MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS COURSE OUTLINE COURSE TITLE: Video Game Design COURSE NUMBER: 03810 RECOMMENDED GRADE LEVEL: 10-12 ABILITY LEVEL: Unsectioned DURATION: 2 semesters CREDIT: 5 units per semester GRADING FORMAT: Standard MEETS GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS: Practical Arts and/or Computer Literacy REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION: No CBEDS CODE: 2458 MEETS UC AND CSU ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: No CREDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Computers or Des. Subject in Information Technology Course Description: This course will introduce students to the video game design industry. Students will learn state-of-the art computer game theory, computer programming and scripting languages, graphic design, 3d modeling and texture mapping, and character creation, using the latest in industry standard software and game software development kits. Students will also gain career preparation skills by working in teams to develop a working game. This course also gives the student the opportunity to acquire the technical knowledge and requisite skills needed for successful entry level employment in: Game Programming, 3D Modeling/Animation, Level Design, Game Engine Programming, Graphic Design, and Project Management. The contents of this course can also be linked to the School to Career programs and can be used to develop career pathways for students. Prerequisites: Geometry or higher mathematics and a passion for video games. Recommended Prerequisites: Introduction to Structured Programming, Video Arts & Production, Multimedia, or teacher approval. Date Matched Against State Framework, Model Curriculum Standards, and State Curriculum Guides: Board Approved: January 20, 2009 REQUIRED TEXTBOOK (Title, publisher, year): XNA 3.0 Game Programming Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (Paperback, 700 pages), Grootjans, Riemer, Apress, March, 2009. ISBN: 978-1430218562, (or latest edition).
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS REQUIRED TEXT(S): XNA 3.0 Game Programming Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach (Paperback, 700 pages), Groojans, Riemer, Apress, March, 2009. ISBN: 978-1430218562, (or latest edition). As game development technologies are being updated at an alarming rate, it may be necessary to replace this book or have additional books approved as they become available. This way the students can continue to learn current cutting edge skills necessary for employment and keeping up with the latest industry trends and standards. SOFTWARE: Latest editions of: o Programming Microsoft Visual Studio Microsoft DirectX SDK (free download from Microsoft) Microsoft XNA Game Studio (free download from Microsoft) o 2D/3D Graphics: Photoshop (2d graphics/textures) Poser or Daz Studio (character creation) Bryce (landscapes/basic 3d modeling) 3D Studio Max/Maya (modeling/level design) Adobe Flash (2d animation programming) o Animation/Video: Adobe Premiere (video) Adobe Ultra (color keying) Adobe After Effects (animation) o Digital Audio: Adobe Audition Software needs may vary and/or change according to availability of funding, licensing, Software availability, and keeping up with industry trends/standards. There are also a Number of other software programs and toolkits available which can aid with development (too numerous to list). SUPPLEMENTARY SOFTWARE: Latest editions of : o Game Development Software: 2D: GameMaker (www.gamemaker.nl) 3D:
3D Game Studio (www.3dgamestudio.com) SUPPLEMENTARY TEXT(S): Creating Your World: The Official Guide to Advanced Content Creation for Second Life, Sybex, Customer Care Center, 10475 Crosspoint Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46256, ISBN #978-0-470-17114-1 Online tutorials, and projects created by Instructor
SUMMARY OF MAJOR UNITS OF INSTRUCTION Approximate Length of Instruction for Each Unit (weeks) Units 1. Visual Studio/Programming Languages 5 Visual Studio C#/C++/Visual Basic and/or other current languages 2. 2D/3D Graphics, Video, & Animation 10 3. 2D/3D Game Programming 21 Graphics Input Audio Media Networking Level Design Game Engine Physics Artificial Intelligence Scripting Total number of weeks 36 The amount of time indicated for any one unit and the application used may vary accordingly to the needs of the students.
Video Game Design 1.0 GOAL: Students will develop the career skills necessary to succeed in a game design career: 1.1 Understand the importance of the team approach and deadlines to the success of a project. 1.2 Begin to develop critical thinking, analytical, problem-solving, and management skills needed for game design careers. 1.3 Learn to manage time and individual/team responsibilities effectively. 1.4 Awareness of career opportunities and an understanding of job prerequisites in this field. 1.5 Gain an understanding of the roles and responsibilities of game development team members. 1.6 Ability to work independently, and as a member of a team, to see a project through from concept to completion. 2.0 GOAL: Students will understand the history of electronic gaming, platforms, genres, and markets: 2.1 Identify major milestones in the evolution of games and understand the causes of these changes and their impact on the industry. 2.2 Identify the components and features that make a good game. 2.3 Understand game genres, sub-genres, content, playability and marketability. 2.4 Be able to deconstruct story and game play for existing games in order to understand the interdependent relationship between the two concepts and their creative origins. 2.5 Develop an original game idea or concept and design a proposal to pitch the concept.
