How is math involved in video game designing?

Answer 1

Making video games requires several key skills, all of which require some knowledge of math. Occupations in the video game field are divided into several professions. One of these skills or professions is a game programmer/programming. The following is an example of the Programming Language used in Microsoft.XNA.*:

double angle = MathHelper.TwoPi / points;

pointList = new VertexPositionNormalTexture[points + 1];

pointList[0] = new VertexPositionNormalTexture(

Vector3.Zero, Vector3.Forward, Vector2.One);

for (int i = 1; i <= points; i++)

{

pointList[i] = new VertexPositionNormalTexture(

new Vector3(

(float)Math.Round(Math.Sin(angle * i), 4),

(float)Math.Round(Math.Cos(angle * i), 4),

0.0f),

Vector3.Forward,

This function is used in Microsofts XNA dev kit to render a 3d primitive in 3d space. You will see subsets and templating here but it is very HELPFUL to know what these functions do.

So with Math.Round obviously rounds, Math.Sin and Math.Cos are Trig./Geometry functions that times the angle of a triangle with the integer length of a side between angles, which will give you 3d coordinates so the computer/console knows where and how to render the object relative to the rendering window(what appears on screen/FOV).

If you want to make games it is true that you do not need to be a rocket scientist or an English major, however, knowing math and having a strong ability with it is pretty much necessary.

I recommend:

Physics (Whats a game with no real life laws?)

Linear Algebra

Algebra 1 & 2 (minimum)

Geometry

With the above skills in hand you could build your own game engine. Now if you are going to buy middleware to handle all math functions you would more and likely be able to make it with Alg. 1 and 2.

Talk with your advisor as they will know more just never accept an answer that says you don't need to know math to develop games or any software as these are false in an industry that is BOUND by math.

Oh and further, take a look at RAYCASTING and you will clearly see why understanding math is important.

Anything in italics is for clarification or edited by Leartes. All other material is by original author.

Answer 2

You will see math while making a game but, not really while playing it. By the way to the guy below me I do think it is better to do raw coding then buttons because you get more experience and it's more fun, to see how every code you type becomes something.

Answer

Everywhere. Your score requires a formula to add, x and y axis to locate your character and z axis in 3-d games. On pressure sensitive games the depth of the button into the controller is multiplied by some number to equal speed. I suggest you go to www.gamemaker.nl and download Game Maker by Mark Overmars and try to make your own, it becomes very obvious very fast once you get into raw coding (which is sadly easier sometimes than using pre-made buttons).

Answer 3

Programming languages, the bones of all Video Games, is basically a bunch of mathematical equations that tell the game what to do when you press start, or the trajectory of a bullet, et cetera. There are many types of programming and some require more than some forms of programmming, such as a Graphics Engineer Programmer or a Game Engine Programmer.

Answer 4

Quite a alot of math is needed to be a video game disgner because you need to know angles.

Answer 5

It relates by,they have to know MATH before they program the game,or else it might screw up.....

Answer 6

It is use like on Call of Duty it says surrond the area and primiter and bow and arrows have degrees

Answer 7

figuring out the dimensions of a map,shape,or anything that needs to be measured to make sure it is the correct size it needs to be.

Answer 8

because they are both not very good