SE 350 – Programming Games

SE 350 – Programming Games Lecture 1: Introduction Lecturer: GazihanAlankuş Please look at the last two slides for assignments (marked with TODO)

WARNING • THIS CLASS REQUIRES YOU TO WRITE CODE! • IF YOU CURRENTLY DO NOT LIKE CODING, AND ARE CLOSE-MINDED, YOU MAY HATE THIS CLASS… (CODING IS ACTUALLY FUN) • I WILL WORK HARD TO HELP YOU LEARN ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW (E-MAIL SUPPORT, GOOGLE CHAT, STUDY SESSIONS, VIDEO TUTORIALS, ETC.) • IF YOU HAVE AN OPEN MIND AND ARE NOT LAZY, YOU WILL DO JUST FINE.

Outline • Me • Class • Unity • Games • Logistics of class • You • HOMEWORK 1!!!

Instructor • Dr. GazihanAlankuş • METU, BS 2002, MS 2005 • WUSTL, PhD 2011 • Currently a Lecturer (no office…) • Background • Some industry experience (including Google) • I do research on games • Now I get to teach games • reasonable > idealistic • Please use gazihan.ieu@gmail.com for class-related e-mail exchange

Can you understand me? • English language is just a tool, not a goal. • The goal is to communicate and learn. • Stop me when you don’t understand something. • In general, be active in class.

Class • Using Unity game engine to create video games • This is a new class, there can be mistakes… • Syllabus will be updated soon: • http://ects.ieu.edu.tr/syllabus.php?section=ce.cs.ieu.edu.tr&course_code=SE%20350&cer=0 • Books are accurate. The first one should be at the bookstore.

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games • Unity is an amazing game development tool

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games • Unity is an amazing game development tool • Windows or Mac • C# (or JavaScript or Python (boo)) • Great blend of visual elements and code

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games • We will learn how to use Unity • Gather information • Online videos • In-class demonstrations • Book • Practice • Homework assignments • Practice on your own • You have to learn it very well to succeed

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games • This will be different than most of your classes • Using a visual tool • Programming with C# • Coding visual and interactive applications • Designing a game • Developing a game that works well • I don’t expect you to know any of these already • I expect you to work hard, pay attention, and learn to be good at them

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games • It’s best if you have a laptop that runs Unity • You can also use lab machines outside of class (lab machines have Unity) • 40 is too crowded for labs…? (or is it?) • You can use your desktop at home • But it’s best if you have a laptop that somehow runs Unity

Using Unity Game Engine to Create Video Games • “Can we use other game development environments?” • I’d rather have you use Unity • Talk to me if you really want to use something else

Using Unity Game Engineto Create Video Games

Using Unity Game Engineto Create Video Games • Video games are fun! • Video games make money! • Video games can be used for good!

Using Unity Game Engineto Create Video Games • Some infographics • http://www.vizworld.com/2010/01/infographic-video-game-statistics/ • http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2011/06/infographic-video-game-industry-statistics/239665/ • http://www.vincentabry.com/en/us-uk-video-game-industry-infographic-918 • http://www.uproxx.com/gaming/2011/06/infographic-of-the-day-videogames-pwning-hollywood-in-release-week-sales/ • http://www.1001oyun.com/infographic/video-game-addiction

Using Unity Game Engineto Create Video Games • We will learn how to design video games • Video game concepts • How to make games • Fun • Engaging • Etc. • You will use these in your projects

Using Unity Game Engineto Create Video Games • Projects • While you are learning Unity, you will also come up with game ideas (start thinking right now) • We will select some of the ideas, and form groups around them. (max. 3 people) • You will develop those games using Unity • You will make presentations in class as a group • You will each send me private weekly reports as simple e-mails

Logistics • Homeworks • There will be homeworks in the first part of class while we learn Unity • Midterm • Questions about Unity and game design. No final! • Project • You will develop a game as a group project (see previous slides for details) • Google group • I will send announcements using Google groups (we’ll talk about it soon) • Weekly meetings and reports • Groups will meet weekly • Everybody sends me private weekly reports about what you did that week related to this class (homework, project, tutorial, etc.)

My Expectations of You • Enthusiastic about developing video games • Likes to learn new things. • Can learn something on your own if you need to. You’re not going to use “I don’t know this” as an excuse. • Hard-working. Can spare a lot of time for the class. There will be time-consuming homeworks and a big term project.

Some Suggestions and Comments • If you are looking for an easy elective course, this is not it. • If you could not find any other course, let me know and maybe I’ll find someone that wants to swap courses with you. • This is a full-house class! There are enthusiastic students that could not take the class… • I will not be easy on grading. If you pass this course, that will mean you can create games with Unity. • Everybody will contribute in the group. Group members may get different grades. • I will not tolerate laziness. • I will not tolerate attempts to trick me.

It’s Going to Be Great • Just spare some time each week • You will create a game! • Create something cool with your programming skills • Amazing portfolio entry • Work in groups and learn from each other • I’m usually online for chat or e-mail support

Questions?

Let’s get to know you • Introduce in detail, from where, etc. • You and games • Registered? Why? • What do you expect • from this class? • to see happen by the end of semester? • Programmer? • C#? IDEs? Debugging? Open source? 116? • Artist? • Graphic designer? Sound maker?

TODO: Google Group • Do either one of these: • Go to http://groups.google.com/group/ieu-se350-games-spring-2012 and apply for a membership. • Or, send an e-mail to gazihan.ieu@gmail.com and I will invite your e-mail to the Google group. You will have to accept the invitation. • I will use this for class announcements • You can also send questions, comments, helpful tips, or announcements to it but I will moderate your e-mails.

TODO: Homework 1 • Install Unity from http://unity3d.com/ (free license, not trial) • Watch these videos: • Videos 1 thru 8 here: • http://www.digitaltutors.com/11/training.php?pid=572 • All the videos here: • http://unity3d.com/support/documentation/video/ • While watching them, use your Unity installation with AngryBots to practice what you see. • There will be a short quiz about it next week!

SE 350 – Programming Games