Essential Math for Games Programmers

Jim Van Verth has been working in the game industry for nine years, concentrating on 3D graphics and simulation. Most of that time has been at Red Storm Entertainment, where he was lead engineer on Tom Clancy's Politika and Force 21. He is currently graphics and simulation lead on Rainbow Six: Lockdown for the PS2. At GDC, he has been a co-author on three papers and this is his sixth year presenting the Essential Math for Programmers tutorial. He is also co-author of the book "Essential Mathematics for Games and Interactive Applications," published through Morgan Kaufmann.

Lars M. Bishop

Lars M. Bishop is the Chief Technology Officer for Numerical Design Limited (NDL). Since 1996, he has specialized in real-time 3D game rendering technologies at NDL. He was a founding member of the team that created NDL's popular NetImmerse and Gamebryo 3D game engines. Lars is currently working on the development of next-generation NDL products, specifically 3D engines and tools for handheld devices. He holds a B.S. in mathematics and computer science from Brown University and a M.S. in computer science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is co-author of the book "Essential Mathematics for Games and Interactive Applications," published through Morgan Kaufmann.

Jason Clark

Jason Clark is a member of Red Storm Entertainment, where he has been a software engineer for three years. While there Jason has focused on graphics, animation, and IK, as well as ragdoll physics using the Havok physics engine. Jason is currently working on Rainbow Six: Lockdown for both the PS2 and PC. His background includes a B.S. in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology and an M.S. from UNC Chapel Hill, where he worked in the Nanomanipulator group with Dr. Russell Taylor.

Marq Singer

Marq Singer has had a long and varied career. He spent the late 80's and early 90's working in the film industry in a variety of projects and roles, which ranged from general crew for TV commercials to special effects for horror films, including the minor cult-classic Killer (1989). He is co-author of Java Applets and Channels...Without Programming, and has taught multiple guest lectures at UNC Chapel Hill on games and technology. Since 1998 he has been working in the games industry, serving in a number engineering functions including physics, animation, UI and AI. Currently he is primarily a physics programmer for Red Storm Entertainment, a division of Ubisoft, working with both the Havok(tm) engine and custom soft-body dynamics on Rainbow Six: Lockdown for the PS2.

Marcus Nordenstam

Marcus Nordenstam helped present this tutorial the first year it was ever given. He is currently at Sony Imageworks, where he has helped build special effects software for such movies as Spider-Man 2. Previously he worked at Industrial Light & Magic, Red Storm Entertainment, and Interactive Magic.