One reason why computer-related courses such as computer science and information technology require a lot of math is that math is used in programming. Above is a video of Super Mario and the use of the parabola which is part of mathematics. Trigonometry and geometry are widely used though I think more of trigonometry due to all the angles. The mathematics is being used accurately though we really end up realizing one weird paradox - some basic physics is IGNORED. Floating blocks for one defy the law of gravity. Question mark boxes just can't exist.
However, the laws of physics are really ignored to a certain extent. True, Super Mario could climb up the slope slower and land down faster. Many of Mario's moves done are really deadly such as jumping from incredible heights. Do some basic trigonometry and geometry and it'll tell you that jumping from THAT HEIGHT will kill you in real life. Mario's butt slam in Super Mario 64 is bound to land him in the hospital. Also, Mario's ability to break bricks with his hands defies that of martial arts. His ability to step on Goombas and force the Koopa Troopas to either hide in their shell or get de-shelled is also defying physics. Mario's ability to drop from incredible heights without getting injured obviously defies physics. Flying using the cape feather from Super Mario World or the raccoon/tanooki suit from Super Mario Bros. 3 is also not applicable to real-life physics either.
Now, let's learn to apply the uses of trigonometry with REAL-LIFE physics. This would tell you that any video game character is really going to DIE if real-life physics were used. If video game programmers used real-life physics then the fun of playing video games is removed. That's what happened in the game Spelunker which tries to use some video game physics. Notice how Spelunker would have its character die from falling from a high place. However, Mario doesn't in any Super Mario game unless he drops into a huge pit OR into lava. The same principle applies to almost every video game hero - they manage to jump from incredibly high places and barely hit a scratch. It's because of the limited application of real-life physics. The real-life physics obviously used is like how a firewall could easily destroy you or a huge pit would. It's all about the selective use of real-life physics in video game design.
Just think we have superhero physics defied. For example, heroes from Marvel Comics will tell you that those powers defy science. Cyclops' concussive blasts are made of a fictional matter and they are NOT lasers. Iceman's ability would've already killed him from hypothermia. Wolverine's immune system is what makes his claws bearable - the healing factor allows him to heal immediately when the claws come out of his skin. Without that healing factor - Wolverine would've bled to death. Magneto's magnetic powers are already overexaggerated in some versions - the iron in our blood is too limited. Meanwhile, Magneto's powers can affect electricity which is a bit more realistic. Spiderman has also dropped himself from VERY HIGH PLACES and lived to tell about it. Also, the ability to gather chi to form into a fireball is purely fictional. A study showed that it's just impossible to perform the Hadoken from Street Fighter in any real-life scenario. Couple them with mathematics and you can tell that the lack of realism is really there. In the Tokusatsu series, they also copy the same idiotic logic from American superheroes. The ability to suddenly change your clothes into a not-spandex outfit isn't possible. The weapons are also not possible either. Getting your weapons out of thin air isn't possible. Making the giant Megazords in Super Sentai (and in extension, Power Rangers) is scientifically impossible. I also think the Kamen Rider's use of the Rider Kick would also endanger not just the monster-of-the-week but also the Kamen Rider. The giant battles of the week would totally wear out a city and it would take a LONG TIME to repair it. Yet, the next episode tends to ignore the collateral damage done by those monster battles.
The video above will show how and why physics needs to be defied in video games. Just think for a second that realistic physics will put an end to all our favorite characters. With that, part of the fun in video game programming (which I'm not into) is that while mathematical computations are necessary - we get some fun imagining stuff that defies real-life physics. Just think we used a lot of trigonometry to make that homing projectile. However, that homing projectile just defied physics by not endangering the user or not directly killing the target at all!
Comments
Post a Comment