Talk:Physics engine

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Physics is also about optics, so why is it not called game mechanics ?Arnero 20:06, 1 November 2006 (UTC)

Because 'Physics Engine' is what 100% of the people in the business call these software libraries - they might well have chosen the name poorly - but that doesn't in any way alter the fact that 'Physics Engine' is what they are called. If there is ambiguity with something else that's also called 'a physics engine' then create a disambig page - but calling this by a name that nobody in the field uses would be ridiculous. The term 'game mechanics' has a completely different meaning to computer games people - it means (roughly) 'the rules by which the game is played'. Things like: Do you get to pick up more ammunition for your gun? Do you win by killing all of the enemy or by rescuing the princess? So calling this article "Game mechanics" would be terminally confusing for all involved. Nope - the name of the article is 100% correct. Sorry, SteveBaker 14:48, 2 November 2006 (UTC)