Advanced Game Programming

Award: Futureworks Diploma
Duration: 1 year, part-time
Learning Format: Instructor-led lectures/workshops & guided practical sessions
Start Date: September 2010
Fees: £2100 or 10 monthly payments of £230

• For more information call Ben on +44 (0)161 237 7574.

---

Overview

Building on the skills learned on the Foundation in Game Programming course, you will learn some of the more advanced techniques used by real game developers; Game engine design, procedural animation, real-time physics modelling, dynamic lighting and even artificial intelligence! You’ll also study the fundamental maths used in modern game engine development and build exciting 3D games that look and feel like commercial projects.

The Advanced Game Programming course includes the following modules:

Graphics Programming with DirectX 9 - Module II

In this module you will explore more advanced 3D graphics programming concepts and study key topics in game engine architecture. You will examine mesh optimization and hierarchical animation techniques, the use of level of detail (LOD) algorithms to improve application performance, skeletal animation systems for realistic character and tree animation, collision detection and response, spatial partitioning data structures for fast rendering and intersection testing, and much more.

Artificial Intelligence for Game Developers

Although the field of artificial intelligence is vast, there are some fundamental techniques and data structures that are used time and again in almost every game application that incorporates AI. This module focuses on the most important data structures and algorithms that you as a game developer will need to understand if you wish to include intelligent Non-Player Characters (NPCs) in your games. As you progress through the course, you will develop your own extendable AI class library. This library will serve as the foundation for incorporating sophisticated artificial intelligence into your current and future game development projects.

Game Mathematics

This module focuses on the fundamental mathematics used in modern game engine development and combines key elements from the fields of geometry, trigonometry, and linear algebra to give you insight into the mathematics used by all game developers when making realistic computer games. This course is very theory focused and it is highly recommended that you have completed our Foundation in Game Programming course before attempting this module, since the graphics programming course includes a more rapid, code-focused practical examination of basic game maths.

Physics for Game Developers

By applying the laws of physics, you can realistically model almost everything in a computer game that bounces around, flies, rolls, slides, or isn't sitting still. This allows you to create compelling, believable content for your games, simulations, and animations and enrich your games with physics-based realism. Topics will range from basic Newtonian physics to vehicle modelling to spring-mass systems.

---

Other Games Courses:

Degree Courses

BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology

BA (Hons) Games Design

Foundation Courses

Foundation in Game Programming

Foundation in Game Art