How do Video Game Graphics Work?

Have you ever wondered how video game graphics have become incredibly realistic? How can GPUs and graphics cards render such incredibly detailed scenes? Well, in this video we're going to explore how just a bunch of data in your computer gets turned into realistic graphics. Additionally, we'll take a quick look into Ray Tracing, DLSS or Deep Learning Super Sampling, and many other complicated aspects of video game graphics.

We at Branch Education love to play video games, so this video has been one of our favorite ones to make thus far. It's kind of like getting to look under the hood of your childhood car. Also, it was surprising that practically all video games use similar basic steps to render each frame. Furthermore, as a fun fact, to create this video our team used 1x 3090ti, 3x 3090s, and the model that we tore down was a 3090.

There are just sooooo many topics in the realm of computer graphics that we couldn't cover. If you're interested in part 2 where we'll cover things like UVs, Normal Maps, Shadows, Reflections, Specular Reflections, and much more, tell us in the comments.

Table of Contents:
00:00 - Video Game Graphics
01:11 - Graphics Rendering Pipeline and Vertex Shading
04:16 - Video Game Consoles & Graphics Cards
05:06 - Rasterization
06:51 - Visibility Z Buffer Depth Buffer
10:03 - Pixel Fragment Shading
11:35 - The Math Behind Pixel Shading
14:05 - Vector Math & Brilliant Sponsorship
16:11 - Flat vs Smooth Shading
17:25 - An Appreciation for Video Games
17:58- Ray Tracing
18:45 - DLSS Deep Learning Super Sampling
19:06 - GPU Architecture and Types of Cores
20:06 - Future Videos on Advanced Topics
20:24 - Outro for Video Game Graphics

Key Branches from this video are: How do JPEGs Work? How does Computer Hardware Work?

Erratum:

Animation: Mike Radjabov, Prakash Kakadiya, Teddy Tablante
Script: Teddy Tablante
Twitter: @teddytablante
Modeling: Mike Radjabov, Prakash Kakadiya
Voice Over: Phil Lee
Sound Effects and Music Editor: Raúl Núñez
Supervising Sound Editor and Mixer: Luis Huesca

References:

"NVIDIA Ampere GA102 GPU Architecture" Second-Generation RTX. NVIDIA Corporation 2021

Wikipedia contributors. "Computer Animation" "Computer Graphics". "CUDA". "Graphics Pipeline". "History of Computer Animation". "NVIDIA". "Rasterization". Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Visited December 21nd 2023

#Graphics #GPU #Algorithm

[BranchEducation]

This has been one of our favorite videos to make thus far. In this video, we covered the core steps of the video game graphics algorithm. We are debating making a 2nd video on some of the more advanced topics such as how shadows, reflections, and specular highlights (metal shininess) are calculated, as well as UVs, Normal Maps, Deferred Rendering, and other topics. However, 'part two' videos are tricky on YouTube because they rely on the viewer watching the first part, and there's always some level of attrition. So if you want a Part 2 / 2nd video on this topic, comment below on your interest.

[wedusk]

I'm a professional graphics engineer and this is one of the best videos covering this topic. I will be using this video for newcomers to the field.

[harrylee]

The amount of work behind this 20 minute video is amazing. I am not taking it for granted.

[jpkral]

This channel, and this video, is the most underrated in the youtube algorithm. Instead of junkie videos that the majority consume, I wish it was videos like these that deserve the spotlight and recognition. This is amazing work and I hope there is nothing out there that forces you guys to slow down

[ebenezerscrew]

I am a highly untrained normal person without any specific knowledge of making games or graphic computing and i find it astonishing that humans are capable of creating such insanely complex devices but still fight over things such as simple differences

[mattwatkins]

I've been playing video games for over 30 years and been a professional graphic designer for over 12 and I've never seen such a clear and well produced video explaining how video game graphics work. VERY impressive.

[snehmehta]

This is genuinely a 20 min long master class and the fact that we are able to watch it for free is crazy. Thank you team branch Education for such awesome content.

[RVillani]

As a game dev, this video will make my life that much easier as an introduction to newcomers to the field. Beautifully crafted, guys! Kudos!

[WaveMaster]

As a professional 3D artist in Architecture, I learned more in less than 30 minutes in this video than I would have in 1 year. Thank you so much. This YouTube channel is a gem.

[lightdark]

What a wild video. 30 Years of gaming and never have i understood the mathematical complexity involved in the more modern games. Honestly breathtaking. Now playing AAA modded games in VR obviously takes these calculations to the next level. What a time to be alive. Great video guys!

[shivamvedi]

I genuinely learnt more from this video than I did while studying “Graphics Engineering” in college for an entire semester😅

[Static_MA]

It’s hard to believe that content of this quality is free. It amazes me the things that us humans have accomplished. Something that most people don’t give a second thought to, they just download a game and have fun playing it without thinking of the incredible engineering behind every pixel on their screen. It is truly awe-inspiring.

[alarmgoesding]

If you've taken a linear algebra course, this video is super easy to follow and covers a majority of the graphics process. Bravo!

[No_Names_Here]

Do not lose the narrator. He explains so well!
This is by miles my favourite video from Branch Education.

[ahmde]

Oh my god, I doubt the average person realizes how much work there is to create a video like this. You have my utmost respect. I pray for the day that your channel has 100M subs.

[drewjsnyder]

Easily one of the most underrated channels on YouTube. So much good content and education broken down into layman's terms.

[TangoIndiaMike]

The first Brilliant Ad I haven't skipped through.

[jakeknight]

This is insane. I can’t believe we live in a world where this is free. Great job.

[thefraniboy]

I don't have words to describe the incredible amount of quality this video put on the knowledge, animation and narrative. One of the best channels on YouTube.

[VikramBamel]

As someone who works on
GPU Hardware Design, I didn't expect the video to cover so much of the subject. Thoroughly enjoyed the video and would highly recommend to beginners in the field.