DJC2 - Day 9 - Creating Video Games
What Is a Game Engine?
The tool that turns ideas into real video games, integrating art, code, physics, and sound into a single system.
A game engine is a software platform designed to facilitate video game creation. It provides a complete set of tools that allow developers to create mechanics, render graphics, manage physics, play audio, handle animations, and build interactive worlds without having to program everything from scratch.
In other words, it’s the technological foundation that makes a video game work. Thanks to modern engines, small teams can create complex experiences, while large studios can optimize processes and speed up production.
What Does a Game Engine Include?
Game engines integrate multiple fundamental systems that allow the development of a complete video game:
1. Graphics Rendering
Enables displaying images on the screen, whether 2D or 3D. The engine handles lighting, shadows, materials, textures, cameras, and all the processes needed to generate each frame.
2. Physics System
Simulates gravity, collisions, movement, forces, and either realistic or arcade-style behavior. Many engines allow you to choose between advanced or simplified physics depending on the type of game.
3. Audio Engine
Manages music, sound effects, real-time mixing, spatialization, and dynamic audio behavior based on player actions.
4. Animation
Controls character animations, transitions between movements, interpolations, and 3D skeleton systems.
5. Scripting and Programming
Provides integrated or compatible languages to create game logic: interactions, AI, rules, progression, inventories, abilities, and everything that defines the player experience.
6. Visual Editing Tools
Includes level editors, particle systems, GUI editors, visual nodes, and tools that allow artists and designers to work without coding.
7. Multi-Platform Export
Allows compiling the game for PC, consoles, mobile, or web without rebuilding the project.
Popular Game Engine Examples
- Unity: ideal for 2D and 3D, widely used by indie studios and large companies.
- Unreal Engine: advanced engine, specialized in high-quality 3D graphics.
- Godot: free and open-source engine with a very fast workflow.
- GameMaker Studio: perfect for 2D games and indie projects.
Why Use a Game Engine?
A game engine allows you to create video games faster, with fewer errors, and with optimized tools. Its goal is to let developers focus on creativity, design, and the player experience instead of solving technical problems from scratch.
Thanks to these engines, the industry has evolved toward more agile, collaborative, and accessible development cycles, opening the door for any creator—from beginners to large studios—to build complete and professional games.
Versions
v0.1.0
- What Is a Game Engine?