefabsFactory-produced buildings
- moddingAltering games unofficially
- prototypingMaking preliminary models
toolchain · workflow · import · export · build · deployment · profiling · documentation · plugin · extension
- gamingbuff, PlayStation 4, gameplay, PlayStation 5, e-sports
- game developmentrendering, programming, pathfinding, level design, scripting
- game dev toolsUnity, Godot, GameMaker, Source, SDK
- video gamesgameplay, Fortnite, arcade, consoles, console
- computer graphicsanimations, 3D modeling, digital art, sprites, textures
- critical systemsavionics, flight control, pacemakers, life support, nuclear reactors