How does collision detection work in video games?

Collision detection is the computational problem of determining if, when, and where two or more virtual objects intersect in space. It is a classic problem in computational geometry with applications spanning video games, computer graphics, and physical simulations. Algorithms can operate on either 2D or 3D spatial objects to manage these interactions, and physical simulations may also involve soft-body dynamics where shapes deform.

What we know

• Collision detection addresses the computational problem of finding if, when, and where objects intersect in virtual space. [2]
• Collision detection algorithms can be divided into operations on either 2D or 3D spatial objects. [2]
• Soft-body dynamics focus on visually realistic physical simulations of deformable objects with applications in video games and films. [3]

Where to go next

• the bigger pictureWhat is soft-body dynamics in computer graphics?
• how it workedHow do physics engines simulate deformable objects?
• a case in pointWhere else is collision detection applied besides video games?
• compared withHow do 2D and 3D spatial objects differ in collision algorithms?
• whenWhat was the history of early video games featuring spatial interactions?
• an unexpected connectionHow does robot navigation connect with video game physics?Both autonomous driving systems and video games rely on the exact same fundamental computational geometry problem of real-time collision detection to navigate virtual or physical spaces.

Sources

• [1]collision detection (Wikidata Q1550329) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Collision detection · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Soft-body dynamics · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]Video game · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Isometric video game graphics · CC BY-SA 4.0