Winter 2012-2013

Andy's HTML Game Thing

Browser based 3D technologies are a recently emerging trend that is impacted by the larger movement towards media-rich delivery via standards-based web technologies. With the development of web browsers capable of utilizing 3D hardware and traditional graphics APIs, coupled with recent advances in script engine performance, it is now possible to create deep and complex 3D experiences without the need for custom plug-ins or separate engines outside of the browser environment. However, the development of content of this type is highly customized to these new environments, and traditional techniques are being re-examined in light of new workflows, processes, and strategies that are emerging in response to these shifts in the underlying delivery model. In this course, students will explore these emerging technologies and software trends through the implementation of a rich-media game experience utilizing these tools and techniques. The construction of individual and group projects and accompanying documentation is required.

Game Mods

  • Course Number: 4080-590-03
  • Requirements: 3rd Year Standing
  • Instructor: Jessica Bayliss
  • Time Slot: MW 12-2 PM
  • Location: GOL-2435

Game “mods” or modifications range from changing the firing pattern and art of a weapon in a first person shooter to the development of a whole new game type. Some popular games such as Counterstrike and League of Legends have their roots in modding and the Independent Games Festival now includes mods in its own category. This course covers the history, uses, design, and development of game mods. Topics include level design, aesthetics, scripting, and rapid development processes. Group projects are required. (3rd year standing)

Educational Games

In the 1980s and 1990s an entire subculture of the game industry came into its own. During this time, there was huge growth in games that were trying to educate. Subsequently, this part of the industry hit a large decline, partially fueled by findings that this approach to learning was not as effective as originally believed. The interest in games that educate has never truly gone away and new approaches have since emerged in this area in an effort to better utilize the power of games to educate people in various disciplines. In this seminar, we will explore the history of educational games, the process of developing educational games, and finally the creation of educational gaming projects. Individual and group projects will be required.

Spring 2012-2013

Advanced Modeling for Games

This course covers 3D modeling as it applies specifically to games. Basic knowledge gained in the prerequisite course is revisited with a tighter focus on artwork that makes the most effective use of modern game engine technology. Topics will include modeling and texturing, high polygon sculpting, retopologizing geometry, high to low polygon baking, and modular workflow.

MMO Design and Development

Massively Multiplayer Online games are an established form of gameplay, engaging participants in a wide variety of social activities on a global scale. Students will explore through hands-on construction the basic tenets of designing and developing platforms that provide access to multiplayer worlds. Students will work in teams to develop a framework that supports data communications, client-side world rendering, world state management, and player information. Common problems such as communication errors, latency, bandwidth, and information consistency will be explored. Very large game engine development experience is a pre-requisite for this course

Information Visualization

Information visualization reveals the underlying structure of data by representing and leveraging human visual perception. This course offers an overview of the visual exploration, analysis, techniques and development of information visualizations that illuminate and clarify abstract data in games and new media. Learners will work with both numeric and textual data including tables, trees, timelines, graphs and other multivariate data types. Topics for this course include cognitive foundations, visual perception and data, communication of numbers and text, visual encoding principles, the visualization process, and effective visualization. Examples of information visualization tools will be introduced, discussed and explored. Both individual and team projects to research and prepare visualizations will be required.

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