Texture mapping in game engines improves material realism by applying 2D textures to 3D model surfaces, simulating surface details like color, texture, and light interaction without increasing polygon count.
Key texture types include: - **Albedo maps**: Define base color and surface patterns, mimicking natural materials like wood or stone. - **Normal maps**: Simulate small surface bumps/indentations by altering light reflection, adding depth without extra geometry. - **Roughness/metallic maps**: Control light scattering (roughness) or reflection (metallic), making surfaces matte, shiny, or metallic.
By combining these textures, engines replicate real-world material properties, balancing detail and performance to make surfaces look more lifelike.