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I was just wondering about something and I wasn't sure were to post this. I'am trying to go into the game development career and I was just wondering do you need a lot of math for game design? I am not a math person, I don't totally suck at it though. I've been really focused on this career and I'm worried that math is going to get in the way.
Edited by Umbrella Corp., 09 March 2010 - 23:59.

funny as this is something I've been wondering about too

all i can say is that it's probably highly dependant on which role you wish to fulfil within a game company. if you choose general game design i fear maths will be included, unless the school that offers it has varying class packages. (here in Belgium for example you have a degree of choice concerning additional classes, like maths. though not everywhere).

You will have to deal with maths at some stage, but unless you're writing something to be 100% realistic it's not terribly important. Primary areas to look into are linear algebra (vectors/matrixes), sound/light behaviour (acoustics, optics) and sound/image processing.

Of course, where vectors are involved knowing Vector Calculus is right around the corner. Once you know how to do standard single variable integration/differentiation, using vectors isn't that much more difficult.

Oh, okay because when it comes to geometry I'm not that bad at it, but algebra just makes me want to pull my hair out. Matrixes though are really easy. Its funny because I thought it was going to be all precalc.

I want to go into map making for game design and maybe work on games like Call of Duty.
Edited by Umbrella Corp., 10 March 2010 - 02:42.

Artificial Intelligence?
I also not really good in calculus but now I'm taking math and computer degree. math is a basic knowledge that can be applied almost everywhere. it also really helps in IT issues/problems, not only game design.

For visual and graphical design, math is almost unimportant bar some geometry. For signals though, you need math all the way up to calc II and ODEs as well as Fourier Series and other engineering math topics. Engine design requires discrete math and logic as well as algorithm design. All in all, for anything not art-related, get into Electrical/Computer Engineering at university.

I don't think engineering is going to help you understand game development, though. Game development is at a much higher level than raw circuitry. The days of optimised assembly code are mostly over nowadays, so there is no reason to go any lower than a mid-level language like C++ or C.

Well computer engineering helps alot in the physics aspect as well as relating to hardware better. I only mentioned Electrical because many universities lump the two together.

What if you want to go into just the art of gaming for an example like after they finish the engine and you just have to make maps lets say for online multiplayer? Doing the sky and the trees or making oceans...something like that?

Yeah in that case just really basic arithmetic and geometry. Maybe some linear algebra too for vector graphics. It's simple enough for most people in humanities majors.

If you want to be real good in symmetry and geometry modelling vectors would be a good thing to know for logics.

On a side note, I do think mathematics is going to be more important for the art design as well in the future. This is because of stuff like Procedural generated content (textures & geometry) which are not stored in the gamefiles but created on the fly by mathematical algorithms. Being able to stuff all of your art like they did in Roboblitz and create a game thats made up of megabytes rather than terabytes, or new graphics technology like raytracing and point based graphics.

I think that, if you're young now and want to get into game developing, you're gonna need some more math than what is used in current development.
Edited by Shock, 11 March 2010 - 18:50.

I'am a senior right now in high school and I'm taking algebra II, but I guess I just have to kick ass in college with math.

Math doesn't have to be hard. The key to it is adequate practice. DO solve the assigned problems the prof gives you (or at least a good portion of them).

Umbrella Corp., on 12 Mar 2010, 22:09, said:

Wow, really? Most people an my school took Algebra II as sophomores.

The Machman, on 13 Mar 2010, 20:57, said:

I had to take Algebra pt. 1 and 2 because I have auditory processing disorder. It doesn't mean that I'am stupid though, I just have trouble with directions.
Edited by Umbrella Corp., 14 March 2010 - 16:16.

The Machman, on 13 Mar 2010, 20:57, said:

I'm in Algebra II because I took Geometry before I took Algebra. We also only need three credits in math where I live. :v

That said, I personally can't stress enough how far I've gotten just from starting to pay attention in my math classes. I can find ways to apply almost everything I've learned in them when it comes to games.

Well I was just passing through this forum and I think I'm going to return to it..b/c I've been busy over the months and getting ready for college and everything.

To your reply: I've heard that when it comes to making games it is mostly talent that the companies look for (but you also have to have knowledge) I'm getting ready to start my first year at a community college as a freshman and I'm taking Communication Design and then maybe game Design degree. I here math is a lot better to learn in college than high school...

All math needs is some practice to be honest. Do a good number of the assigned exercises and you'll find you have few problems. Unless your prof is a douche.

As long as you stay completely within design and do not move into programming, it's pretty unlikely you'll need any more maths than basic arithmetic.