Lecture, 2 hours; laboratory, 2 hours. This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of video game design and programming. Video games combine, in real-time, concepts in computer graphics, human-computer interaction, networking, artificial intelligence, computer aided instruction, computer architecture, and databases. This course introduces students to a variety of game engines and frameworks and explores artificially intelligent agents. Students will work as part of a team to create a complete description document for a computer game and implement a prototype of the game.
Grade of C- or better in CS-315 or instructor consent.
Robert Bruce
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
In this exercise, students will follow Godot’s "Dodge the Creeps!" online tutorial for beginning 2D game development.
In this exercise, students will follow Godot’s "Squash the Creeps!" online tutorial for beginning 3D game development.
In this exercise, students will analyze the game mechanics for an Asteroids game written in Godot.
In this exercise, students will analyze the game mechanics for an Angry Birds game clone written in Godot.
In this exercise, students will analyze the game mechanics for Cat Burglar written in Godot.
Working as a team, students will present a project proposal to the class for an original 2D game. The project proposal may include wireframes, storyboarding, description of the game mechanics, art assets, notes about user-interface, user-experience, etc.
Working as a team, students will implement a 2D game in Godot based on the Game Project Proposal.
As a team, students will showcase their 2D game to the class. Each team member will speak about their individual contributions. Students will be graded on their ability to communicate in a clear and concise manner, the relevancy of supplemental visual material to support their presentation, and their timing.
Each student will write a reflective report concerning the Game Project.
The midterm exam will based on chapters 1 through 18 of Schell's The Art of Game Design. The exam will be comprised of open-ended questions. The exam will be closed-book. You may use one A4 sheet of paper (8.5 inches width by 11 inches length) for notes during the midterm examination. You may write notes on both sides of the sheet of paper.
The final exam will based on chapters 19 through 35 of Schell's The Art of Game Design. The exam will be comprised of open-ended questions. The exam will be closed-book. You may use one A4 sheet of paper (8.5 inches width by 11 inches length) for notes during the midterm examination. You may write notes on both sides of the sheet of paper.
† Graded as an individual‡ Graded as a group (each member of the group gets same grade)
Ultimately this course is graded A, B, C, D, or F. Percentage grades are rounded to the nearest whole number. For example, a grade of 92.4% will be rounded to 92% and result in a grade of "A minus". A grade of 92.5% will be rounded to 93% and result in a grade of "A".
Absent extenuating circumstances (illness, family emergency), late submissions will be accepted under the late policy until the advertised "Until" deadline on Canvas. The late policy is minus 10% per day, and never grows more than minus 50% markdown (as long as the assignment is submitted before the final deadline via Canvas).