3.0 GOAL: Students will create 2D/3D games using industry standards: 3.1 Use elements of theory, symmetry, and strategy, to create the game s basic rules, challenges and strategies. 3.2 Gain technical knowledge of game development software components and tools. 3.3 Gain technical knowledge of the underlying programming involved in game design by working with the latest programming and scripting languages. 3.4 Learn to use 2D & 3D graphics software to create objects, textures, characters, and level environments. 3.5 Learn 2D & 3D graphics programming concepts including the use of images, textures, sprites, vertices, meshes, billboarding, shaders, lighting, and alpha blending. 3.6 Gain technical knowledge of the way computers and console systems handle input through the use of the mouse, keyboard, controller, or other input devices. 3.7 Learn audio programming concepts including: playing sounds from files or resources in various formats, playing multiple sounds simultaneously, locating sounds in a customizable 3D environment, adding effects such as echo and chorus, and changing effect parameters dynamically. 3.8 Learn how to use various other media types such as voice and video to enhance the user experience and story-telling components of a game. 3.9 Learn how to create network capable games. 3.10 Gain an understanding of artificial intelligence and physics and the role these components play in video games. 3.11 Create a 2D game prototype. 3.12 Create a working prototype of a 3-D interactive video game. 4.0 GOAL: Students will learn career preparation techniques: 4.1 Understand how personal skill development affects their employability.
They will exhibit positive attitudes, self-confidence, honesty, perseverance, and self-discipline. They will manage time and balance priorities. 4.2 Understand key concepts in group dynamics, conflict resolution, and negotiation. They will work cooperatively, share responsibilities, accept supervision, and assume leadership roles. They will demonstrate cooperative working relationships across gender and cultural groups. 4.3 Exhibit critical thinking skills, logical reasoning, and problem solving. They will apply numerical estimation, measurement, and calculation, as appropriate. They will recognize problem situations; identify, locate, and organize needed information or data; and propose, evaluate, and select from alternative solutions. 4.4 Understand principles of effective communication. They will communicate both orally and in writing. They will listen attentively and follow instructions, requesting clarification or additional information as needed. 4.5 Understand occupational safety issues including the avoidance of physical hazards in the work environment. They will operate equipment safely so as not to endanger themselves or others. 4.6 Understand and adapt to changing technology by identifying, learning, and applying new skills to improve performance. They will effectively employ technologies relevant to their fields.
MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS TEXTBOOK ADOPTION NAME OF BOOK: XNA 3.0 Game Programming Recipes: A Problem-Solution Approach, (or latest edition) (Paperback, 700 pages AUTHOR(S): PUBLISHER: Riemer Grootjans Apress COPYRIGHT DATE: March, 2009 ISBN #: 978-1430218562 PRICE: DEPARTMENT: CLASS: $26.39 (Amazon.com) Industrial Technology Video Game Design GENERAL DESCRIPTION: This title covers virtually every feature of the XNA 3.0 Framework. It focuses primarily on 2D and 3D graphics programming, but other game programming features such as audio playback, networking, and mobile gaming are also discussed in detail. These are some of the topics that are being covered in depth: How to create 2D graphics; 3D rendering techniques at various levels of difficulty; Creating games for the Zune mobile device; Loading, rendering, and animating 3D models; How to read input devices: keyboard, mouse, and Xbox 360 Controller; Using audio to spice up your game; Adding networking to your game to challenge your friends: Architectural XNA features, such as Game Components; the content pipeline: one of the three major components in XNA game development; and a whole list of HLSL techniques. ASSURANCE OF SOCIAL APPROPRIATENESS: The selection committee has determined that the materials comply with the State of California Standards for Evaluation of Instructional Materials with Respect to Social Content. APPROVED BY: Selection Committee: Brad Cornwell, Ronna Rutishauser, Randy Fillpot Curriculum Area Chairperson Randy Fillpot Director, Academic Learning Community A, K-12