How To Design A Game Design Program

Transcription

1 Host a ProjectFUN Workshop Heidi Munoz DigiPen Institute of Technology th Avenue N.E. Redmond, Washington, U.S.A Phone (425) workshops.digipen.edu

2 Table of Contents An Overview of ProjectFUN TM Workshops Page 3 About DigiPen Institute of Technology Page 4 DigiPen ProjectFUN TM Workshop Course Descriptions Page 6 Junior Game Design Workshop Page 7 Video Game Programming Workshop Page 8 3D Animation Workshop Page 9 Hosting DigiPen ProjectFUN TM Workshops Page 10 DigiPen Outreach Partnerships Page 11 What DigiPen Provides Page 11 What Your Organization Provides Page 12 Costs Page 13

3 An Overview of ProjectFUN TM Workshops For the past fifteen years, DigiPen has offered students, particularly those at the high school level, the opportunity to participate in its two-week ProjectFUN TM Summer Workshop Program. In past summers, over 1,000 students have participated in one or more of the following Workshops offered: Onsite Workshops- Available only at DigiPen s Main Campus in Redmond, WA: Video Game Programming Level 1, Level 2, Level 3 3D Computer Animation Level 1, Level 2 Junior Game Design Level 1 (Grades 5-7) Junior Animation- Level 1 (Grades 5-7) Robotics Host Site Workshops Available: Video Game Programming Level 1 (Grades 8 and higher) 3D Computer Animation Level 1 (Grades 8 and higher) Junior Game Design Level 1 (Grades 5-7) Academically, these popular workshops have been successful in helping students develop problem-solving skills and enhance their thinking processes. In addition, students discover the role of mathematics, physics, art, and the importance of the integration of these academic topics in the field of software engineering. The hands-on approach of the workshops combines academics with real-world applications culminating in the completion of a video game, 3D animation or robotic vehicle. The completion of their project promotes personal responsibility while introducing students to production processes used by the industry. DigiPen s workshops are offered at various public schools in Washington State and are sponsored by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI). As part of an expanded outreach effort, DigiPen is seeking partnerships with high schools, colleges, and organizations to bring the fun of digital entertainment to students at their location. Over the past few years, DigiPen has developed successful partnerships with area high schools, the Boys & Girls Club, the National Urban League, and the YMCA.

4 About DigiPen Institute of Technology DigiPen Institute of Technology was established in Redmond, Washington in Authorized by the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board, accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology, and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, DigiPen offers the Workshop Program in addition to the following degree programs: Department of Science Bachelor of Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation This four-year degree program covers concepts of mathematics, physics, graphics, computer science, design, and development of interactive simulations. Students completing this degree will be prepared to begin work in the computer and video game industry as an intermediate-level programmer. Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering With the prevalence of embedded electronic systems in everything from game systems to microwaves, the demand for skilled workers in this field continues to grow. The focus of this four-year degree program is on the development of technical knowledge and skills for working with these electronic systems. Bachelor of Science in Game Design The four year degree program will prepare graduates to design electronic and digital entertainment, to be able to program computer software, design, build and use computer tools and a variety of computer languages. Graduates will be well versed in game design theory, art history, world history, societies, economics, game design, level design, and artificial intelligence design. These students can become technical game designers with the skills necessary to design levels, program, script, and work in this dynamic field.

5 Master of Science of Computer Science This graduate degree program provides an opportunity for students to expand their knowledge of academic fundamentals in 3D computer graphics. Combined with related training in computer science, mathematics, and physics, this degree focuses on advanced areas of 3D computer graphics, animation and modeling techniques, artificial intelligence algorithms, image processing, and real-time rendering. Department of Art Bachelor of Fine Arts in Production Animation This degree prepares graduates for a career in digital 3D animation, digital 2D animation, and animation pre-production. Students in the B.F.A. program receive a broad and integrated foundation of theoretical, practical, and technical skills in production animation, traditional art, modern computer software, and media story flow. Bachelor of Arts in Game Design This degree program prepares graduates to design electronic and digital entertainment, to be able to create level art, world art, backgrounds, models, textures and architecture. Graduates will be well versed in game design theory, art history, world history, societies, economics, game design, level design, artificial intelligence design and general art skills.

6 DigiPen ProjectFUN Workshop Course Overviews

7 Junior Game Design Workshop Overview- (Grades 5-7) DigiPen offers a unique opportunity for middle school students, to learn about the game development process. This hands-on workshop is a fun course for young students to understand some of the creative and technical issues involved with creating a video game. It also emphasizes the importance of core academic subjects such as math, science and art. Students of the DigiPen Junior Game Design Workshops benefit from the following: Topics presented include: oan overview of the video game design process ogame loop concepts omouse and keyboard input oanimation oobject behaviors Software Used: DigiPen utilizes a powerful piece of proprietary software called ProjectFUN TM, providing a suite of tools to facilitate the beginning of the game design process.

