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