Course Syllabus

Course Information:
ATEC 3351.501: COMPUTER GAME DEVELOPEMENT
Tuesday, 7:00 – 9:45 PM ATEC 1.102 Spring 2011

Professor Contact Information

Instructor: Erin Jennings Office: NA
Email: erin.jennings@utdallas.edu Office Hours: By appointment
Email MUST have atec3351 in subject line.

Course Pre-requisites, Co-requisites, and/or Other Restrictions

ATEC 2382 and (CS 1337 or CS 2336)

Course Description

ATEC 3351 Computer Game Development (3 semester hours) provides introductory experience in
game play design and development. Students will work in teams to create a number of game
prototypes. Students will participate in class discussions about types and characteristics of game play
mechanics. Topics will vary from basic game types to types of social structures within games. As this
course is heavily project oriented, attendance and participation will be crucial to your success.

Student Learning Objectives/Outcomes

Students will learn to think critically about games and gaming issues
Students will work in teams to develop original playable games
Students will learn how to critically analyze games made by themselves and others
Students will research and discuss social issues as they relate to games

Required Textbooks and Materials

Students should purchase and bring to class weekly a set of gaming dice (available at local comic shops or online
for approximately $7.00).

Students may purchase materials throughout the semester to produce game prototypes. Because all but the final
assignment are rapid prototypes, most of these materials should be inexpensive, consisting of items such as
graph paper and notecards.

Suggested Course Materials

A Theory of Fun for Game Design - Raph Koster

Game Design Workshop - Fullerton, Swain, and Hoffman

Assignments & Academic Calendar

January 11 - Week 1
Topics: Intro to game development, game basics
Activity: Race to the End
Assignments: Complete Race to the End prototype and documentation (group)

January 18 - Week 2
Topics: The design process, documentation
Activity: Playtest Race to the End; turn in playtest documentation
Assignments: Expand your Race to the End pitch into a concept document (individual)

January 25 - Week 3
Topics: Digital and analog games, game theory models
Activity: Game Theory Challenge
Assignments: Complete Game Theory Challenge and documentation (group)

February 1 - Week 4
Topics: Designing puzzle games
Activity: Puzzle Surprise
Assignment: Complete Puzzle Surprise and documentation (group)

February 8 - Week 5
Topics: Chance
Activity: Fog of War
Assignment: Complete Fog of War and documentation (group)

February 15 - Week 6
Topics: Skill, strategy, and “twitch”
Activity: Skill Challenge
Assignment: Complete Skill Challenge and documentation (group)

February 22 - Week 7
Topics: Narratology versus ludology, systems design
Activity: Story Time
Assignment: Complete Story Time and documentation (group) and preliminary portfolio (individual)

March 1 - Week 8: Midterm

Topics: Genres, IP, sequels, and marketing
Activity: Inflicted IP
Assignment: Complete Inflicted IP and documentation (group)

March 8 - Week 9
Topics: Multiplayer gameplay, cooperative versus competitive
Activity: Make It Multiplayer
Assignment: Complete Make It Multiplayer and documentation (group)

March 15 - Week 10: Spring Break

March 22 - Week 11
Topics: Serious games
Activity: Inspire Me
Assignment: Complete Inspire Me and documentation (group)

March 29 - Week 12
Topics: Educational games
Activity: Teach Me
Assignment: Complete Teach Me and documentation (group)
April 5 - Week 13
Topics: Casual games
Activity: Casual Challenge
Assignment: Complete Casual Challenge and documentation (group)

April 12 - Week 14
Topics: Social and mobile games
Activity: Social Challenge
Assignment: Complete Social Challenge and documentation (group)

April 19 - Week 15
Topics: The games industry
Activity: Choose final game and begin design
Assignment: Continue development and playtesting (group)

April 26 - Week 16
Topics: Work day
Activity: Continue development and playtesting
Assignment: Polish final game prototype; produce final documentation (group) and portfolio (individual)

May 3 - Week 17: Reading Day

May 10 - Week 18: Last Day

Activity: Final presentations and gameplay

Grading Policy:

Participation 10%
Game Challenges 50%
Final Portfolio 15%
Final Game 25%

Course & Instructor Policies

Late assignments are not accepted. In exceptional cases, alternate assignments may be provided.

Students are responsible for determining what assignments they miss if they are absent.

Requirements and schedule are subject to change at the discretion of the instructors (all changes will be furnished to
students in writing).

Information on university policies and procedures: http://go.utdallas.edu/syllabus-policies