Spring 2002 Final Exam


The final exam is a take home written exam. It is given out in class on 4/24 and is due at 5:30pm on 4/30. The exam combines the project experience in creating a game with the various research we have talked about in class.

You are to describe a game set in and around the UIC main campus - outside on the grass and pathways, and inside the structures. The game is a multiplayer game - either cooperative or competitive. The game will be played while the players are physically walking (running, biking, rollerblading) around the real space. The players should not disturb non-players - that is we will not use paintball guns or water pistols or other things that can annoy 'civilians.' You can bend this rule a little, but basically you should be able to play the game without the players getting arrested by UIC police. To do this we will use technology.

The hardware that the players carry is up to you - maybe they carry cell phones, maybe they have PDAs, maybe they have augmented reality headsets - but they should be carrying some kind of portable high-technology utilizing computer graphics to allow them to interact with the game. Most likely everyone will carry a GPS unit relaying their position to a central computer that is managing the game.

Very likely the computer will also be controlling simulated agents or creatures or puzzles on the campus that are only visible to the players though the technology they are carrying.

We are assuming current technology, or technology that will be commercially available in the next year. You can assume that there is a full wireless network covering the campus so a player is always in range - though you should talk about how you would implement this.

The game should have goal(s), and most importantly the game should be fun. You may want to talk about your ideas with Andy to make sure you are on the right track.

You should describe the game and then more importantly describe the technology and the programming behind it.

You should also discuss the budget - its not unlimited - it should be 'reasonable.' You should say roughly how much this game will cost to implement, and how much to maintain.

Your description can include drawings as well as text. Your text should take the form of a proposal to develop the game. You will need sufficient details to convince a reader to fund this proposal.

You will probably need to do some research on the web to make sure your description of the technology is accurate.

How many pages should this be? That's hard to answer. It should be thorough. My guess is something the size of an 8-page double column research paper, which is roughly 6000 words, should be about right.

As always, all work should be your own ...


last revision 4/24/02