CS 325 Introduction to Computer Game Design

Dr. Graham Morgan

Prereq: CS 211

email: gmorgan4@gmu.edu

Office: 330C Sci/Tech II

Office Hours: Tuesday afternoon 2 - 5 (or via prior arrangement - email me)

Teaching Assistant: Ajay Nagarajan (anagara1@gmu.edu)

Teaching Assistant Office Hours: Contact Ajay

To introduce fundamental concepts underpinning computer games development and provide practical experience of the software engineering associated with computer games

• Become familiar with the underlying skills associated with computer games development
• Understand different design issues related to computer games development
• Realise the appropriate techniques used by developers during the production, deployment and maintenance of computer games
• Be able to identify the mathematics associated with different aspects of computer games and utilize such knowledge in the development of computer games
• Awareness of appropriate enabling technologies for computer games development and be able to exhibit skills appropriate for the development of a computer game via such technologies
• Become capable of developing a complete game from basic computing resources

• Introduction: Genres, History, Design Basics
• Movement: Simple Animation, Blending, Physics
• Reactions: Collisions, Locating
• Online: Approaches, MMOs, Interest Determinism
• Research: A selection from three of my published papers

• Midterm: 25%
• Final: 50%
• Project: 25%

Create a simple, fully functional game. Java should be the choice of language. If another language is requested then this must be discussed with Graham first. Game is marked on technical and playability criteria

The class enforces the GMU Honor Code, and to the more specific honor code policy special to the Department of Computer Science. You will be expected to adhere to this code and policy

If you have a documented learning disability or other condition which may affect academic performance, make sure this documentation is on file with the Office of Disability Services