---
id: vudovn/ag-kit/3d-games
version: "594937d2"
license: MIT
install: manual
updated: 2026-07-26
---

# 3d-games — Learn foundational 3D game systems covering rendering stages, shader types, collision shapes, and camera mechanics. This skill covers optimization strategies like frustum culling and LOD, lighting approaches, and common pitfalls to avoid when building immersive 3D experiences.

Publisher: vudovn · Stars: 8011 · Updated: 2026-07-26

Install (manual): `git clone https://github.com/vudovn/ag-kit`

## SKILL.md

# 3D Game Development

> Principles for 3D game systems.

---

## 1. Rendering Pipeline

### Stages

```
1. Vertex Processing → Transform geometry
2. Rasterization → Convert to pixels
3. Fragment Processing → Color pixels
4. Output → To screen
```

### Optimization Principles

| Technique | Purpose |
|-----------|---------|
| **Frustum culling** | Don't render off-screen |
| **Occlusion culling** | Don't render hidden |
| **LOD** | Less detail at distance |
| **Batching** | Combine draw calls |

---

## 2. Shader Principles

### Shader Types

| Type | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| **Vertex** | Position, normals |
| **Fragment/Pixel** | Color, lighting |
| **Compute** | General computation |

### When to Write Custom Shaders

- Special effects (water, fire, portals)
- Stylized rendering (toon, sketch)
- Performance optimization
- Unique visual identity

---

## 3. 3D Physics

### Collision Shapes

| Shape | Use Case |
|-------|----------|
| **Box** | Buildings, crates |
| **Sphere** | Balls, quick checks |
| **Capsule** | Characters |
| **Mesh** | Terrain (expensive) |

### Principles

- Simple colliders, complex visuals
- Layer-based filtering
- Raycasting for line-of-sight

---

## 4. Camera Systems

### Camera Types

| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| **Third-person** | Action, adventure |
| **First-person** | Immersive, FPS |
| **Isometric** | Strategy, RPG |
| **Orbital** | Inspection, editors |

### Camera Feel

- Smooth following (lerp)
- Collision avoidance
- Look-ahead for movement
- FOV changes for speed

---

## 5. Lighting

### Light Types

| Type | Use |
|------|-----|
| **Directional** | Sun, moon |
| **Point** | Lamps, torches |
| **Spot** | Flashlight, stage |
| **Ambient** | Base illumination |

### Performance Consideration

- Real-time shadows are expensive
- Bake when possible
- Shadow cascades for large worlds

---

## 6. Level of Detail (LOD)

### LOD Strategy

| Distance | Model |
|----------|-------|
| Near | Full detail |
| Medium | 50% triangles |
| Far | 25% or billboard |

---

## 7. Anti-Patterns

| ❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
|----------|-------|
| Mesh colliders everywhere | Simple shapes |
| Real-time shadows on mobile | Baked or blob shadows |
| One LOD for all distances | Distance-based LOD |
| Unoptimized shaders | Profile and simplify |

---

> **Remember:** 3D is about illusion. Create the impression of detail, not the detail itself.


[View on SkillFed](https://skillfed.io/vudovn/ag-kit/3d-games) · [View on GitHub](https://github.com/vudovn/ag-kit)