CS
426
/
CSC
4263
-
Video
Game
Design
and
Development
Spring
2012
University of Illinois
at Chicago
Louisiana State
University
Version:
January
11,
2012
Instructors
 |
Jason
Leigh
Office: Room 2032, Engineering Research Facilities Building
(842 W
Taylor St)
Office Hours (2032 ERF):
Thursday 12-2pm |
|
|
TA
|
Huy Bui
Office Hours (2068 ERF):
Tuesday & Thursday: 1pm-3pm
Or by appointment. |
Course
Description
This
course
is
an
introduction
to
the
theory
and
practice
of
video
game
design
and
programming.
Video game programming is one of the most
challenging disciplines in Computer Science because it attempts to
combine, in real time, concepts in: computer graphics, human computer
interaction, networking, artificial intelligence, computer aided
instruction, computer architecture, and databases.
In
this
class
students
will
form
project
groups
consisting
of
both
CS
and
Art
majors,
to
design, build and demonstrate a simple video
game. Some of the topics you will learn include:
- Video game history
- Taxonomy of video games
- Gameplay design - components of a video game experience
- Software architecture for video games
- Intro to 3D graphics and stereoscopic computer graphics
- Hardware architecture of contemporary video game platforms
- Human physical and perceptual limits & stereoscopic computer
graphics
- Game AI (artificial intelligence)
- Multiplayer game design
- Game physics
- Intro to real time shading effects, such as Toon Shading,
Reflections, Lens flares, Shadow
Warning:
This
class
will
take
up
a
lot
of
your
time.
Do
not
expect
to
get
an A in the class unless you are able to put in a lot of
effort. It's a fun class but it's a lot of work!
This Year's
Theme
This semester
the class will be developing stereoscopic 3D games using the new
near-seamless 3D LCD panels. If you cross your eyes and look at the
picture below you should be able to see 3D.
Required Course Materials
If you
are a student taking this class, follow this link and sign up on Piazza.
Both
undergrad and graduate CS students, as well as MFA students in
Art, Communications etc, are encouraged to enroll. Undergrad students
should have at least
had CS 107 (Intro to Computing and Programming) and CS 201 (Data
Structures). Art students should have at least some experience with
using computers and software paint packages.
Computer
You
need to own your own PC and a copy of the software below to
take the class. PC should have hardware 3D
acceleration and sound
card.
Textbook
All students
should read the purchase this stack of cards.
|
The
Art
of
Game
Design
:
A
Deck
of
Lenses
[Cards]
Purchase either the physical cards or the iPhone, Android app. |
Supplies
You need to order
the following (or equivalent):
Software
Course
Schedule
and
Logistics
Schedule for Spring 2012
EVL Guest Wireless
Go to this page and
enter your information if you want access to EVL Guest wireless during
class.
3D Modeling
Tutorials
All students should learn a 3D
modeling program because the artist will have more than they can handle
while trying to create every asset the programmer wants. Programmers
may have to make some basic objects themselves until the artist can
create a final version.
Blender
Tutorials - All students can access Blender's homepage tutorials
here.
http://www.blender.org/education-help/tutorials/
3ds
Max Tutorials – Essential skill movies provided by Autodesk 3ds
Max.
http://download.autodesk.com/us/3dsmax/skillmoviesv2011/index.html
Maya
Tutorials – Contains tutorials for Maya 2009, 2010, and 2011.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=9502844&linkID=9242256
If you are a UIC student and trying
to learn a 3D modeling program, whether it be 3Ds Max, Maya, or
Blender, you can access Lynda.com tutorials through this website,
scroll down to "How do I access tutorials?" and click the link and
login with your UIC account and password. Once logged in you can search
for tutorials on your own or click the links provided below.
Once logged into lynda.com click here
for Blender tutorials.
http://www.lynda.com/home/displaycourse.aspx?lpk2=740
Once logged into lynda.com click here
for 3Ds Max tutorials.
http://www.lynda.com/home/displaycourse.aspx?lpk2=94
Once logged into Lynda.com click here
for Maya Tutorials.
http://www.lynda.com/home/displaycoursenotabs.aspx?lpk2=329&lpk67=true
Free Unity
Tutorials
All objects and scripts from the
Unity example projects can be used in your own game. So if you like a
character, script, particle emitter, or any object, take it and use it
in your own project.
Unity
Tutorials - Start here by going through the Basics. Take a look
at the Video Tutorials as well. Then try one of the step-by-step
tutorials. Note: some of the tutorials use Unity 2 so the interface may
be slightly different from what you see in Unity 3. So try to
understand the concepts rather than remembering where the buttons are.
http://unity3d.com/support/documentation/
Sewer
Control
Room - Artists may want to check this out for Objects
and Texture ideas.
http://Unity3D.com/support/resources/example-projects/sewercontrolroom
First
Person
Shooter
Tutorial
- Helps the user construct their first project which includes the
creation of a first person controller, projectiles, object rotation,
particle systems, basic enemy AI, sound effects, and colliders.
http://Unity3D.com/support/resources/tutorials/fpstutorial.html
3rd
Person Shooter
- (NOT A TUTORIAL) A good example project. Unity also lets you use
their scripts and objects in your own games, so feel free to take
anything from this game.
http://Unity3D.com/support/resources/example-projects/3rdpersonshooter
Students may also purchase a
design3.com account and access more tutorials for Unity, 3ds Max, and
Maya. Design3.com lets users watch the intro to tutorials to see if you
think they are beneficial before you sign up.
Any questions about Unity? Students
can Google it, post on the Unity forums at http://forum.Unity3D.com.
