GAM 100

Project Introduction (3 Cr.)

Concurrent Courses: None

Description: This class presents an overview of the way the game development industry works and a history of game development. It will expose students to the positions and job responsibilities that each member of a game development team has along with the industry requirements for the creation of a game design document (GDD) and a technical design document (TDD). Over the course of the semester, the instructor will organize students into teams responsible for designing and developing text-based games, complete with a functional GDD and TDD, schedule, and milestones. Additionally, each student will create individual games using the ProjectFUN game development environment created by DigiPen. Games created via ProjectFUN will be graphical in nature, serving to enhance the student’s retention of C/C++ coding techniques and math functions taught in the first semester CS and MAT classes.

GAM 150

Project I (3 Cr.)

Prerequisites: GAM 100, CS 120

Concurrent Courses: None

Description: Continuing with the teams to which they were assigned in GAM 100, each team will prepare a GDD and TDD for one team-based project. Teams will complete the approved game design according to the schedule they will establish in their technical design. They will present these completed games to the Institute during the final week of the semester. Additionally, each student will design and develop smaller projects using a variety of tools. These projects reinforce the game design and implementation curriculum.

GAM 200

GAM 250

Project II (4 Cr. Each)

Prerequisites (GAM 200): GAM 150, CS 170, CS 230, MAT 140/ Concurrent Courses (GAM 200): None

Prerequisites (GAM 250): GAM 200, CS 225/ Concurrent Courses (GAM 250): CS 200

Description: This project is divided into two semesters during which students design and implement a 2D scrolling game engine. Similar to Project I, they start by writing a Game Design Document and a Technical Design Document. Along with creating a scrolling engine, students will also explore multiplayer functionality within conventional games, sound, and music as it affects game design for a multiplayer environment. Additionally, students will explore basic enemy programming and level design while learning to work in a team environment.

GAM 240

Intermediary Game Project I (5 Cr.)

Prerequisites: BS in Computer Science with knowledge of C++, permission of instructor

Description: This course focuses on the game production cycle in theory and in practice. Course lectures will cover the entire production cycle of a game – from pre-production documentation, to tool creation and coding, to marketing the finished project. In addition, students will form into three- to four-member teams to create a 2D or 3D simulation game on the PC. Topics include game design theory, project management, Windows gaming environment, and user interface implementation. During the course, each team will complete a pitch presentation (to be presented to the faculty), Game Design Document, a Technical Design Document, and a first-playable prototype. The project and marketing campaign will be completed in GAM 340.

GAM 300

GAM 350

Project III (5 Cr. Each)

Prerequisites (GAM 300): GAM 250, CS 200, CS 260, CS 280, PHY 200 Prerequisites (GAM 350): GAM 300

Concurrent Courses (GAM 300): None Concurrent Courses (GAM 350): CS 250

Description: This project is divided into two semesters and focuses on the programming of a simulation- type game, complete with artificial intelligence, networking, and physics. Given the complexities and nuances of a simulation, ideally the teams will remain together for the entire year to work on a specific form of simulation (sport, vehicle, or city management). A large component of this class will be focused on AI-related research and the requirements for AI in games from a simulation perspective. Also, since real-game and real-life physics will be required to be modeled in the projects, this course will cover an understanding of what this entails. Additionally, students will learn about networking up to eight players on a LAN.

GAM 340

Intermediary Game Project II (5 Cr.)

Prerequisites: GAM 240, permission of instructor

Description: At the completion of the GAM 340 project, student teams will have a fully functional game/simulation including manual and marketing material. Topics will cover the business side of the game industry and the marketing of games. Teams will present their projects in pre-beta version to focus groups and present analyses of their responses. Successful completion of the project will require a comprehensive marketing plan and game packaging materials (box, manual, and sell sheet). At the completion of the project, the team will be required to generate a postmortem suitable for submission to an online game development site.

GAM 390

GAM 490

Internship I/II (5 Cr.)

Prerequisites: GAM 200, GAM 250, GAM 300

Description: An internship is any carefully monitored work or service experience in which an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what she or he is learning throughout the experience. It is usually a professional activity under general supervision of an experienced professional and in a job situation, which places a high degree of responsibility on the student. Internships are well structured along the Internship Guidelines available in the Administration Office.

GAM 400

GAM 450

Project IV (5 Cr. Each)

Prerequisites (GAM 400): GAM 350, CS 250/ Concurrent Courses (GAM 400): GAT 300

Prerequisites (GAM 450): GAM 400, GAT 300, MAT300/ Concurrent Courses (GAM 450): None

Description: This is a two-semester project, with a focus on PC-based 3D games. This course will cover the requirements of modeling in a 3D (as opposed to sprite-based) game. Students will work in teams to design and develop a fully functional 3D game or simulation. These projects should include an AI, physics, and networking. Course topics will range from creating a 3D game, to working on job and interview skills, to Web site design for promotional purposes of the students and of the game itself. 3D games push the student to manage their memory effectively in order to sustain a high frame rate for polygonal animation. The course may cover advanced techniques such as pixel shading.

GAM 550

Game Project I (3 Cr.)

Prerequisites: B.S. in Computer Science or related field of study, permission of instructor

Description: This course challenges students to research the latest techniques in game design and technology and apply their findings in a 3D game/simulation. Students will investigate issues in 3D techniques, artificial intelligence, and “next generation” game console architecture as well as such advanced game design issues as massively multi-player “persistent worlds,” input/GUI theory and design, and advanced simulation theory and applications. Students will report their results to the class and present a pitch paper for a product that incorporates their findings both to the class and a faculty review board. Students will then create a Game Design Document and Technical Design Document for the approved project. Depending on the scope of their projects, students will work individually or on teams. By the end of the semester, students should complete a prototype of their game/simulation.

GAM 551

Game Project II (3 Cr.)

Prerequisite: GAM 550

Description: At the completion of the GAM 551 project, students will have a fully functional game/simulation including manual and marketing material. Topics in this course will include advanced team leadership skills, short-term project budgeting and long-term financial planning, and legal issues related to the game industry. Teams will present their projects in pre-beta version to focus groups and analyze their responses. Successful completion of the project will require a FLASH/XML/multimedia presentation of the finished title and a marketing plan to a creative board. At the completion of the project, the team will generate a postmortem suitable for submission to an online game development site.