For the countless tasks involved in creating a game engine there are an equal number of possible solutions. This text is a hands-on, comprehensive resource packed with a variety of game programming algorithms written by experts from the game industry. From animation and artificial intelligence to Z-buffering, lighting calculations, weather effects, curved surfaces and mutliple layer Internet gaming, to music and sound effects, all of the major techniques needed to develop a competitive game engine are covered. "Game Programming Gems" is written in a style which should be accessible to individuals with a range of expertise levels. All of the source code for each algorithm is included and can be used by advanced programmers immediately. For aspiring programmers, there is a detailed tutorial to work hrough before attempting the code, and suggestions for possible modifications and optimizations are included as well. The CD-ROM contains the source code in C and C++, completely portable to Windows and Linux, and all graphics displays which use the popular Open GL language.