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CS 395 -- Game Authoring Tools |
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Course description: |
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MSCIS 395/485 is an advanced seminar course and programming lab covering the topic of computer games. It serves as an introduction to the research in the field of computer games and emphasizes a hands-on development of games. Students will review current trends in computer game programming and build their own 2D and 3D games on top of available game engines. Additionally, this class will cover building games for multiple devices, such as cellphones, PDAs such as the Pocket PC, as well as desktop and laptop PCs. The class is taught using modern languages (C++), operating systems (Windows), and tools.
Upon completion of this course, the student will:
- Be familiar current trends in computer game creation
- Understand how to target games for multiple devices
- Understand art and design principles for developing usable and engaging games (social concepts)
- Learn to use current tools such as graphics and game engines to build interactive scenes populated with character, cameras, and lights (technical concepts)
- Implemented their own 2D and 3D game
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Text Books: |
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Game Design Workshop
Designing, Prototyping, and Playtesting Games
Tracy Fullerton, Christopher Swain and Steven Hoffman
-> Required
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Grading: |
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| Your final grade will be based on:
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70%* |
Projects (three over the quarter)
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10%*
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Quizzes, dates TBA |
20%* |
Class Participation and Attendance |
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A 90-100%
B 80-89%
C 70-79%
D 60-69%
F <60% |
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Plus and minus scores will be assigned at the high and
low ends of each of these ranges at the instructor's discretion.
(No A+ or D-) |
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Projects: |
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Projects will be posted weekly to
the course website. |
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Late projects will be penalized 25% for each day that
they are late (including Saturday and Sunday) and under
no circumstances will they be accepted more than three days
late. |
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Each student is given 48 hours of penalty-free lateness towards projects
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Redo: Each student will have the ability to
resubmit up two projects for upto 60% on the
points they missed. Redo projects must be
submitted with the words "Regrade Project X" in the
subject line, in addition to including the orignal
grading sheet with the word "REGRADE" next to any
points you want to be regraded.
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Quizzes |
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You must take quizzes during the
scheduled time period. Make-ups will be given only in
case of a serious emergency, in which case the emergency
must be documented. If you anticipate a scheduling conflict,
notify me at least a week in advance of the conflict.
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Each student may miss one quiz penalty free (ie drop lowest quize score)
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Attendance: |
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Since this is primarily a hands-on class, attendance
is mandatory. However, if you are absent from class, you
are responsible for understanding the material and for
finding out about any announcements made in that class.
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Each student may miss one class without loosing participation/attendance points.
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Plagiarism: |
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The university and school policy
on plagiarism can be summarized as follows: Students in
this course, as well as all other courses in which independent
research or writing play a vital part in the course requirements
should be aware of the strong sanctions that can be imposed
against someone guilty of plagiarism. If proven, a charge
of plagiarism could result in an automatic F in the course
and possible expulsion. The strongest of sanctions will
be imposed on anyone who submits as his/her own work a
report, examination paper, computer file, lab report,
or other assignment which has been prepared by someone
else. If you have any questions or doubts about what plagiarism
entails or how to properly acknowledge source materials
be sure to consult the instructor. |
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Incompletes: |
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An incomplete grade is given only for an exceptional
reason such as a death in the family, a serious illness,
etc. Any such reason must be documented. Any incomplete
request must be made at least two weeks before the final,
and approved by the Dean of the School of Computer Science,
Telecommunications and Information Systems. Any consequences
resulting from a poor grade for the course will not be
considered as valid reasons for such a request. |
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