JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

In this study, the architecture and evolution of computer game engines are analyzed by means of a literature review on the academic research body on the subject. The history of computer games, from early 1960s to modern day is presented, with a focus on the architectures behind the games. In the process, this study will answer a selection of research questions. The topics of the questions include identifying the common parts of a game engine, identifying the architectural trends in the evolution from early to present-day games and engines, identifying ways the process of evolution has affected the present state of the engines, and presenting some possible future trends for the evolution. As findings of the study, common parts of a game engine were identified as the parts that are specific to every game, with the suggestion that more detailed analyses could be made by concentrating on different genres. Increase in the size, modularity and portability of game engines, and improved tooling associated with them were identified as general trends in the evolution from first games to today. Various successful design decisions behind certain influential games were identified, and the way they affect the present state of the engines were discussed. Finally, increased utilization of parallelism, and the move of game engines from genre-specific towards genre-neutral were identified as possible future trends in the evolution.