THE ROLE OF ENTITY-COMPONENT-SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE IN THE VIDEO GAMES DEVELOPMENT

This work was focused on researching the implementation of ECS architecture into the computer games development process.The core structure of an ECS architecture includes a central data management system, referred to as the core, which organises memory pools for components and metadata.This organisational framework supports efficient data access and manipulation, critical for real-time simulation and interactive gameplay.Additionally, ECS employs maps and dictionaries to expedite component and sector lookups, enhancing runtime efficiency and facilitating rapid data retrieval.Implementing ECS in a practical scenario involves defining components, registering them within the system, and designing systems to process these components efficiently.For example, in a First-Person Shooter (FPS) game, ECS enables the creation and management of entities such as players, NPCs, and interactive objects through structured component arrays and system interactions.Each system within the FPS architecture follows a structured lifecycle, from initialisation to update and eventual closure, ensuring efficient resource management and consistent gameplay experiences.The development and implementation of ECS are illustrated through a concise C-based library, demonstrating how ECS principles can streamline game development while maintaining code clarity and performance.By minimising intersystem dependencies and optimising data access patterns, ECS fosters a modular approach to game design, enabling developers to focus on enhancing gameplay mechanics and visual fidelity without compromising stability or scalability.