8 Video Game Programming Workshop Overview- (Grades 8 and above) DigiPen s use of video games has proven to be a successful tool to teach students concepts in the areas of Mathematics, Science, Art, and Engineering. The classes motivate and fully absorb students because the academic subjects are taught by teaching them how to make a video game a subject in which they are already very interested. Students of the DigiPen Video Game Programming Workshop benefit from the following: Learning abstract topics such as programming. Applying abstract concepts studied in school to a real-life experience. This is done by allowing workshop students to apply their new knowledge towards the development of a real product while overcoming obstacles in a fun game environment. An emphasis on the Stay-in-School message by encouraging the study of mathematics, computer science, physics, and art. Software Used: DigiPen utilizes a powerful piece of proprietary software called ProjectFUN TM, providing a suite of tools to facilitate learning programming and game making. ProjectFUN TM calls on complex game programming functions, which allow beginning students to manipulate different components of a game and see how it affects a game s properties. While the software acts as a user-friendly interface, it is able to show students the specific programming code behind the game functions; as students become more familiar with programming, they can begin to utilize their own code to handle game functions. Ultimately, DigiPen s use of ProjectFUN TM in the workshops creates a situation where these novice programmers can jump into the gamemaking process early on. DigiPen provides ProjectFUN software at no additional cost for the host site.

9 3D Computer Animation Workshop Overview- (Grades 8 and above) Worldwide commercial 3D computer animation is a multi-billion dollar industry, and is utilized everywhere in the entertainment industry, from video games to Hollywood films. DigiPen s 3D Animation Summer Workshops provide students with an opportunity to understand what it takes to be an artist in this industry. During the workshops students learn that the quality of work expected in this industry requires a high degree of artistic skill in combination with technical competence in digital graphics software. The compelling nature of 3D computer animation combined with DigiPen s curriculum engages students with the material. Students of the DigiPen 3D Animation Summer Workshops benefit from the following: Learning modeling, animation and rendering techniques using 3D computer animation software. Applying these creative concepts to reallife experience in animation production. An emphasis on the "Stay-in-School" message with students being encouraged to study courses that improve content creation skills such as art, drama, graphic design, photography, film/video production, music, and literature. Software Used: 3D Studio Max

10 Host Site Frequently Asked Questions: 1. What is the length of the Workshop? Each Workshop is two weeks long, 5 days per week, and six hours per day, for a total of 60 hours. 2. What is the minimum amount of students required? A minimum of 20 students is required; class size can be as large as 30 students. Should your school choose to offer this workshop, DigiPen will strive to make it as easy as possible to set-up. 3. What does DigiPen provide the Host? DigiPen will provide the following: Instructor(s) and Teaching Assistant(s) for one or more sessions (travel and accommodation costs are included) ProjectFUN TM Software and Authenticator (for the duration of the workshop) for Video Game Programming Workshops Workbooks for each student Promotional materials, including posters for the school to post as well as flyers for students and parents T-shirts for participants ProjectFUN TM Club Membership for 1 year for all students who participate in the Video Game Programming Workshops Software Requirements for the Video Game Programming Workshops: ocompiler Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0, Visual Studio.net, Borland C++ Builder 6.0, or Borland Free Command Line Tools Software Requirements for the 3D Animation Workshops: 3D Animation Software Autodesk 3D Studio Max 4. What does the Host provide DigiPen? In order to host a Workshop, the school will need to provide the following: A computer lab with networked computers including a teacher s computer equipped with a CD-ROM burner and able to project the teacher s computer screen

11 DigiPen will also need a computer technician to be available for the duration of the workshop for tech support as well as a set-up period before the workshop commences. 5. What are the host sites minimum PC specifications for all workshops? Minimum PC Specifications: ocpu P3-333Mhz or comparable AMD Athlon oram 256MB ovideocard 16MB VRAM osoundcard Soundblaster series ohard Drive 2GB with approximately 512MB available for installation of all the required software, including some space for game creation content. omonitor 15 or 1024x768, 16/32bit preferred ooperating System Windows 2000, or XP (with Direct X 8.x) o2d Paint Software MS Paint, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or any other package that can output Windows bitmap (.BMP) files ocompiler Microsoft Visual C++ 6.0, Visual Studio.NET, Borland C++ Builder 6.0, or Borland Free Command Line Tools ospeakers or Headphones Software Requirements for the 3D Animation Workshops: o2d Paint Software MS Paint, Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro or any other package that can output Windows bitmap (.BMP) files ooperating System Windows 2000, or XP (with direct X 8.x) o3d Animation Software Autodesk 3D Studio Max (Versions 7-9 approved)

12 COSTS The overall fee for Workshops is determined on a cost per student basis. The fee structure per workshop might work as follows: Junior Game Developer Workshop (2 weeks, 60 hrs) Differs per location/student Level 1 Video Game Programming Workshop (2 weeks, 60 hrs) Differs per location/student Level 1 3D Computer Animation Workshop (2 weeks, 60 hrs) Differs per location/student Level 1 *Costs can be negotiated to meet the school/organization needs.

13 DigiPen Partnerships In the summer of 2003, DigiPen and various hosting locations were able to provide the DigiPen Workshops to nearly 1,000 students, and DigiPen has since continued to work with partner organizations across the U.S. The Workshops have proved to be a valuable tool for schools to become more involved with their community, generate awareness for their programs, and provide new revenue streams. DigiPen has even participated in offering workshops towards targeted audiences such as an all-female student class, helping hosting sites obtain special grants to offset tuition costs. Some of our partners have included: Seattle Center Academy Greater Urban League of Pittsburgh Salmon Arms, Canada Thompson Rivers University, Canada Greater Urban League of Hampton Roads, Virginia Pacific Science Center Seattle Urban League Puget Sound Skill Center North Olympic Skill Center Juneau Economic Development Council Urban League of Columbia, South Carolina Ultimately, DigiPen is interested in expanding on the past successes in establishing more partnership opportunities with schools interested in developing their youth programs.