How I built my first game engine

Author: Clara Whitmore
Bio: Clara Whitmore is an acclaimed author known for her poignant explorations of human connection and resilience. With a degree in Literature from the University of California, Berkeley, Clara’s writing weaves rich narratives that resonate with readers across diverse backgrounds. Her debut novel, “Echoes of the Past,” received critical acclaim and was a finalist for the National Book Award. When she isn’t writing, Clara enjoys hiking in the Sierra Nevada and hosting book clubs in her charming hometown of Ashland, Oregon. Her latest work, “Threads of Tomorrow,” is set to release in 2024.

Understanding game engines

Game engines are the backbone of video game development, providing the necessary tools and frameworks to create interactive experiences. Reflecting on my early days, I remember the moment I realized that a game engine is much more than just a bunch of codes; it’s an environment where creativity meets technical prowess. Doesn’t it feel exhilarating to think about creating entire worlds, just waiting to be explored?

When I first delved into game engines, I was overwhelmed by the vast array of features they offer, from rendering graphics to physics simulations. I often found myself questioning how all these elements fit together to form a cohesive game experience. It was a bit like piecing together a puzzle where each piece is crucial for the final picture.

One of the most enlightening aspects for me was understanding how game engines streamline collaboration. I learned how different disciplines—art, programming, and design—can come together in one platform. Have you ever had a great idea only to feel stuck because it seemed too complicated to express? With a game engine, I discovered that many of those ideas could materialize into something tangible, making the development process not just simpler, but also incredibly rewarding.

Importance of personal projects

Personal projects are essential for growth in programming, offering a unique space to experiment and apply what you’ve learned in a practical setting. I vividly recall the thrill of tinkering with my code, trying new libraries and frameworks. Each small success or failure felt like a crucial lesson, shaping my skills in ways that formal education never quite captured.

Working on my first game engine not only solidified my technical knowledge, but it also taught me invaluable lessons about persistence. I remember nights spent wrestling with bugs that seemed insurmountable. Those moments, though frustrating, became my defining learning experiences, highlighting the importance of perseverance in overcoming challenges.

Moreover, personal projects foster creativity and self-expression, allowing you to explore ideas that might not fit into typical coursework or professional settings. Have you ever had a concept that seemed too wild or unconventional to share? With my game engine, I could explore those wild ideas freely, giving life to them in unexpected and rewarding ways. This freedom is what makes personal projects so vital—they are a playground for your imagination and skill development.

Planning my game engine

Planning my game engine was a thrilling yet daunting task. I remember sketching out my ideas on paper, feeling the excitement as I mapped out the core features I wanted to implement. It was a bit like being an architect, visualizing the structure and foundations before bringing it to life. Have you ever felt that rush when your ideas start coming together on the page?

I took the time to set clear goals for what I wanted my engine to accomplish. For instance, I aimed to create a system that was user-friendly and flexible enough to support various types of games. This clarity helped me focus on the specifics, such as developing a simple yet powerful rendering system that would serve as the backbone of my engine. Each decision I made was a building block toward a cohesive whole, prompting me to ask, “What do I really want players to experience?”

I also made sure to gather resources that could guide me along the way, reading articles and listening to podcasts about game development. Diving into this research, I felt a mix of anticipation and apprehension. Would my ideas hold up? Each resource I discovered not only fueled my curiosity but also reinforced my belief that I was on the right path. It was a journey of discovery that underscored the importance of thorough planning in game development.

Tools I used for development

When it came to choosing tools for developing my game engine, I relied heavily on open-source libraries. For instance, I used SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) for handling graphics and input. It was a game changer for me—the way SDL managed various components made it feel like I had a personal assistant guiding me through the complexities of game development. Have you ever felt that click when you find just the right tool?

Alongside SDL, I incorporated Lua as my scripting language. The integration was seamless, allowing me to create flexible game logic without bogging down the main engine. I remember the satisfaction I felt during testing sessions, watching how quickly I could iterate on game mechanics by modifying Lua scripts. It really empowered me to experiment more freely.

I also leveraged Git for version control, which became an invaluable tool in my workflow. Initially, I underestimated its importance, but I quickly learned that committing changes regularly saved me from losing hours of work. That sense of security—knowing I could always revert to a previous state—made my development process much more enjoyable. Isn’t it funny how the right tools can transform your experience from stressful to enjoyable?

Challenges I faced during development

One of the biggest challenges I faced was dealing with performance issues. At first, I didn’t fully grasp how resource-intensive rendering could be. I vividly remember a moment during testing when my once-smooth frame rates dropped to a staggering crawl. It was frustrating to watch my hard work seemingly unravel, but it forced me to dive deeper into optimization techniques. Have you ever felt that sting of realizing you need to go back to the drawing board?

Another hurdle was learning how to manage complex systems within the engine. The task of integrating physics into the game was particularly daunting. I spent countless late nights trying to figure out how to make objects behave realistically. It was like trying to solve a puzzle without all the pieces. However, that struggle led to some of the most rewarding breakthroughs. I still remember the thrill when I finally achieved that satisfying bounce effect just right—what an incredible feeling!

Debugging also became a significant roadblock during development. There were days when I could spend hours sifting through lines of code, only to realize I had missed a simple typo. It sometimes felt like a game in itself, trying to outsmart my own mistakes. I learned to embrace this aspect of the process, though. Each bug fixed wasn’t just a lesson; it felt like a tiny victory. Have you ever found that joy in solving a problem when you least expected it?

Lessons learned from building

Building my first game engine taught me the importance of patience and perseverance. There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, like when I tried to implement a new feature and found myself staring at error messages for hours. It was then that I realized tackling one issue at a time, rather than trying to fix everything at once, was key. Have you ever had to learn that sometimes slow and steady truly wins the race?

I also discovered that collaboration can be incredibly powerful, even in what feels like a solo project. Sharing my progress with friends and fellow programmers opened up new perspectives that I hadn’t considered. One day, a colleague suggested a different approach to handling game physics, which not only simplified my code but also significantly improved the performance. It made me reflect on the value of community—how many times have you found help just when you needed it?

Moreover, I learned that failure is an integral part of the learning process. I still remember countless times when my engine would crash, leaving me disheartened. But after each setback, I would find a piece of insight that propelled my understanding forward. It taught me that each failure is just a stepping stone to mastery. Isn’t it interesting how our most frustrating moments can lead to our greatest insights?