CS4455: Video Game Design and Architecture

1. CS4455: Video Game Design and Architecture Blair MacIntyre blair@cc.gatech.edu Maribeth Gandy maribeth@cc.gatech.edu CS4455

2. Topics • Video Game Design • Themes: • Thing about elements of games • Formal elements, dramatic elements, balance, rules • Design a fun experience • Brainstorming, prototyping, play testing • Game technology • 3D graphics, audio, physics, AI, game engines etc. CS 4455

3. Texts (optional) • Game Design Workshop, Second Edition: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games (Paperback), Tracy Fullerton, Christopher Swain, Steven Hoffman (1st Edition: : Game Design Workshop: Designing, Prototyping, and Playtesting Games) • The Art of Game Design: A book of lenses (Paperback), Jesse Schell CS 4455

4. Unity3D • Unity3d.com • LEARN IT, NOW! • Leverage forums, IRC, tutorials, examples, wikis, etc. • DGML or buy • Asset server is very valuable CS 4455

5. Introductions • Instructor • Blair MacIntyre • blair@cc.gatech.edu • Augmented and Mixed Reality (“interactive 3D in the world”), AR/MR Games • Associate Professor, Coc/IC; Adjunt Professor, LCC • Design of MR/AR experiences (3D in the world) • Background in math, CS, 3D graphics • PhD research in distributed interactive 3D software design CS 4455

6. Introductions • Instructor • Maribeth Gandy • Maribeth@cc.gatech.edu • Research Scientist, Interactive Media Technology Center • Augmented and Mixed Reality, Wearable Computing • Background in CS, HCI, graphics, audio • Tools for AR design, • Applying HCI techniques to AR • Creating compelling AR experiences for entertainment and informal education CS 4455

7. Introductions • TA • Chris Ernst CS 4455

8. Useful Background Knowledge • CS Classes • Computer Graphics • Artificial Intelligence • Networking • Human-Computer Interaction • Software Engineering • Visual Arts • 3D Modeling • Music and Sound Design CS 4455

9. What you will do • Think about games • Think about what makes a good game • Design • Learn what it means to prototype core game elements, and do it • Create a game • {Test, refine, repeat} CS 4455

10. Class Structure and Grading • http://cs4455f11.computing4fun.org CS 4455

11. Group Project • Design and build a game • Unity3D appropriate for all types of games! • Everyone must make a significant technical contribution • EVERYONE WRITES CODE CS 4455

12. Group Project • Build a team • Teams of 3 • Build a game • Must include range of technology • 3D game • Non-completely-trivial AI • Network (2 player) • Physics • Audio CS 4455

13. Resources • Know what’s going on! • Grades on Tsquare • Annoucements, syllabus and schedule on blog • Please check often • DML/Mac Lab • Lots of software (Unity3D, Maya, Creative Suite) • Free models • Don’t spend a lot of time modeling! • Audio Libraries CS 4455

14. Annoying Warnings • You are responsible for anything we talk about in class. If you miss class, talk to classmates. • No open laptops in class, unless we ask you to take them out • If you like to take notes on your laptop, fine. But, we will ask you to submit them after each class. CS 4455

15. Cross-Institute Collaboration • Berklee College of Music • Have Berklee students in your group, creating custom music and sound • More later • SCAD • Opportunity for a small number of you to join class at SCAD CS 4455