Which statement best describes the difference between real-time and baked lighting?

The distinction between real-time lighting and baked lighting is fundamental in game design, particularly in how lighting impacts performance and visual fidelity in a game environment. Real-time lighting refers to lighting that is computed dynamically during gameplay. This means that the lighting can react to changes in the scene, such as moving characters or environmental changes, providing a highly interactive experience. However, because it requires calculations on-the-fly, real-time lighting can have a significant performance impact, particularly in complex scenes.

Baked lighting, on the other hand, is pre-calculated, meaning that light information is computed ahead of time and stored in textures or lightmaps. This pre-computation process typically occurs during the development phase of the game, allowing for intricate lighting effects that would be too performance-intensive to calculate in real-time. Once baked, the lighting information is quickly accessible during gameplay, resulting in better performance since it doesn’t require constant recalculation.

Understanding this difference is crucial because it helps game developers decide when to use each type of lighting based on the needs of the game, such as performance targets or visual requirements. Using baked lighting can drastically improve performance in static environments, while real-time lighting is essential for areas that require dynamic interaction.