Computer Science 290(160)

Introduction to Computer Game Design and Programming

Instructor: Robert (Bob) Sorenson

E-Mail:

Office: EMS 386F

Office Ext: 2796

Office Hours: T.B.A. , extensions by appointment

I.) Objectives

Introduction to Computer Game Programming & Design provides students with an overview of the concepts and considerations that go into designing a computer game. Such as: player mode; goal(s) and genre; character and story development; game-play and interface considerations. In addition to learning the key concepts, students will gain first-hand practice as they design and implement a novel game using a modern game developing environment like GameMaker.

II.) Content

History / Introduction (1 ½ weeks)

  • Before arcade
  • Arcade classics
  • Consoles and console games
  • PC games
  • Online games

Platforms & Player Modes (2 weeks)

  • Platforms
  • Temporal modes
  • Player modes

Goals & Genres (1 week)

  • Game audience
  • Game genres

Player Elements (1 week)

  • Game market
  • Player motivation
  • Geography
  • Psycho-graphics
  • Demographics

Story & Character Development (3 weeks)

  • Historical overview
  • Classic character archetypes
  • Traditional story structure
  • Story elements
  • Plot
  • Game story devices
  • Game characters
  • Character development elements
  • Player point-of-view
  • Visual character development
  • Verbal character development
  • Movement
  • Character description / background / history
  • Game story telling & documentation

Game-play (2 weeks)

  • Rules of play
  • Interactivity modes
  • Game theory
  • Challenges
  • Balance
  • Economies
  • Game-play & documentation

Levels (2 weeks)

  • Level design
  • Level structure
  • Time
  • Space

Interface (1 week)

  • Player-centered design
  • Interface & game features
  • Interface types
  • Usability

Audio (1 week)

  • Importance of
  • Sound effects
  • Voice-overs
  • Music

Text:

Game Development Essentials (3rd Ed.)

Jeannie Novak

Demar Cengage learning

ISBN13: 978-1-1113-0765-3

Course Requirements and Grading:

Course Requirements:

  1. Weekly or bi-weekly small game implementation assignments – designed to teach skills and techniques needed to made progress on the implementation of the novel game project.
  1. A proof of concept presentation - indicating what the novel game being developed will be and a final presentation - demonstrating what the novel game developed actually is.
  1. Two examinations - a Midterm and a Final - covering the book concepts and terminology used to produce the design and/or documentation of the novel game project.
  • Midterm – Date T.B.A - Normal class time and room
  • Final – As Scheduled by University – Normal class room

Grading:

Student's final grade shall consist of 40% novel game project, presentations, and documentation; 20% assignments; 30% examinations.

Grade Scale:

A / A- / B+ / B / C / D / F
90 / 87 / 84 / 80 / 70 / 60 / 50

Workload:

This course meets for a total of 42 contact hours. There are about 8 required homework assignments, each of which will take 3 or more hours. Finally, preparing the novel game project, presentations, and documentation is expected to take at least 40 hours. This yields a total estimated workload of 106 hours.

Accommodations:

Verification of disability, class standards, the policy on the use of alternate material and test accommodations can be found at the following:

Religious Obligations:

Policies regarding accommodations for absences due to religious observance are found at the following: