INDUSTRY

Games developer Codemasters and the Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre (EPCC) have devised an industry course in parallel computing for games development. The course is the first of its kind to focus on applying techniques developed in large-scale parallel computing projects to video game development. The course is supported by the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council and will be commercially available to other video game development companies. With the advent of next-generation video game consoles, Codemasters says parallel computing will become a necessary specialised skill in games development. The course will make use of the EPCC's experience in using large-scale parallel processor machines, which, for several decades, have been used to solve complex problems such as the formation of galaxies, the behaviour of accretion discs around black holes, and the modelling of the behaviour of quarks and other particles inside nuclei. Parallel computing, also called parallel processing, is the simultaneous use of more than one CPU to execute a program. Ideally, parallel processing makes a program run faster because there are more engines (CPUs) running it. In practice, it is often difficult to divide a program in such a way that separate CPUs can execute different portions without interfering with each other. Most computers have just one CPU, but some models have several. There are even computers with thousands of CPUs. With single-CPU computers, it is possible to perform parallel processing by connecting the computers in a network. However, this type of parallel processing requires very sophisticated software called distributed processing software. Parallel processing differs from multitasking, in which a single CPU executes several programs at once. Stephen Harrison-Mirfield, HR Director for Codemasters states, 'We are very excited to work with a world leading parallel computing centre like EPCC in developing this course for the industry. The aim is to be at the forefront of next generation gaming, and a whole new skill set is needed to program for these consoles. We look forward to seeing the benefits throughout the games industry'. Mark Parsons, Commercial Director at the EPCC said, 'Spend a little time playing Colin McRae Rally 2005, and you'll discover the bigger experience that faster processing brings to gaming. 'Bigger and faster' are bywords in the supercomputing world as well. 'We are delighted to be working with Codemasters because of the opportunity to learn from each other's world leading expertise and established track record. Our collaboration will enhance the gaming experience for players across the globe'.