CE812-7-SP-CO:
Physics-Based Games
2024/25
Computer Science and Electronic Engineering (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
27 June 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
MSC G61012 Computer Games,
MSC G456N4 Computing
This module covers the fundamentals of simulating physical systems and teaches how to use physics engines to simulate a wide range of physical interactions. The course also covers many examples of implementing physics-based games, and students learn to do this both by using physics engines, and by implementing physics directly for simpler examples.
The module teaches the necessary mathematics, algorithms and data structures used in modelling and building efficient simulations of physical systems. The mathematics is covered in an accessible hands-on way and supported with many illustrative examples and accompanying graphical computer simulations where appropriate.
The course aims to provide students with a solid knowledge of writing physics-based games by briefly covering the underlying physics models and mathematical equations, showing how these can be translated into code in a high-level language, or simulated using a physics-engine.
Several example physics-based games will be covered. Each week the students will create a small physics-based game, which will allow practice of the concepts taught in that week’s lecture. The course concludes with students designing and implementing a larger physics-based game.
On successful completion of the course students should be able to:
1. Write equations to model physical systems
2. Implement simulations of simple physical systems in a high-level language
3. Implement simulations of complex physical systems in 2D or 3D using an appropriate engine
4. Design and implement a physics-based game
Syllabus
A refresher on vectors and matrices as used in the course
A refresher on physics principles such as velocity, acceleration, collisions, forces, gravity, elasticity.
Modelling physical systems: the differential equations and their numerical integration: rigid bodies, connected bodies.
Writing software to directly implement simple simulations in a high-level language
Collision detection and collision reaction
Spring-Mass models, Rag-Doll Physics,
Architecture of a physics engine, 2D and 3D engines
Implementing simulations using a physics engine
Example simulations ranging from simple to complex: cart-pole systems, 2D physics games, car racing, aeroplane flight, snooker.
Game Case Studies
Physics Game Design
Physics Game Implementation
The course will be taught via lectures and extensive laboratory exercises, using Java as the main programming language, and will include the use of open-source physics simulators such as JBullet and JBox2D. Note students should either be strong programmers or have some previous Java programming experience to take this module.
2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of labs per week
Weekly Moodle Quizzes
This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Progress Test 1 In person, open book (Restricted) MCQ |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Progress Test 2 In person, open book (Restricted) MCQ |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Moodle Tasks for Lab Sessions |
|
20% |
| Coursework |
Create a Physics-Based Game, with Written Report |
22/04/2025 |
40% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Michael Fairbank, email: m.fairbank@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Michael Fairbank
School Office, email: csee-schooloffice (non-Essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create full e-mail address), Telephone 01206 872770
Yes
No
Yes
Dr MARJORY CRISTIANY Da COSTA ABREU
Sheffield Hallam University
Senior Lecturer
Available via Moodle
Of 561 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
561 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
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