Course Prerequisite
GA3312 Level Design
Required Text
Game Development Essentials: An Introduction, by Jeannie Novak (Thomason / Delmar Learning) 2005, ISBN # 1-4018-6271-3. [Note, this is the same book used in Survey of the Game Industry, so you should have a copy already.]
In this course the student learns to research and develop the gameplay needs for the overall game project and create specific game design core mechanics accordingly using the iterative process of game prototyping. Featuring a complete description of the game development process, game prototyping instructs in the methodologies of both analog (pen and paper) and digital (computer) game prototyping, compares and contrasts the advantages of each. Students will develop skills in rapid game prototyping and be able to define a game’s core mechanics and create game mods
Prototyping Homework 1
15 points
Quiz 1
10 points
Prototyping Homework 2
15 points
Quiz 2
10 points
Prototyping Homework 3
15 points
Midterm Exam
15 points
Prototyping Homework 4
15 points
Prototyping Homework 5
15 points
Quiz 3
10 points
Prototyping Homework 6
15 points
Quiz 4
10 points
Prototyping Homework 7
20 points
Final Game Evaluator
5 points
Final Course Project Game
30 points 1
Total 2
200 points 3
1. The 40 points for the Graded Course Project are broken down into a rubric as explained in detail on that page of this web site.
2. Note that extra credit assignments are usually provided during the course and extra credit points might also be awarded for class participation. Students may voluntarily participate in extra credit assignments but are not required to do so. Points earned for extra credit are in addition to the above schedule.
3. A student’s final score, including extra credit, will be divided by two to get a percentage (100 scale) value. Grades based upon that result are as shown above.
Grading Scale (percentage):
A = 4.0 100 to 92
A- = 3.7 91.9 to 90
B+ = 3.4 89.9 to 88
B = 3.0 87.9 to 82
B- = 2.7 81.9 to 80
C+ = 2.4 79.9 to 78
C = 2.0 77.9 to 72
C- = 1.7 71.9 to 70
D+ = 1.4 69.9 to 67
D = 1.0 66.9 to 60
F = 0.0 59.9 and below
* How your grade is computed, simply:
1. Add up all of the values of the optimum possible number of points that you
could have earned to date.
2. Divide the number in your Total * column on the far right side of
the table by the sum from step 1.
3. Multiply the result by 100 to obtain your Percentage Score.
4. Compare your Percentage Score with the Grading Scale above,
and that's where you currently stand.
For example, let's say that, to date, the optimal possible score would be 55. Your total score, including -1 point for a tardy and +1 point of extra credit, is currently only 38 out of that possible 55 points, so the math works out thus: (38 / 55) * 100 = 69.1 (when rounded up to the nearest tenth of a point). If you look up 69.1 on the above Grading Scale, you're only getting a D+. (However, you're very close to a C-, so just try a little harder!)
Learning the material in this
course involves hearing the lectures, participating in class discussions,
reading the "Required Reading" section on each week's web page, and completing the weekly homework assignments.
Negative points are scored for absenteeism. The penalty of -1 point
is assessed per tardy (with attendance taken twice per session) and -3 points
for a complete absence. The life lesson here being that "half of success is
just showing up."
You must turn in assignments at
the beginning of class. If you must miss a class meeting, please
contact me in advance to make alternative arrangements for submitting that
week’s homework.
Click here
to send me an email.
No late homework assignment
will be accepted after one week. All late homework assignments are
worth one less point for being late regardless of the reason.
If you miss an exam, attend the next class session 1/2 hour early. You will be given a special make-up exam at that time only. Any other special arrangements for making up exams or homework will be made entirely at the instructor’s discretion.
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Quiz 1 |
Week 3 |
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Quiz 2 |
Week 4 |
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Midterm Exam |
Week 5 |
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Quiz 3 |
Week 8 |
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Quiz 4 |
Week 9 |
Below is a detailed, week-by-week look at the course, complete with hyperlinks to various materials in this web site. If you get lost during a given week of class, you can always find you way back by looking here. Note: the various lecture links provide the weekly Review Sheet notes for students; these are password protected files.
You
will need Adobe Reader to view most of the lecture files. If you don't
have have it, don't panic; it's a free download from Adobe. Just click on this
button and download the proper version.
