Game Programming Gems

From animation and artificial intelligence to Z-buffering, lighting calculations, weather effects, curved surfaces, mutliple layer Internet gaming, to music and sound effects, all of the major techniques needed to develop a competitive game engine are covered. Game Programming Gems is written in a style accessible to individuals with a range of expertise levels. All of the source code for each algorithm is included and can be used by advanced programmers immediately. For aspiring programmers, there is a detailed tutorial to work through before attempting the code, and suggestions for possible modifications and optimizations are included as well.

Features

• A must-have for every game programmers? library!
• Written by game programming experts and edited by Nintendo?s Mark DeLoura
• Comprehensive coverage of all major techniques used in game development
• CD-ROM is packed with the source code in C & C++, completely portable to Windows and Linux, and all graphics displays use the popular Open GL language

Contents

• 1.0 The Magic of Data-Driven Design
• 1.1 Object-Oriented Programming and Design Techniques
• 1.2 Fast Math Using Template Metaprogramming
• 1.3 An Automatic Singleton Utility
• 1.4 Using the STL in Game Programming
• 1.5 A Generic Function-Binding Interface
• 1.6 A Generic Handle-Based Resource Manager
• 1.7 Resource and Memory Management
• 1.8 Fast Data Load Trick
• 1.9 Frame-Based Memory Allocation
• 1.10 Simple, Fast Bit Arrays
• 1.11 A Network Protocol for Online Games
• 1.12 Squeezing More Out of Assert
• 1.13 Stats: Real-Time Statistics and In-Game Debugging
• 1.14 Real-Time In-Game Profiling

Section 2 Mathematics

• 2.0 Predictable Random Numbers
• 2.1 Interpolation Methods
• 2.2 Integrating the Equations of Rigid Body Motion
• 2.3 Polynomial Approximations to Trigonometric Functions
• 2.4 Using Implicit Euler Integration for Numerical Stability
• 2.5 Wavelets: Theory and Compression
• 2.6 Interactive Simulation of Water Surfaces
• 2.7 Quaternions for Game Programming
• 2.8 Matrix-Quaternion Conversions
• 2.9 Interpolating Quaternions
• 2.10 The Shortest Arc Quaternion

Section 3 Artificial Intelligence

• 3.0 Designing a General Robust AI Engine
• 3.1 A Finite-State Machine Class
• 3.2 Game Trees
• 3.3 The Basics of A* for Path Planning
• 3.4 A* Aesthetic Optimizations
• 3.5 A* Speed Optimizations
• 3.6 Simplified 3D Movement and Pathfinding Using Navigation Meshes
• 3.7 Flocking: A Simple Technique for Simulating Group Behavior
• 3.8 Fuzzy Logic for Video Games
• 3.9 A Neural-Net Primer

Section 4 Polygonol Techniques

• 4.0 Optimizing Vertex Submissions for OpenGL
• 4.1 Tweaking A Vertex’s Projected Depth Value
• 4.2 The Vector Camera
• 4.3 Camera Control Techniques
• 4.4 A Fast Cylinder-Frustum Intersection Test
• 4.5 3D Collision Detection
• 4.6 Multi-Resolution Maps for Interaction Detection
• 4.7 Computing the Distance into a Sector
• 4.8 Object Occlusion Culling
• 4.9 Never Let ‘Em See You Pop – Issues in Geometric Level of Detail Selection
• 4.10 Octree Construction
• 4.11 Loose Octrees
• 4.12 View-Independent Progressive Meshing
• 4.13 Interpolated 3D Keyframe Animation
• 4.14 A Fast and Simple Skinning Techniques
• 4.15 Filling the Gaps – Advanced Animation Using Stitching and Skinning
• 4.16 Real-Time Realistic Terrain Generation
• 4.17 Fractal Terrain Generation – Fault Formation
• 4.18 Fractal Terrain Generation – Midpoint Displacement
• 4.19 Fractal Terrain Generation – Particle Deposition

Section 5 Pixel Effects

• 5.0 2D Lens Flare
• 5.1 Using 3D Hardware for 2D Sprite Effects
• 5.2 Motif-Based Static Lighting
• 5.3 Simulated Real-Time Lighting Using Vertex Color Interpolation
• 5.4 Attenuation Maps
• 5.5 Advanced Texturing Using Texture Coordinate Generation
• 5.6 Hardware Bump Mapping
• 5.7 Ground-Plane Shadows
• 5.8 Real-Time Shadows on Complex Objects
• 5.9 Improving Environment-Mapped Reflection Using Glossy Prefiltering and the Fresnel Term
• 5.10 Convincing-Looking Glass for Games
• 5.11 Refraction Mapping for Liquids in Containers

Section 6 Appendix

• 6.0 The Matrix Utility Library
• 6.1 The Text Utility Library
• 6.2 About the CD-ROM

INDEX