Introduction to Game Development

SE3250
Jay Urbain
Introduction to Game Development

Jay Urbain, Ph.D.

Office: L-333

Office hours – people.msoe.edu/~urbain posted, but feel free to
stop by anytime.

Cell: 414-745-5102

Email: urbain@msoe.edu

Course web site: people.msoe.edu/~urbain/se3250

Course outline: people.msoe.edu/~urbain/se3250/outline.html

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Prequisites

Official:

SE2851 – Data Structures

Other useful courses for gaming:

CS4881 – AI

CS421 – Advanced Computer Graphics

CS385 – Algorithms

Very interdisciplinary field – beyond computer
science topics.

Most important – interest, desire to learn!
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IGDA curriculum guidelines

• Critical Game Studies

• Games and Society

• Game Design (also game conception!)

• Game Programming

• Visual Design

• Audio Design

• Interactive Storytelling

• Game Production

• Business of Gaming

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 Course Learning Outcomes

Describe an overview of the computer gaming industry

Explain the basics of computer game design

Describe the challenges associated with modern computer game design.

Describe the applicability of advanced software engineering and
computer science techniques to game development.

Apply advanced software engineering and computer science techniques
to problems associated with computer game development.

Discuss issues related to computer games in the greater societal context.

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Topics

Introduction and history of computer gaming (1 class)

Elements of fun and basic game design (2 classes)

Game programming fundamentals (3 classes)

Advanced game programming issues e.g. memory, sound,
physics, graphics, AI (10 classes)

Visual design (1 class)

Game industry overview (1 class)

Legal and ethical issues (2 classes)

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Class participation

Class participation is critical.

Topic/discussion class format – where everyone in
class brings questions and shares knowledge.

Complete assigned readings and review class topics
prior to class.

Everyone will present results/observations of
assignments.

Provide resources to the class

Questions

Demos – games, development tools

News

Knowledge

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Caveats

Class will interpret gaming broadly.

Topic broad and time is narrow!

Topic and assignment flexibility based on class interests

Game Design

Tools

Graphics

AI

Architectures

Business

Platforms (Web, console, cell phone)

Genres (casual, mobile, MMOG, etc.)

Serious gaming

Using gaming for collective intelligence – FoldIT

Physical interaction – Wii, Kinect

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 Grading
Class Participation/Quizzes/Lab 20%
Midterm 20%
Final 30%
Term Project 30%
Total 100%

•As time allows, all assignments will be presented/discussed in class.

•Submit all assignments by e-mail as a single Zip file attachment.
•zip file name needs to include the class number, assignment name/number,
and your name.
•When the zip file is uncompressed, all files/subdirectories should be
contained within a directory with the same name as the zip file, i.e., class
number, assignment name/number, and your name.
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Game Development Meetings

IGDA: http://igda.org/

Chicago IGDA Chapter: http://www.igda.org/chicago/

March 21st at 7pm

Madison IGDA Chapter: http://www.igda.org/madison/

May 3 meeting at 7pm

Chicago ACM: http://http://www.chicagoacm.org/

Traditionally have at least one meeting dedicated to advanced gaming.

Midwest Gaming Classic: http://www.midwestgamingclassic.com/

Brookfield, WI.

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Game Development Conferences

12th International Conference on Entertainment Computing (ICEC)

September26-29, Bremen Germany

http://icec2012.org/

Meaningful Play: Designing and Studying Games that Matter

October 18-20, 2012 on the campus of Michigan State University

http://meaningfulplay.msu.edu/

International Game Developers Conference (March 5-9, San Francisco) -

http://www.gdconf.com/

Game Design & Technology Workshop (England) – ACM

http://www.cms.livjm.ac.uk/GDTW/GDTW2008/index.html

Siggraph 2012

August 5-9, LA

http://s2012.siggraph.org/

AAAI 2012

July 22-26, Toronto

http://www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/aaai12.php 11
Game Development Conferences

TEDx ASU West - Redefining Video Games - (Phoenix area)


It is clear that video games have become a huge part of our world and have a
tremendous influence in our society. Pioneers of the industry are redefining the
medium. This event is showcasing the wide variety of thoughts, discussion and
research from those pioneers.

WindyCityGo


WindyCityGo is Chicago's mobile developers conference where Android, iOS, and
mobile web developers will learn how to create better mobile apps and how to
sell them effectively. Developers, designers, entrepreneurs, and investors all find
value in WindyCityGo. http://windycitygo.org

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Hiring Companies – Go to GDC

- Metal Gear Solid studio Kojima Productions has big plans for GDC, as the
company hopes to expand beyond Japan and staff up for a brand-new office in
Northern California. The company is hiring in nearly all disciplines, spanning
artists, engineers, designers, and more.

- The social networking giant Facebook is looking to connect with the

developers at GDC to help bolster its open platform and enhance its web and
mobile services. Specifically, the company is looking for new engineers for
mobile development and game partnerships.

- Resistance studio Insomniac Games will exhibit at this year's Career Pavilion to
find new staff to fuel its multiplatform projects and an upcoming Facebook title.
The developer is seeking programmers, animators, artists, and more.

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Hiring Companies – Go to GDC

- The Santa Monica-based Riot Games has seen great success with its action
strategy game League of Legends, and the studio now aims to be "the most
player-focused company in the world." At GDC 2012, the studio hopes to fill
positions for both engineers and producers.

- Major publisher Ubisoft operates a full 26 studios around the world, and the
company is now offering a number of opportunities all over its numerous
branches. Next week, Ubisoft hopes to hire new developers in for its offices in
Singapore, Toronto, Montreal, and more.

- The Berlin-based social giant Wooga will attend GDC to help grow its
numerous online games and services. It's currently looking to hire a new
product manager, game designer, iOS engineers, game artists, and more.

The above companies are just a small fraction of the exhibitors at this year's
Career Pavilion. For more information on open positions or to see the full
recruiter lineup, download the show's official recruitment brochure PDF,
which will also be available in physical form on site.

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Local Companies
Madison

Raven Software, Activision - http://www.ravensoft.com/

Big Rooster - http://www.big-rooster.com/

Human Head Studios - http://www.humanhead.com/

Chicago

WMS Gaming

Midway Games – Gone!

Wideload Games

EA Chicago – Closed!

Day One Studios

Incredible Technologies

High Voltage

Raw Thrills

Play Mechanix

Milwaukee

Guild Software
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