Exam #3 is this week:
This week also features the third exam at the beginning of the class period. It is worth up to 15 points and covers the material from weeks 7 and 8 (including the required reading sections for those weeks on this web site).
In the lecture track this week, we take an in-depth look at Game Concept Documents. This is the next step up from an Inception Document and is something that you'll need to create for your Course Project Game. Also, the grading parameters for your Course Project Game are defined in detail so that you know exactly what your classmates will be looking for when grading your project during our final class session.
Extra credit Game Maker presentations might also be presented by you and your classmates to broaden our knowledge of the tools that we're using and help us to build better games with it. We will conclude the lecture track with a review of playtesting particulars from Gameplay and Game Design.
In the lab track, you will spend the final time in class today catching up on your homework and building your Course Project Game.
The link below is the homework assignment due at the beginning of the next class session.
These links feature the supplemental material that you are responsible for knowing before the final exam (that takes place at the beginning of Week 11). Be sure to click on every link in this section!
Sample Concept Documents: Click Here by various students
This is what is level of quality expected for your Course Project Game's Concept Document due next week. Be sure to take a look at these sample homework assignments; they're outstanding.
With all the work you'll need to do to prepare for next week's homework assignment, studying for the final exam, and preparing your Graded Course Project to be handed in, I thought a mental laxative along the theme of The Human Element in Game Design would be in order. Enjoy a little humor!
Sample Concept Document: Hero's Path by Tim Ryan
This Concept Document for a proposed new game (featuring new technology), Hero’s Path, is intended to be a “proof of concept” for a new style of interactive simulator made possible by the D3 Engine. It has got a nice presentation and a different style.
Article: Build a Quick and Dirty Prototype (using the Torque engine) Torque Game Engine Documentation
While admittedly a commercial for the very popular and useful Torque game engine, the philosophical touchstones of game prototype are well reinforced in this section of its documentation. It includes a good story, well told; it is well worth your time to read.
Bibliography: General Course References
