COSC 360 - Computer Game Design   (2012 Summer School)

The course begins with its first lecture on Monday, January 9th 2012.

The Summer School paper is given by George Sealy, who you might not have seen around -- but he will introduce himself, and the course, in the first lecture ... and give you the first assignment which is due four days later!!

Schedule Overview   (rooms not finalised)

The lectures are in Owheo 206 (top floor, harbour side).
Lectures are 10-11am Mon-Thur.

The tutorials will be in G34 -- this room can also be used as a common room (it has a 'small kitchen').
Tutorials are held on Tuesday and Thursday, 2-3pm.

Mostly we'll be in the lab (G06 - Lab A), where we'll be writing code using Eclipse in a Windows 7 environment.
Coding will be in Java, using Slick libraries.
Labs are 3-5pm Mon-Thur.

Note that the assessment is subject to change, but is likely to consist in part on:

• Week 1 -- individual programming assignment
  This will allow you to become familiar with the environment.
• Also for the end of the first week -- but not directly assessed -- will be a "CV", where you describe the role you would like within the "games company" Cosc360. You can also tell us who you would like to (or not like to) work with on the main project.
• Week 2 -- will be working on 'brainstorming' possible ideas for your games, and creating simple prototypes to explore gameplay, and testing difficult game aspects to determine if they can be implemented in your game in the time allowed.
• Once you have the plan for your game -- that everyone in your group has a clear view of the end product, and is happy with the goal -- comes the development cycle of alpha and beta releases, before the final release. (Which is due just days before the final exam!)

Students wishing to take this course will need to have a strong background in computer programming. The prerequisite for this paper is COSC242 or equivalent, at the discretion of the department. If you are interested in taking this paper it is important to contact the course adviser for computer science as early as possible.

Textbook:

• Jesse Schell
  The Art of Game Design,
  Book webpage

This is a recommended (not required) textbook.

The nature of this paper

This is not an easy course. The computer games industry is very competitive and the work load is very high. This paper can only give an introduction to the field of computer game design and the reality of work in this area. We certainly do not suggest that graduates of this paper will walk into a job in the industry. Much like careers in music or art, it will be by a combination of skill and dedication that you will earn your place in a company. We will try to help you focus your efforts by learning appropriate skills and building a portfolio. It is by demonstrating your ability that you will succeed in an interview.