Course Details
Textbook
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Introduction to Game Design, Prototyping, and Development by Jeremy Gibson Ford , 2015 U-Michigan Ann Arbor Find this text on Amazon |
Overview
An introduction to recent tools and algorithms for building interactive games. Students will learn fundamental design mechanics and implement a substantial development project. Topics may include steering and flocking behaviors, path finding algorithms, finite state machines, behavior trees, alpha-beta pruning, Monte Carlo Tree Search, shaders, 3D modeling, animation, procedural content generation, and the intersection of games and society. Content varies according to the interests of the participants and instructor. Prerequisite: CSCI 151Disabilities
It is the policy of Hendrix College to accommodate students with disabilities, pursuant to federal and state law. Students should contact Julie Brown in the Office of Academic Success (505.2954; brownj@hendrix.edu) to begin the accommodation process. Any student seeking accommodation in relation to a recognized disability should inform the instructor at the beginning of the course.Academic Honor
Please refer to the CSCI Academic Integrity Policy.
Revisions
After lab assignments are returned, you are welcome to revise and resubmit your work. Each submitted revision will be graded anew, the original and revised grades will be averaged to produce a new grade for that assignment. Revisions may be submitted anytime until the start of the final exam period.
Extensions
No late work will be accepted. Any work not submitted on time is a zero. However, you may submit a solution after the deadline to qualify under the revision policy. In effect, this means that late work can earn up to half credit.
Participation and Absences
You are expected to attend class and participate in discussions every day, answering questions, asking questions, presenting material, etc.You may miss three class days with no penalty. These can be for sports travel, school sanctioned activities, sick, etc. You are expected to make up any work you miss through these absences. Every subsequent absence will result in a 4% penalty on your final grade.
Learning Goals
Syllabus
We will be using the textbook listed above along with supplemental material such as relevant web-pages for the course. Readings will be assigned before material will be covered in class. You are expected to review the material and come to class prepared. As readings are assigned, they will be posted here.Labs
Much of your experience with programming in this course will be through semi-weekly labs, which will comprise 35% of your final grade.
- Lab 1: Let's Play
- Lab 2: Breakpoint Songbird
- Lab 3: Chaos Broom River
- Lab 4: Confidence Tiger Star
- Lab 5: Liberty Ghost Train Skill Town Locket
- Lab 6: Bees Dying Alarming Rate
Presentations
You will be giving two individual presentations to the class.
- Pecha Kucha Game Cannon Argument
- Tool Demo for Game Creation
Project
Near the end of this semester, you will be participating in Ludum Dare 38, April 21 - 24, 2017, working in teams to create a game prototype, and then complete the semester by playtesting, analyzing and revising your game.
Grading
Your final grade for this course will be based on the Labs, Presentations, Project, and Participation described above.
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© Mark Goadrich, Hendrix College