Unit 67- Computer game engines

Game Engine Research

What is a game engine?
Games demonstrate so many different attributes, whether it be realistic destruction, the ability to fell buildings. It could even be pretty lighting to make the game look better. Whatever it is, it was created using a game engine. Game engines are essentially the foundation of every game, without an engine, you can't start making your game. Game engines come in many different forms with extremely different  user interfaces, functions for physics based objects.

2D Games

-RPG Maker VXAce

RPG maker is a unique program that actually allows you to create virtually any adventure you so wish. In an RPG-like style, seen below:

You can do this using a variety of tile sets and sprites pre-created by the program, or you can design your own. It focuses on making games as easy as possible and even fun so you can create your own universe in as little time as possible while thinking up new ideas on the go. You can buy or just download new tile sets made by others to expand your world and design it the way you imagined, creating your own memorable characters and plot lines.

Many games have been created using this engine such as:

To the Moon-

To the Moon is a game created in RPG maker about a mans last dying wish. The principle is simple; technology now exists to allow people to alter a persons memories so that they can remember their own lives differently. In other words, all regrets can be removed. This process however is fatal with false memories and normal memories clashing, meaning it's only used on people when they lie on their deathbed.

The game is masterfully put together by the company "Freebird Games" and has been reviewed as "A story worth hearing" -Ars Technica. "Truly wonderful" -Rock Paper Shotgun. And "I'm making a lasagna..." -Flight of the conchords. Not sure what to think about that last one.

There are many more famous games that have been made using this engine, and there will surely be many more.

-Scratch

Scratch is a program created to allow someone to get started with making games really. It's a matter of putting the right commands in the right places to make what you want to happen, happen!  It's not a very complex program but it can create some basic games.

This would be the "mascot" of scratch. This is your first sprite. You can make him walk, talk, do a flip, whatever takes your fancy, however most of the time you'll just erase him and add in a different sprite instead. The coding works with a drag and drop type mechanic. Scratch needs no previous coding knowledge and can be learned in a matter of minutes. As with anything it takes a while to work out the more complicated game mechanics but for the most part it's quite easy to simulate a 2D character walking around a 2D environment and entering various different rooms.

3D Games

-Source Engine



-UDK

Creating a game in Unity