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 ...