Week |
Lectures and Labs |
Weekly Assignments |
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Explain course subject and methodologies; web site Lecture: GameMaker 6: use as a tool; access. Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 1 (Catch the Clown) and Tutorial 2 (Evil Clutches). |
Homework: 1) Complete Game Maker Tutorial 3 (Galactic Mail). 2) Mod one of this week’s three tutorials (1, 2, or 3) and email me the .gm6 file before class next week. Have some fun with this assignment. 2) Recommended: Download the latest free version of Game Maker, and pay the $25 to register it. 3) Buy the book The Game Maker’s Apprentice by Habgood & Overmars. |
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Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 4 (1945). |
Due: Tutorial 1, 2, or 3 mod. (15 points) Homework: 1) Complete Game Maker Tutorial 5 (Lazarus). 2) Mod one of this week’s two Tutorials (4 or 5) and email me the .gm6 file before class next week. Show some thought with this assignment. Textbook / Apprentice: Chapter 5, Interactive Challenges. |
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Quiz 1 (10 points) Last week’s book chapter plus required readings on web site. Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 6 (Wingman Sam) and start Game Maker Tutorial 7 (The Maze Game). |
Due: Tutorial 4 or 5 mod (15 points) Homework: 1) Finish Game Maker Tutorial 7 (The Maze Game), create at least 6 gameplay levels and email me the .gm6 file before class next week. Show some work in building these new features and levels. 2) Study for next week’s exam. Textbook / Essentials: Chapter 7, Level Design. |
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Quiz 2 (10 points) Last week’s book chapter plus required readings on web site. Lecture: Feedback (Implicit; Explicit) and Rewards (Type; Structure). Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 8 (The Platform Game). |
Due: Completed Game Maker Tutorial 7 (The Maze Game) and turn in a 6 to 8 level maze adventure. (15 points) Homework: Finish Game Maker Tutorial 8 (The Platform Game), 3-6 levels; email me the .gm6 file before class next week. Show some work. Textbook / Apprentice: Chapter 8, Levels & Features. |
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Midterm Exam (15 points) Last week’s book chapter and lecture, plus required readings on web site and some comprehensive questions. Catch Up: Make up all tutorials, homework, and labs. Lecture: Splash Screens; Front End Design Extra Credit Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 9 (Super Rainbow Reef). |
Due:
Completed
Game Maker Tutorial 8 (The
Platform Game), 3-6 levels. Extra Credit Homework: Finish Game Maker Tutorial 9 (Super Rainbow Reef), 3-6 levels; email me the .gm6 file before class next week. Show some work. |
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Lecture: Game Interface Design (Eyes; Devices; Context, HUDs). Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 10 (3D Game Techniques). |
Homework: Using any of the four different pseudo-3D art techniques learned in this week’s Tutorial, create an original, complete game. It must have some original art that you’ve created for a snazzy 3D look, plus a splash screen, cheese screen, help screen (<F1> key), victory conditions, and at least 3 minutes of great gameplay. Email me the .gm6 file before class next week. Show some real thought and effort with this assignment. Textbook / Essentials: Chapter 8, Interface. |
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Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 11 (Tank Wars). |
Due: Game Maker Tutorial 10: an original 3D Game. (15 points) Homework: “Finishing touches” and a major modification (‘mod’) of this week’s Tutorial game (Tank Wars). You must include a splash screen, cheese screen, and some combination of new artwork, rules, levels, items, etc. designed to “wow” the instructor and extended the gameplay and enhance play balance (see this week’s textbook homework). Textbook / Apprentice: Chapter 11, Balance in Multiplayer Games. |
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Quiz 3 (10 points) Week 6 Lecture, the two textbooks’ chapters, plus required readings on web site. Lecture: Balance in Multiplayer Games (an Apprentice Chapter 11 walkthrough / review). Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 12 (Tic-Tac-Toe). |
Due: Game Maker Tutorial 11: a “finished” major mod of Tank Wars. (15 points) Homework: 1) Finish Game Maker Tutorial 12 (Tic-Tac-Toe) and consider doing an Extra Credit assignment for it (see below). 2) Read and re-read the textbook chapter assigned below: Textbook / Apprentice: Chapter 12, Become a Programmer. Extra Credit: Mod the Tic-Tac-Toe game to either: 1) have the AI choose a position that lets it win two different ways (see page 257 in the Apprentice textbook); 2) Create a 4-in-a-Row variant; 3) create the graphics and AI for a 3D (i.e., 3-level) Tic-Tac-Toe game; or 4) create a Nine Men’s Morris computer game. |
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Lecture: Game Programming 101 for Game Maker (an Apprentice Chapter 12 walkthrough / review). Lab: Game Maker Tutorial 13 (Slightly Less Doomed). |
Due: Nothing except for possible Tic-Tac-Toe Extra Credit. Homework: 1) “Finishing touches” and a major modification (‘mod’) of this week’s Tutorial game (Slightly Less Doomed). You must include a splash screen, cheese screen, and some combination of new artwork, rules, items, etc. designed to “wow” the instructor and extended the gameplay to at least 7 minutes (so plan on more levels). Note: there are many ideas and web sites listed on the web site’s Homework Page link (above). |
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Quiz 4 (10 points) Weeks 8 and 9 Lectures, Game Makers Apprentice Chapter 12, plus required readings on web site. Lab: Highlights from Game Maker Tutorial 14 (Pyramid Panic); commence work on Final Course Project Game. |
Due: Game Maker Tutorial 13: a “finished” major mod of Slightly Less Doomed. (20 points) Homework: 1) Take-Home Final Exam. Next week in class, the student will give a live demo of their original game prototype, graded by classmates). |
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Final Exam: Instant Game Analysis (critical written evaluation 10 points); Course Project Game Presentations (30 points according to the grading rubric). |
Due: Final Course Project game |