An Introduction to Building Computer/Video Games

Catalog description

An interdisciplinary course that introduces students to process and techniques involved in developing a video or computer game. HCDD 446 An Introduction to Building Computer/Video Games (3) The course is project driven. Students will form teams and collaborate with one another to develop an interactive immersive experience. During the course, students will be exposed to several techniques for building graphical 3D worlds, animating characters, moving the camera and lights in real-time, and building intelligent characters (using state machine-based architectures). They will also learn different techniques of interactive storytelling, such as linear narrative, branching narrative, and adaptive narrative. Furthermore, they will be introduced to several tools that will aid in realizing their own projects and ideas, such as graphic engines (e.g. Wildtangent), and game engines (e.g. Unreal Tournament).The course is heavily project driven. Students will, in the first half of the course, learn the tools used in the development of interactive 3D environments. They will submit 2 individual assignments using these tools to develop a simple interactive environment. These individual assignments will be graded and critiqued.In the second half of the course, students will work on a game idea from generation to actual implementation. Students will be grouped in teams of three to develop a project, integrating concepts they learned through the class. They will use one or more of the tools they learned to build this project. Projects will be continuously evaluated and critiqued during game tuning sessions. In addition, projects will be formally evaluated through two prototypes that are critiqued by the class and the instructor. The students will continuously revise their designs and projects through the semester. The final version of the system is due by the end of the semester.