Introduction to Game Development. SE3250 Jay Urbain

Transcription

1 Introduction to Game Development SE3250 Jay Urbain

2 Introduction to Game Development Jay Urbain, Ph.D. Office: L-333 Office hours people.msoe.edu/~urbain posted, but feel free to stop by anytime. Cell: Course web site: people.msoe.edu/~urbain/se3250 Course outline: people.msoe.edu/~urbain/se3250/outline.html 2

3 Prequisites Official: SE2851 Data Structures Other useful courses for gaming: CS4881 AI CS421 Advanced Computer Graphics CS385 Algorithms Very interdisciplinary field beyond computer science topics. Most important interest, desire to learn! 3

4 IGDA curriculum guidelines Critical Game Studies Games and Society Game Design (also game conception!) Game Programming Visual Design Audio Design Interactive Storytelling Game Production Business of Gaming 4

5 Course Learning Outcomes Describe an overview of the computer gaming industry Explain the basics of computer game design Describe the challenges associated with modern computer game design. Describe the applicability of advanced software engineering and computer science techniques to game development. Apply advanced software engineering and computer science techniques to problems associated with computer game development. Discuss issues related to computer games in the greater societal context. 5

6 Topics Introduction and history of computer gaming (1 class) Elements of fun and basic game design (2 classes) Game programming fundamentals (3 classes) Advanced game programming issues e.g. memory, sound, physics, graphics, AI (10 classes) Visual design (1 class) Game industry overview (1 class) Legal and ethical issues (2 classes) 6

7 Class participation Class participation is critical. Topic/discussion class format where everyone in class brings questions and shares knowledge. Complete assigned readings and review class topics prior to class. Everyone will present results/observations of assignments. Provide resources to the class Questions Demos games, development tools News Knowledge 7

8 Caveats Class will interpret gaming broadly. Topic broad and time is narrow! Topic and assignment flexibility based on class interests Game Design Tools Graphics AI Architectures Business Platforms (Web, console, cell phone) Genres (casual, mobile, MMOG, etc.) Serious gaming Using gaming for collective intelligence FoldIT Physical interaction Wii, Kinect 8

9 Grading Class Participation/Quizzes/Lab 20% Midterm 20% Final 30% Term Project 30% Total 100% As time allows, all assignments will be presented/discussed in class. Submit all assignments by as a single Zip file attachment. zip file name needs to include the class number, assignment name/number, and your name. When the zip file is uncompressed, all files/subdirectories should be contained within a directory with the same name as the zip file, i.e., class number, assignment name/number, and your name. 9

10 Game Development Meetings IGDA: Chicago IGDA Chapter: March 21st at 7pm Madison IGDA Chapter: May 3 meeting at 7pm Chicago ACM: Traditionally have at least one meeting dedicated to advanced gaming. Midwest Gaming Classic: Brookfield, WI. 10

11 Game Development Conferences 12th International Conference on Entertainment Computing (ICEC) September26-29, Bremen Germany Meaningful Play: Designing and Studying Games that Matter October 18-20, 2012 on the campus of Michigan State University International Game Developers Conference (March 5-9, San Francisco) - Game Design & Technology Workshop (England) ACM Siggraph 2012 August 5-9, LA AAAI 2012 July 22-26, Toronto 11

12 Game Development Conferences TEDx ASU West - Redefining Video Games - (Phoenix area) It is clear that video games have become a huge part of our world and have a tremendous influence in our society. Pioneers of the industry are redefining the medium. This event is showcasing the wide variety of thoughts, discussion and research from those pioneers. WindyCityGo WindyCityGo is Chicago's mobile developers conference where Android, ios, and mobile web developers will learn how to create better mobile apps and how to sell them effectively. Developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and investors all find value in WindyCityGo. 12

13 Hiring Companies Go to GDC - Metal Gear Solid studio Kojima Productions has big plans for GDC, as the company hopes to expand beyond Japan and staff up for a brand-new office in Northern California. The company is hiring in nearly all disciplines, spanning artists, engineers, designers, and more. - The social networking giant Facebook is looking to connect with the developers at GDC to help bolster its open platform and enhance its web and mobile services. Specifically, the company is looking for new engineers for mobile development and game partnerships. - Resistance studio Insomniac Games will exhibit at this year's Career Pavilion to find new staff to fuel its multiplatform projects and an upcoming Facebook title. The developer is seeking programmers, animators, artists, and more. 13

14 Hiring Companies Go to GDC - The Santa Monica-based Riot Games has seen great success with its action strategy game League of Legends, and the studio now aims to be "the most player-focused company in the world." At GDC 2012, the studio hopes to fill positions for both engineers and producers. - Major publisher Ubisoft operates a full 26 studios around the world, and the company is now offering a number of opportunities all over its numerous branches. Next week, Ubisoft hopes to hire new developers in for its offices in Singapore, Toronto, Montreal, and more. - The Berlin-based social giant Wooga will attend GDC to help grow its numerous online games and services. It's currently looking to hire a new product manager, game designer, ios engineers, game artists, and more. The above companies are just a small fraction of the exhibitors at this year's Career Pavilion. For more information on open positions or to see the full recruiter lineup, download the show's official recruitment brochure PDF, which will also be available in physical form on site. 14

15 Local Companies Madison Raven Software, Activision - Big Rooster - Human Head Studios - Chicago WMS Gaming Midway Games Gone! Wideload Games EA Chicago Closed! Day One Studios Incredible Technologies High Voltage Raw Thrills Play Mechanix Milwaukee Guild Software 15