CIS140 Game Design

FALL 2011

Tuesday/Thursday 3:00-4:50pm Room 8-1F

Syllabus: 

INSTRUCTOR:  Jeff Gullion
OFFICE:  8-02-B
PHONE:  515-964-6367
EMAIL: jhgullion@dmacc.edu
INSTRUCTOR WEBSITE:  http://www.dmacc.edu/instructors/jhgullion/

TEXT:  None

REQUIRED SOFTWARE: To Be Determined

PREREQUISITES:    Expected good computer skills and some experience with gaming

OBJECTIVES:

The student will learn about the basic elements of game design and an overview of the tools and technologies in use in the gaming industry. We will also reserach and discuss the skills necessary to work in this field. We'll use a variety of tools and technologies to design, code, test and play computer games of various types.

I. ATTENDANCE:

This class assumes that the student will attend. Since there is not book for this course the majority of information will be delievered in the classroom. Printed material will not always be available for handouts so the student is responsible for locating notes from other students.

II. PROJECTS:

  • There will be 5-8 assigned projects throughout the course.
  • Each project will be given a DUE DATE when assigned.
  • Each project will be worth 50 points.
  • Assignments turned in after the due date without prior discussion with the instructor will be reduced by 20%
  • Students are encouraged to assist each with projects but are expected to do their own work. Joint projects and any work copied from another person will not be tolerated and will be given a ZERO score.

III. QUIZZES:

  • There could be 1-4 quizzes worth 25 points each
  • Quiz/Exam dates will be announced in class.
  • NO MAKEUP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN WITHOUT PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE INSTRUCTOR.

IV: FINAL PROJECT

  • There will be a final project worth 200 points
  • The final project will be presented to the class on the regurarly scheduled Final Exam date

V: COURSE GRADE:

The Final Course grade will be determined by combining your totals points. The grading scale is as follows: 90% AND ABOVE = A, 80% to 89% = B, 70% to 79%= C, 60% to 69 = D, 59% AND BELOW = F.   Pluses and minuses will be used at the instructor's discretion.

VI. CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM

Engaging in any form of cheating or plagiarism on an assignment, test, quiz or project will result in a ZERO grade for that particular assignment. These acts are considered academic misconduct by the college and various disciplinary actions may be taken.

VII.     This syllabus is tentative and the instructor reserves the right to make changes during the course of the semester.

VIII.   SPECIAL NEEDS

It is the policy of DMACC to accommodate students with 
disabilities. Any student with a documented disability who requires 
reasonable accommodation should contact the Special Needs 
Coordinator at (515) 964-6850 voice or (515) 964-6810 tty. 

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CLASS ASSIGNMENTS:
Week

Date

Topic Assignments and Due Dates
1 8/25

Introduction to Games

Evolution of Games and Genres

 

2

8/30

9/1

The Game Industry

 

3

9/6

9/8

Elements of a Game

Research Project 1 - Top 10 Game Companies in World

Research Project 2 - Top 10 Game Companies in US

Research Project 3 - Game Companies in Iowa

4

9/13

9/15

Employment In the Gaming Industry

Game Lab - Game Demonstration

5

9/20

9/22

Game Structure Components

Research Projects 1-3 DUE!

 

6

9/27

9/29

Gameplay Concepts Research Project 4 - Job skills for the Game Industry
7

10/4

10/6

Gameplay Concepts  
8

10/11

10/13

Core Mechanics  
9

10/18

10/20

Game World / Storytelling and Narrative

 
10

10/25

10/27

Character Definition and Development  
11

11/1

11/3

Game Development Cycle  
12

11/8

11/10

Game Design Document  
13

11/15

11/17

Lab Project - Game  
14

11/22

11/24

Lab Project - Game  
15

11/29

12/1

Lab Project - Game  
16

12/6

12/8

TBD  
Final

12/13

3:00-5:00pm

Final Project Presentations  

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LINKS:

 

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