Course Listings - Game Software Design and Production

The Game Software Design and Production Department (GAM 100-450) at DigiPen has been constructed to focus students’ skills in programming directly onto a project. During the first year, students are required to design their own individual games in the first semester and implement their designs in the second semester. Additionally, students begin to participate in team-based game development by working collaboratively in small groups during semester two on a team-based project. During years two through four, each student is required to participate as a team member on the creation of a two-semester practical project that demonstrates implementation of the concepts they have learned in their respective C.S. and math classes.

These projects are game-oriented productions that provide both an enjoyable outlet for students’ interests and an opportunity to gain practical experience in producing a large, complex, multi-threaded project.

• The upper-class projects must support single-player, multiple-player, or both. The development of a multiple-player game requires the understanding of subjects such as computer networks, TCP/IP, and Internet programming.
• Every game must react in real-time, though "turn-based" simulations in which the computer intelligence reacts in real-time are allowed. The implementation of such simulations requires a thorough knowledge of computer hardware and computer languages.
• Games are highly interactive, requiring an elaborate and efficient graphical user interface (GUI). The development of a GUI requires the management of windows, menus, dialog boxes, and hardware resources including keyboards, mice, and display monitors.
• Many of the projects required will be graphics-oriented simulations supporting the graphical programming knowledge for both two and three-dimensional simulations.
• The game must realistically reproduce or simulate natural phenomena and real-life events. Flight simulators are excellent examples of such simulations.
• Games are story-based simulations requiring a plot in which game objects must interact intelligently with each other. Therefore, in order to make games challenging and interesting, students must design and implement good artificial intelligence algorithms, which serve as the cognitive processes for the computer-controlled game objects.
• Today's games are large, complex productions that can take 18-24 months to complete. Teamwork is a critical requirement for the success of game production. The design and implementation of complex and practical projects help develop each student’s ability to successfully participate in a team for extended periods of time.

Students are divided into teams and are rigorously trained in object-oriented programming languages, paradigms, and software engineering techniques and practices. These collaborative efforts reinforce each student’s ability to work competently within a group while completing projects.

Links to courses offered by this Department:

• Game Software Design and Production
• Game Application Techniques