CLASS NOTES:
GD100 Introduction To Game Programming
  
 

 
SAMPLE SYLLABUS! (For reference only - not an official syllabus.)
  
 
OVERVIEW:
  

4/1/04

MINNESOTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS GLOBE COLLEGE TECHNICAL COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE NUMBER: GD100 COURSE TITLE: INTRODUCTION TO GAME PROGRAMMING
COURSE LENGTH: 12 WEEKS CREDIT HOURS: 3
PREREQUISITES: NT105 CONTACT HOURS: 50 (LECTURE 10/ LAB 40)
TEXT: GAME ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN: A NEW EDITION, by Andrew Rollings & David Morris
New Riders Publishing 2004. ISBN: 0-7357-1363-4

 

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will teach students the fundamentals of game design and master design documents. The areas of study will include design issues, introduction to game programming, and level design. The course will also cover fundamental production and post-production techniques.

OBJECTIVES: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

  
 
1.
 To gain a fundamental understanding of the design of games.  
 
2.
 Gain an understanding of master design documents.  
 
3.
 Evaluate the basic process of creating a game.  
 
4.
 Demonstrate an understanding of programming theory.  
 
5.
 Display an understanding of game and level design.  
 
6.
 Identify and discuss game genres and playing perspectives.  
 
7.
 Use skills gained in the course to effectively present a prototype game.  

 
COURSE OUTLINE
  
 
Topic(s) and Class Activities
Required Reading
  
 
Week #1
What is a game and where does one come from?
p35-53: What a game is
  
 
Week #2
Introduction to GameMaker
p3-16: generating ideas
  
 
Week #3
2D Action Game Development with GameMaker
p480-494: tokens
  
 
Week #4
Introduction to "Scrolling Game Development Kit"
p495-509: states
  
 
Week #5
2D Platform Game Development with "SGDK"
p542-557: oo objects
  
 
Week #6
Introduction to Game Studio A6
p625-636: Architecture
  
 
Week #7
3D Action Game Development
p561 Patterns 1,2,3,8,12
  
 
Week #8
Final Project Ideas & Tool Choices
p16-34: Idea Eval.
  
 
Week #9
Advanced Game Maker
p674-686: Dos/Dont's
  
 
Week #10
Advanced Scrolling Game Development Kit
p433-455: History
  
 
Week #11
Advanced Game Studio A6
p747-762: Future
  
 
Week #12
Final Project Presentations
None
  

EVALUATION METHODS AND GRADE SCALE:

  Participation and Quizzes 200 Points
  Assignments & Journals 200 Points
  Final Project 200 Points
     
  Total Points 600 Points

ATTENDANCE POLICY:
Excellent attendance is necessary to earn a passing grade in this class. Attendance will be taken promptly at the beginning of each class, and will be updated as necessary until the end of each class

  6 hours of absences (or more) will result in a grade drop of one letter grade.
10 hours of absence (or more) will result in a failing grade.		  

PARTICIPATION AND QUIZZES:
Students will be awarded for their good attendance and participation in class. Up to 4 points will be awarded each day for
1) attending class, 2) being ready to start class on time, and 3) actively participating in class. There will also be 6 pop quizzes throughout this course that are worth 20 points each. Each quiz will cover material from both lectures and assigned reading. (Note there are actually 16 points of extra credit possible here.)

ASSIGNMENTS:
There will be 4 20-point assignments that each student will need to complete to pass the class. Late assignments will be accepted until the last day of the class, and will be penalized by 15% of the points possible for each elapsed day of instruction. (ie. 1 week late will result in a 30% penalty.)

JOURNALS:
Every student will submit 2 game ideas per week in journal form (worth 5 points each). Journals should be submitted by e-mail to gdahl@msbcollege.edu and are due by 11:59 pm every Friday. Each journal should describe a novel game idea, and why it would be an interesting, fun, or worthwhile game to actually develop.

FINAL PROJECTS:
The final project for each student will be a novel computer game that is developed using one of the tools studied in the class. The grade for this project will be based on: 1) weekly process and progress evaluaitons, 2) final presentation, 3) final game quality, and
4) the demonstrated mastery of course material and concepts.

 

 

     
 
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