Introduction to Computer Game Design and Development
Fall 2008
Home Contact Syllabus Outline Project	Syllabus Syllabus Handout Course: ITCS 4230/5230 Section 091 "Introduction to Game Design and Development" Mon/Wed 5-6:15 pm Woodward 130 Instructor: Tiffany Barnes Office: Woodward 403E, Phone 687-8577 Hours: Wednesday 3-4 pm, and by appointment Email: tbarnes2@uncc.edu Teaching Asst.: Amanda Chaffin Office: Woodward 453 Hours: TBA Textbook: Introduction to Game Development Edited by: Steve Rabin ISBN: 1-58450-377-7 Charles River Media, May 2008 Game Design Workshop: Designing, Prototyping, and Playtesting Games (Paperback), Tracy Fullerton, Christopher Swain, Steven Hoffman Software: XNA GameStudio Emails: The class email list has been set up at http://groups.google.com/group/GameDesignUNCC/, and members can email GameDesignUNCC@googlegroups.com. Grading: Approximately 3-5 assignments emphasize learning the basic elements of game design, while 2-4 quizzes assess reading of course reading materials. The project, a team implementation of a complete video game, includes evaluation of the game as well as one or more presentations in the course of the game design. Attendance and participation are required in class. For each absence beyond the third absence, 5 points may be deducted from a student's overall grade. A standard 10-point grading scale will be used for the class (A: 90-100, B: 80-90, ...). For credit in the graduate version of the course, graduate students must: 1) complete all assignments, 2) prepare and lead one class discussion, and 3) incorporate and demonstrate a significant portion of original scripting or programming in the final project. Assignments will also include additional exercises required for graduate students. Below is presented the weight of the different course components toward your final grade. Component    Weight Assignments/Quizzes   50% Project   50% Topics: History of video games, game genres The games industry Theory of funativity: what is fun? Game design teams and processes Level design Modeling Human-computer interaction (HCI) & interface design Computer graphics, collision detection, lighting, and animation Game scripting and programming Game data structures and algorithms Artificial intelligence Play testing