| Recent games are all about how intricate they are, | | | | with the player in such a way that mimics how the |
| how good the story is and how well the graphics | | | | real element would react under such conditions. |
| performs with the things the player wants to do in | | | | Environment reflections have been added as well to |
| such virtual environment, having these factors in mind | | | | simulate the properties of water. |
| the folks at Epic games developed a new gaming | | | | Soft Body Physics: |
| technology which is called the Unreal engine 3, this | | | | This is a simulation tool which allows programmers to |
| new technology is used to create highly responsive | | | | simulate soft bodies and objects which are realistically |
| gaming environments which enhances the graphics | | | | elastic and fluidly, this is also useful for materials |
| and the way objects interact with the player. | | | | which are fluid and have a certain degree of |
| This technology was used in the game Gears of | | | | viscosity; this property can be applied to games |
| War, some of the features found in the Unreal | | | | where alien creatures are found. |
| engine are: | | | | Destructible Environments: |
| Ambient Occlusion Technology: | | | | After a few years of beautiful and careful design, |
| This is a post processing filter which enables game | | | | the first thing players want to do with a game's |
| programmers and designers to add much more | | | | environment is to blow it up, using such technology |
| realistic and dynamic shadows to scenes using a pixel | | | | gamers will be able to do just that and see a more |
| technique which creates much more realistic shadow | | | | realistic reaction to the way things are destroyed, |
| highlights, this pixel technique scans images and | | | | structural analysis was applied to games in order to |
| analyzes how light reflects around and adjusts | | | | simulate how objects would break apart under stress |
| shadows making objects stand out from the | | | | and conditions the player creates, with this feature |
| background. This technique has also been used in | | | | gamers can blow holes in the walls or in the floor |
| several characters which makes them more appealing | | | | however the steel structure remains intact as it |
| to the eye and provides better definition, the | | | | would on a real environment. |
| contrast is better which increases the quality if the | | | | Overall this technology has a lot of potential and can |
| details. | | | | literally change how games are made, in the mean |
| Dynamic Fluid Surfaces: | | | | time enjoy the beautiful worlds of games such as |
| This is yet another major improvement where liquids | | | | Build-a-lot, Machines at War, Gears of War, etc. |
| such as water are programmed to move and interact | | | | because they will soon change. |