IAT 410 - Video Game Design and Programming

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IAT 410 - Video Game Design and Programming

• Chris Shaw, Ph.D.
• shaw_at_sfu.ca

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Topics

• Four broad themes
• Social aspects
• Algorthmic aspects
• Software Engineering aspects
• Business aspects

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Introductions

• Instructor
• Chris Shaw
• shaw_at_sfu.ca
• Graphics
• Bioinformatics Visualization
• Two-Handed 3D interfaces
• Scientific Information Visualization
• Virtual Reality Software

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Introductions

• TA
• Ji-Dong Yim
• jidongy_at_sfu.ca
• biov.iat.sfu.ca/shaw/iat410

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Cognate Classes

• SIAT Classes
• 312 Game Design
• NME, ID, TAD, PMA!
• CS Classes
• Computer Graphics, AI, Networking, HCI
• Visual Arts
• Music

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What you will do

• Analysis
• Design
• Programming
• User testing
• Programming!
• Enjoy!

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5-Phase Project

• Build a team
• Tell me your team members ASAP
• Build a game
• Phases
• Settle on a game idea (Sept 11)
• Formal Game Proposal (September 18)
• Game Design (October 2)
• Minimum Target Progress Report (October 23)
• Alpha Release (November 6)
• IGF Deadline November 10
• Playtesting Results (November 29)

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IGF Student Showcase

• Selects 10 Student Showcase Winners
• 500 travel stipends per game
• Show their game at GDC March 2007
• 2,500 Best Student Game award
• Deadline November 10, 2006 at 11.59pm PDT.

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Past Winning Games

• XenoHammer
• IGF Student Showcase 2002
• DOGgone CATastrophe
• IGF Student Showcase 2003
• KubeKombat
• IGF Student Showcase 2004
• Growbot
• IGF Student Showcase 2004
• TeamRobot
• IGF Student Showcase 2005

Phage --Kill Viruses in Artery
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Course Information

• Grading
• Project (5 parts) 14-17 each --gt 70
• Homeworks 8
• Final Exam 15
• Advice Learn from past
• Content, lectures, projects, ...

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Project Teams

• 4 people (diverse is best!)
• Consider schedules
• Cool name

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Software

• 3D Studio Max
• Maya
• Sound Forge
• Unreal
• etc etc

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Hardware

• I dont care, really

Not PDP-11!
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Info I Need

• Your name
• Your year of study
• Relevant 3rd 4th year classes
• Your Software Design experience
• Your Visual Art Design experience
• Your Audio Art Design experience