PRINCIPLES OF IT

ITBP 103

UNIT 6
SIMULATION AND GAMING
Simulation helps people understand complex systems. The widespread
popularity of Computer Entertainment has shown the extent to which
simulation games have spread throughout all cultures.

Spring 2021 CIT, UAE University

2 Unit Objectives

 In this chapter you will:

 Understand immersive environments
 Explore game design approaches
 Understand core game design concepts
 Explain game genre, art and programming
 Understand game industry and community

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3 Unit Contents

1. Simulation
 Definition
 Application
2. Game Design
 Core Concepts
 Art works and Programming
3. Game Genre
 2D
 3D
4. Game Industry
 Trends
 Community
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4 Simulation

 Simulation is the process of designing a model of a

real system for conducting experiments with this
model to either understand the behavior of the
system and/or evaluating various strategies for
operating the system, or rendering an immersive
version of the system.

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5 What Can Be Simulated?

 COMPUTER SYSTEMS: hardware components, software

systems, networks, data base management, information
processing, etc.
 MANUFACTURING: material handling systems,
assembly lines, inventory control systems, plant layout, etc.
 BUSINESS: stock and commodity analysis, pricing
policies, marketing strategies, cash flow analysis,
forecasting, etc.
 GOVERNMENT: military weapons and their use, military
tactics, population forecasting, land use, health care delivery,
fire protection, criminal justice, traffic control, etc.
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6 Simulation Application To Disneylan

• Cruise Line Operation: Simulate the arrival and

check-in process at the dock. Discovered the
process they had in mind would cause hours
in delays before getting on the ship.

• Private Island Arrival: How to transport

passengers
to the beach area? Drop-off point far from the beach.
Used simulation to determine whether to invest in
trams, how many trams to purchase, average
transport and waiting times, etc..
7 Simulation Application To Disneylan

• Bus Maintenance Facility: Investigated “best” way

of scheduling preventative maintenance trips.

• Alien Encounter Attraction: Visitors move through

three areas. Encountered major variability
when ride opened due to load and unload
times (therefore, visitors waiting long periods
before getting on the ride). Used simulation
to determine the length of the individual shows
so as to avoid bottlenecks.
8 Simulation Application

Exercises
 Provide a simulation scenario of a prospective system
or behavior to predict specific measurements.
9 Advantages of Simulation

Simulation’s greatest strength is

its ability to answer
“what if” questions...
10 Advantages of Simulation

 Can be used to study existing systems without

disrupting the ongoing operations.
 Proposed systems can be “tested” before
committing resources.
 Allows us to control time.
 Allows us to identify bottlenecks.
 Allows us to gain insight into which variables are
most important to system performance.
11 Disadvantages of Simulation

 Model building is an art as well as a science. The

quality of the analysis depends on the quality of the
model and the skill of the modeler
(Remember: GIGO)
 Simulation results are sometimes hard to interpret.
 Simulation analysis can be time consuming and
expensive.
 Should not be used when an analytical method
would provide for quicker results.
12 Simulation Creates Immersion

Defense Storytelling

Education Games
13 Video Game

What is the difference between these?

A Software A Game A Movie

14 Video Game

 Interactivity makes a game different from a movie

and other art material

 The content of the game is different from software

 Game is more fun !

15 Game Dimensions

Art Business

Game

Technology
16 Game Components

Games are complicated

Characters
Script

Voice Over
Story

Game Engine
GUI
Gameplay Community

Shaders SFX Performance

17 Simulation Application

Exercises
 Choose three game components, and Google their
definition and induced complexity in game
development.
18 Game Structure

Games have a different structure than any software

Startup Introductory movie Front End

Game Options
Sound Options
Video Options

End Game Main Game Loading Screen

Movie Introduction
Credits Gameplay
Shutdown Game Modes
Pause Options
19 Game Loop

Initialize

Process Update Render

Shutdown
20 Game Loop

Process controller input: checks for player

Process input.. For example, if player hits spacebar,
then make the character jump

Update Update entities: this is where the game

reacts to the changes made by the player

Render Update graphics: draw the background

21 Game Business
22 Game Market
23 Game Market
24 Game Market
25 Game Development Map
26 Game Development Process
27 Game Development Process
28 Game Categories
29 Game Categories

Exercises
 Name three existing games in each game category.
30 Game Design Considerations

 Playing a Game is About Making Decisions

 Ex: what weapon to use, what resource to build
 Can be frustrating if decision does not matter
 Playing a Game is About Control
 Player wants to impact outcome
 Uncontrolled sequences can still happen, but should be sparing and
make logical
 Ex: Riven uses train system between worlds
 A Game Needs a Goal
 Ex: Defeat Ganandorf in Zelda
 Long games may have sub-goals
 Ex: recover Triforce first, then Sword of Power
31 Game Design Considerations

 The Content and Rules of the game

 You describe what the game will look and act like

 Game designs requires experience and knowledge

32 Game Genre
33 Game Genre
34 Game Design Considerations

 3D animation tools
 Discrete 3dsMax
 Maya
 Softimage XSI
 2D tools
 Photoshop
 Illustrator
 Motion tools
 Motion capture devices
 Motion Builder
 FiLMBOX
35 Scratch

Exercises
 Navigate to scratch.mit.edu and develop your own
game.