CS 4491

Computer Game Design

Fall 2009, Dr. Ken Hoganson

Website under development!

Clendenin CS Building, Room 2007

Time: M/W 3:30 - 4:45., CRN 81113.

Description. An introduction to digital game design including:  introduction to game design engines, 2D graphics, 3D graphics, mobile device platforms, game design software design process, agile software design, game control structures, and games as simulations.  Also includes and intro to Artificial Intelligence for digital games.  Students will work in teams to develop a game targeted for a specific platform, will beta-test peer projects, and make presentations.

Textbook: 3D Game Programming All-In-One, Finney

Under Construction!

First day of class:	Syllabus, Textbook, Grading
Lecture 01	Intro to Torque
Lecture 02	Intro to Torque P2 (pdf)
Lecture 03	Configuration, Chapter3, Example scripts (pdf)
Lecture 04	Chapter 4. Emaga4 setup, objects, namespaces, datablocks.
Lecture 05	Chapter 5. Emaga5 client/server & weapons for avatar..
Lecture 06	Chapter 6. Emaga6 client/server communication and messaging.
Lecture 07&08 Sept 14 & 16	Interlude: 2nd Game Design Platform: 2-D games: Gamemaker 7 Gamemaker 7 Lite self-extract Maze Game Zip File (4 versions) Maze Game Exercises
Lecture 09&10 Sept 28&30	Interlude: 2nd Game Design Platform: 2-D games: Depth & Isomorphic Zip File (4 versions) Depth Game Exercises
Lecture 11&12 Oct 5 & 7	Interlude: 2nd Game Design Platform: 2-D games: Gamemaker Project Requirements Intro to Platform Games Zip File (5 versions) Platform Game Exercises
Oct 12	Gamemaker Project Development
Oct 14	Gamemaker Project Required Beta Testing
Oct 19	Exam & Project Work Day, no lecture, instructor in office for help with Gamemaker.
Exam	Two Parts: Take-Home Exam on Torque Scripting, and Gamemaker Project Midterm Exam/Project Due Oct 21 Take-home exam due on October 21.
.pdf document	A DGIC09 Game and Conference Presentation as your final exam or extra credit.
Torque Project	Torque Project and Final Exam. Teams of 4, formal roles, Beta-testing, Final Presentation.
Oct 26	Forming Teams. Submit a email to the instructor on your team members and project roles. Chapter 7 on Torque. More Script Files.
Oct 28	Gamemaker Window Demo. A gamemaker file that includes the ability to create a small menu. The menu has a button to create windows (may create multiple). Each window creates a close_window button (forward and backward object links). Illustrates small gamemaker scripts. Window Demo
Lecture Nov 2 & 4	More with Torque, TBD, Team Meetings, Project Work. November 4 work/project day, no lecture.
Lecture Nov 9 & 11	More with Torque, TBD, Team Meetings, Project Work. Submission Format Suggestion
Presentations Nov 16 &18	Optional conference Presentations, Beta-Testing, Rehearsals + TBD
DGIC09	Major Extra-Credit Presentation Opportunity! Optional Conference Presentation can also count as your final exam. Game Design Conference, Nov 20-21
Lecture Nov 23 &25	More with Torque, TBD, Beta-Testing of Final Project.
Lecture Nov 30 & Dec 2	Final Project Demonstrations. Last week of Classes