And Action! An Examination of Physics in Video Games

[Julio Franco]

Video game physics are something that we often take for granted. Programming physics into a game can be as simple as one or two routines, or as complex as requiring a separate physics engine to handle the computations. In this article we'll delve into the specifics of rigid body and soft body physics in games.

Read the full article here.

https://www.techspot.com/article/1960-video-game-physics/

 

[neeyik]

The best physics is the stuff you don't notice but make the game really special...or that which produces epic bugs

 

[Arbie]

Superb article - thank you!

 

[theruck]

This is the best article on techspot ever! thank you for that Cal.

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Great article. I really love Techspot's tech stories, always very informative.

 

[BigRedPDX]

I thought that sniper mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was fairly simple. It even tells you how many notches you have to move up so the bullet will make the target. You have to adjust left or right to the wind. The suicide truck was kind of annoying though. That took me a few tries.

 

[koblongata]

Polygons intersecting with other is such a realism breaker that seems to stuck with us since the beginning of polygon based 3D games...

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

I thought that sniper mission in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was fairly simple. It even tells you how many notches you have to move up so the bullet will make the target. You have to adjust left or right to the wind. The suicide truck was kind of annoying though. That took me a few tries.

Yep. I'm a noob.

 

[Tantor]

Very good article. This is precisely why I keep coming back to Techspot.

Here's a related idea. Could you guys do a review of the physics of computer melee combat systems?

1) Location targeting is a very compelling feature. But most games do not do a very good job. Skyrim and Minecraft combat amounts to just waving a sword. Dying Light is much better, but still not good.

2) Large body impact is also neglected. For example, a dragon should easily overwhelm any smaller opponent using sheer size. Instead, they just stand there trading blow for blow.

 

[Hurting2Ride]

2) Large body impact is also neglected. For example, a dragon should easily overwhelm any smaller opponent using sheer size. Instead, they just stand there trading blow for blow.

Expecting realistic physics out of imaginary magical beings fighting other imaginary magical beings always amuses me, especially since in almost every instance "magic" equates to "breaks the laws of physics as we know them". To the author's point, "real" physics will always be compromised to "realistic" physics due to computing power & playability...or else the game won't be around long.