Common questions about math, programming, and game design asked by our readers:
Examples of game programming courses include Introduction to Programming, Python for Programmers, Optimized C++, Advanced Programming, Game Programming, Modern Graphics Programming, Console Programming, Networking for Online Games, Game Architecture, Game Production, Discrete Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence for Games, Physics, Calculus, 3D Math, and Game Physics.
While math is used in all areas of game design, game programming majors will take a significantly higher number of math courses than game design majors will to complete their degree. However, core curriculums for game design students often include math courses such Calculus, Statistics, Linear Algebra, Business Mathematics, and many others.
According to Gamedesigning.org, mathematics are the foundation of every game and necessary for everything to work as the designers intend. n the same way that math doesn’t work unless you learn and apply the rules, a video game can’t have rules without math. When you think about it, video games are essentially virtual worlds with lots of rules that keep everything working as intended. No math means Mario keeps floating up after jumping, bullets in Call of Duty shoot in random directions, and even your favorite character in Angry Birds moves in inconsistent ways, if it moves at all. Common branches of math utilized in game design and development include Algebra, Trigonometry, Calculus, Linear Algebra, Discrete Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and more.