From CS426 Spring 2011: Game Programming 2

Information

Instructor

  • Jyh-Ming Lien
  • jmlien@cs.gmu.edu
  • Office: ENGR 4442
  • Office hours: Tuesdays 3-5pm

Course Scope

This class is a capstone class for making a functioning/complete game. Please expect this class to be a very demanding class. Most activities for this class are outside the classroom.

Prerequisites

  • Grade of C or better in CS 425.
  • Working knowledge of C/C++
  • You should already be:
    • experts in programming and debugging in C/C++
    • experts in using Ogre for graphical display
    • understanding basic game design flow and framework
    • experts in using cvs/svn or things similar for revision control
    • understanding basic data structures and algorithms
    • working extremely hard and self-motivated

Course outcomes

  • Gain ability to complete the development of a functional game
  • Become familiar with the resources for developing games
  • Deepen the understanding of the current techniques used in the game
  • Realize the manner with which team work may be achieved in a programming environment
  • Exhibit skills that demonstrate the ability to present a video game appropriately

Required Textbook

There is no required textbook.
Reading materials will be posted on the blackboard.

Grading

  1. Assignments 15%:
  2. Presentation 10%
  3. Course project 75%

List of Topics (tentative)

  • space partitioning in game (BSP, quad/octree)
  • (discrete/continuous) collision detection
  • motion capture data
  • game camera/visibility
  • physics engines
  • game state serialization
  • GPU computing (GPGPU)
  • real-time/3D sound rendering in game
  • (polygonal/bitmap) map generation
  • real-time rendering (very brief overview)
  • game-related networking

Policies

All required assignments should be completed by the stated due date and time. The total score of your assignment score will be 10 points less every extra day after the due date (i.e., the 100 total points will become zero after 10 days pass the due date). 0 point for missing your own presentation.

Please note that all coursework is to be done independently. Plagiarizing the homework will be penalized by maximum negative credit and cheating on the exam will earn you an F in the course. See the GMU Honor Code System and Policies at this page and this page. You are encouraged to discuss the material BEFORE you do the assignment. As a part of the interaction you can discuss a meaning of the question or possible ways of approaching the solution. The homework should be written strictly by yourself. In case your solution is based on the important idea of someone else please acknowledge that in your solution, to avoid any accusations.