The goal of this thesis is to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of modern functional programming in the development of 3D computer games. Functional programming languages have demonstrated a gain in productivity in a range of application areas (e.g., Ericsson's use of the language Erlang for telecommunication). Todays computer games are very complex pieces of software and any advance in language technology that simplifies the development of computer games would be a welcome help. Moreover, improvements in this area promise to be of economic relevance as the entertainment industry, in general, and the computer games industry, in particular, are profitable industries with a health growth rate.

In this thesis project you will implement a 3D computer game using the cross-platform graphics library OpenGL. The type of game (first-person, third-person, shooter, platform, strategy, etc.) is open to negatiation and depends on your interests.

• Core requirements for successful completion:
  • A basic game must be up and running.
  • Performance has to be acceptable.
• Extra tasks for the ambitious:
  • Use of advanced OpenGL features.
  • Fancy graphics and audio.
  • Analysis of the pros and cons of functional programming for writing 3D computer games.

• The OpenGL standard for high performance graphics.
• HOpenGL is a Haskell binding to OpenGL.
• The modern functional programming language Haskell.