This is a programming course in that it will require you to program (as a team extensively). However, I will not be teaching programming in the course: it will be self-directed. You will need to seek out the resources you need for your projects (e.g., edX, Lynda, or Coursera). If you are in a “non-technical” major (e.g., Applied Psychology or Professional Writing), you will need to be willing to learn some programming. The syllabus for the course is not finalized, but the course will have you:
- Read chapters and papers from the game development “theory” and psychology. In groups, you will present topics in a lecture and discussion format
- With the theory and psychology in mind, critique two video games: one from the 1990s and a more modern spiritual successor (e.g. Everquest to WoW or Warcraft to Starcraft 2). This will take the form of a review or blog post. You will also write a critical analysis of a modern game.
- Participate in discussion and lectures with guest presenters in class or on Zoom
- (Main Project) In an interdisciplinary team, create a working video game. You will conceptualize, plan, program, play test and iteratively improve the game. Your team will select what language(s) to use. Graphics are not a requirement for the game. For example, you could have a seemingly simple text adventure with a complicated battle system and leveling system. My intent is for the programming to be challenging but not insurmountable. Possible high-level languages and platforms are listed in Programming Resources. The project will culminate in a game arcade at the end of the semester where you will demonstrate your game to the public. Finally, you will create a trailer/demo video of your game.
Not being a professional (or barely amateur) game creator myself, you will definitely not know the “right way” to make a professional game at the end of the course. However, my desired outcomes for you by the end of the course are to be able to
- work on a large-scale project in an interdisciplinary team and develop your time management, delegation and planning skills
- read and interpret academic literature in the field
- present and lead discussions on the best practices and theory
- improve your programming skills and learn new languages as needed
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