CPSC 489: Computer Game Development

Spring 2009

 

Location/Time: MWF 10:20am– 12:20pm, HRBB 203

 

Class Web Page: http://courses.cs.tamu.edu/schaefer/489_Spring2009

 

Instructor:                                         

Dr. Scott Schaefer                               

Office: HRBB 527B                            

Phone: 862-4251                    

Office Hours: by appointment           

 

Topics and Goals:

This course will introduce students to the design and implementation of Computer Games including graphics algorithms, shader programming, AI, 3D modeling, animation and particle systems.  Students will work in groups to design/implement a game from start to finish.  We may have lectures or guest-lectures on various subjects related to game development throughout the semester.

 

Goals:

  • Introduce students to game development
  • Learn to work in semi-large teams to develop a large project
  • Bring together knowledge from various parts of the curriculum including: data structures, algorithms, AI, networking, graphics, HCI, 2D digital art, 3D modeling, rigging/animation, and sound track composition.

 

Prerequisites:

The course requires permission of instructor or CPSC 441.

 

Grading:

Students will create a webpage for their game where they will post their project proposal, status reports (6 expected) and final reports.  In addition to these reports, the group will give a presentation in class demonstrating the progress that they have made during the previous two weeks.  Students will also rate the participation of other group members at each of the status reports as well as turn in an individual report.  The overall grade will be determined as follows:

Game Website:                        5%

Project Proposal:                   10%

Status Reports/Presentations:5% each

Final Report/Presentation:     10%

            Final Project:                         30%

            Course Evaluation:                 5%

            Participation:                          10%

The expected grading scale will be A ³ 90% > B ³ 80% > C ³ 70% > D ³ 60% > F.  Depending on the final percentage distribution, an absolute or relative curve may be applied, though an attempt will be made to avoid this.  In addition, the instructor reserves the right to raise grades near a “borderline” to the next highest letter grade.  Factors weighing into this decision will be the individual student’s perceived effort and class attendance and participation.

 

Required Textbooks:

       There is no required textbook.

 

Policies:

Attendance: Attendance is mandatory and will be expected without an excused absence.  If you know that you will be absent for a class, you should let the instructor know ahead of time.

Late Assignments: Late assignments are not accepted.

Communication:  A class web page (listed at the top of this syllabus) will be maintained throughout the semester.  Students are responsible for checking both the web page and email regularly for class updates.

Code Documentation:  For students writing code, a large project such as this requires good documentation.  It is your responsibility to make sure that your source code is presented in a clear, readable, way.

 

Academic Honesty:

The Aggie Honor Code is: “An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.”  Upon accepting admission to Texas A&M University, a student immediately assumes a commitment to uphold the Honor Code, to accept responsibility for learning, and to follow the philosophy and rules of the Honor System. Students will be required to state their commitment on examinations, research papers, and other academic work. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the TAMU community from the requirements or the processes of the Honor System. For additional information please visit: www.tamu.edu/aggiehonor/

 

For this class, the interpretation of the code will be as follows: Since this class is about group projects, cooperation within your group is permitted.  Downloaded libraries or code is fine but, in the unlikely scenario that you happen to find code that implements your project, you may not use that code.  By turning in an assignment or exam, you are implicitly assumed to be committing to the honor code.  If you are unsure of whether a type of cooperation is appropriate, check with the instructor first.

 

ADA Statement:

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Department of Student Life, Services for Students with Disabilities, in Cain Hall or call 845-1637.