im new to the gamming world and am wondering what types of components need to go into making a 3D platformer type of game. I know of particle engine, physics library, terrain editor, collision detection and basic AI. Im wondering if anyone knows any other core components for a 3D platformer. Thanks in advance.

Just use .bsp maps.

Since you are new(assuming that you are), maybe it is best to stay off the 3D subject. I have been programming for about 1 1/2 years now and still haven''t gotten that far (close but not yet).

Umm... i think the most important thing in a 3D platformer is the camera. Good games have been killed(what i say killed, i mean KILLED) from bad cameras. The camera is non-responsive or too responsive, gives a bad angle, or is just plain odd *dumb*.
3D in general is difficult.

Another thing is detail. Detail is everything in a game. A game with low detail doesn''t look perfect but still is playable at a constant 50-60 fps which is good. Movie like quality is REALLY good but with a framerate of 25 fps, it looks even worse than the low-detailed one obviosly. And that is what make 3D programming so hard, finding that balance.

Did i get off topic? Umm... go get a game programming book because i have just wasted 5 minutes of your precious time!