A Case Study of a 3D Space-Shooter Game - ULMO the Star Explorer

Abstract

This Bachelor’s thesis treats the development of ULMO the Star Explorer, a graphically intensive space-shooter game set in three dimensions, which is developed using the framework Microsoft XNA. The project was carried out as a case study, and the thesis presents and compares different techniques that can be used to solve the problems we identified. The main focus for this thesis is to present the graphical effects used to create a graphically intensive game within a limited time frame, but it also presents the different solutions chosen to create the game engine used by the game. The thesis covers several common graphical effects used by games, such as Bloom and Motion Blur, and presents two novel algorithms: one algorithm for lighting of spheres, and one algorithm to generate the game world including a path within the threedimensional space of this world. ULMO the Star Explorer does not contain all the features that were originally planned, but is still a fully functional game that can, given the time frame and the number of project members, be seen as a visually pleasing game.