Developing a Realistic Squash Simulation with Advanced Physics and Gameplay Mechanics

Industry

Gaming & Sports Simulation

Service

Game Development

Technologies We Use

Unity, C#, Unity Animation Rigging

Executive Summary

Delivering a squash simulation that balances realistic physics with responsive gameplay was the goal behind Dynamic Court. Built by Acme One for a sports game studio, the Unity based simulation combines advanced ball physics, motion captured player animations, and intelligent camera systems to recreate the pace and rhythm of a real squash match. The project improved gameplay responsiveness, visual realism, and development efficiency while maintaining a smooth player experience.

Key Results

  • Realistic ball physics with surface based bounce, spin, and friction.
  • Improved player responsiveness through refined animation systems.
  • Broadcast style camera delivering smoother rally tracking.
  • 50% faster gameplay iteration using modular animation and debugging tools.
  • More immersive gameplay through dynamic physics and environmental reactions.
  • Stable performance while maintaining realistic simulation mechanics.

What challenges did HARC face when building a cross platform digital twin?

Creating a realistic sports simulation requires balancing accurate physics with enjoyable gameplay. Overly realistic mechanics can reduce responsiveness, while simplified systems often break immersion and player satisfaction.

Key challenges included:

  • Ball physics that lacked natural surface interaction.
  • Motion capture animations requiring extensive refinement.
  • Camera systems struggling to follow high speed rallies.
  • Balancing simulation accuracy with enjoyable gameplay.
  • Accelerating gameplay balancing and testing.

Goals & Objectives

The project aimed to:

  • Deliver realistic ball movement across different court surfaces.
  • Improve animation quality and player responsiveness.
  • Build a cinematic camera system for fast paced rallies.
  • Balance realism with accessible gameplay.
  • Create efficient tools for gameplay tuning.
How did Acme One build a realistic squash simulation?

Acme One developed Dynamic Court in Unity using custom physics systems, advanced animation workflows, and intelligent camera mechanics to recreate authentic squash gameplay.

Custom physics equations were developed to calculate bounce height, spin, friction, and energy transfer based on the type of court surface, creating natural ball behavior that changes dynamically throughout each rally.

Motion capture animations were refined in Autodesk Maya before being integrated into Unity using Animation Rigging. Character movements were synchronized with player input to produce fluid swings, footwork, and positioning with minimal input delay.

To improve match presentation, the development team built a predictive camera system that anticipates player movement and ball trajectories instead of simply following the ball. Smooth interpolation creates broadcast style camera movement while maintaining visibility during fast rallies.

Continuous playtesting allowed designers to fine tune physics, animations, and gameplay pacing until the simulation achieved the desired balance between realism and responsiveness.

Workflow infographic showing a squash game system with custom physics, advanced animation, predictive camera controls, and continuous gameplay refinement.

How was the simulation implemented?

The implementation included:

  • Developed custom surface based ball physics.
  • Refined motion capture animations in Maya.
  • Integrated Unity Animation Rigging.
  • Built predictive broadcast style camera controls.
  • Optimized gameplay responsiveness.
  • Conducted iterative balancing and playtesting.

What business outcomes did Dynamic Court deliver?

More realistic ball behavior.

Improved animation quality.

Cinematic match presentation.

Faster gameplay iteration.

Enhanced player immersion.

Scalable simulation framework for future development.

What business outcomes did Dynamic Court deliver?

More realistic ball behavior.

Improved animation quality.

Cinematic match presentation.

Faster gameplay iteration.

Enhanced player immersion.

Scalable simulation framework for future development.

What Our Client Says

Don’t just take our word for it. Hear what our satisfied clients have to say about their experience partnering with ACME ONE

"Our objective wasn't simply to create realistic physics. We wanted players to feel every rally naturally. By combining responsive controls, intelligent camera movement, and authentic ball behavior, the experience became immersive without sacrificing playability."

Lead Gameplay Designer
Squash Game

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Contact Info

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Our Location

Meydan – Nad Al Sheba – Dubai – United Arab Emirates

Phone Number

+971 50 952 6681

Email Address

info@acme-one.com

Working Hours

Monday - Friday: 9.00 - 6.00
Saturday & Sunday (Closed)

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