Introduction to Game Design and Development

Course:

GAME 1303: Introduction to Game Design and Development

Section:

3 credit hours; Fall 2008; Section 8501 W 5:40pm to 9:30pm; Room T250

Instructor:

Tuan Ho
Richland phone: 972-238-6140 (Adjunct Faculty Office) - leave message
Office Number: A110 - ACCESS Office
Office Hours: (if any)
Mail Box Location: A110 - ACCESS Office

Prerequisite:

none

Course Description:

Introduction to electronic game development and game development careers. Includes examination of history and philosophy of games, the game production process, employee factors for success in the field, and current issues and practices in the game development industry.

End-of-Course Outcomes:

After successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:

  • Describe the history and evolution of video and computer games and game genres;
    identify the phases and processes involved in developing a computer game; design a simple computer game from initial concept to final design document; and describe current trends in the game industry with regards to hiring practices, working conditions, etc.

SCANS Skills:

The Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills (SCANS) was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to determine the skills people need to succeed in the world of work. Richland College is determined to prepare you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in today’s dynamic work environment. Towards this goal, these workplace competencies and foundation skills have been designed into the curriculum for this course:

  • Organizes and Maintains Information
  • Applies Technology to Task - understands overall intent and proper procedures for setup and operation of equipment
  • Maintains and Troubleshoots Equipment - prevents, identifies, or solves problems with equipment, including computers and other technologies
  • Listening - receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages and other cues

Required Lab:

Students are required to spend at least 2 extra hours per week outside of class working on student projects. Lab assistants and faculty are usually in the lab to answer questions, however multimedia tutoring is not available in the lab.

Lab Hours:

The Multimedia Learning Center (972-238-6001) is located in Thunderduck Hall, T246. 

Hours for the Fall semester are:

  • Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 9:45 pm
  • Friday: 9:00 am to 4:45 pm
  • Saturday: 12:00 pm to 4:45 pm

Hours for the Spring semester are:

  • Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 9:45 pm
  • Friday: 9:00 am to 4:45 pm
  • Saturday: 12:00 pm to 4:45 pm

Hours for the Summer semester are:

  • Monday - Thursday: 9:00 am to 9:45 pm
  • Friday: 9:00 am to 4:45 pm
  • Saturday/Sunday: closed

All Multimedia (credit and continuing education) students must show a Student ID Card to use the lab and check out any equipment.  IDs are available at the Student ID Office, T141.

Textbooks and Supplies:

Required Textbook:

Game Development Essentials: Game Project Management by Hight/Novak

ISBN: 1418015415

Available at Amazon.com

 

Required Supplies:

Pen/Pencil

Notebook/Sketchbook

Archive materials (cd, dvd, flash drive, etc..)

Course Outline:

Lecture/Unit

Chapter
(if book is used)

Quiz

Assignment

1: Module 1

 

 

Project 1

2: Module 2

 

 

Project 2

3: Module 3 

 

 

Project 3

4: Module 4

 

 

Project 4

5: Module 5 

 

 

Project 5

6: Module 6

 

 

Project 6

 

Grading Procedure:

Grading Legend

A = 90 - 100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F = 0 - 59

Points Breakdown

Project 1-6 – 15 points each
Attendance and Class Participation – 10 points
TOTAL - 100 points

PLEASE NOTE! Grade reports are no longer mailed.  Convenient access is available online or by telephone.  Use your student identification number when you log in to eConnect or call Touch Tone Services. 
Web Site address: http://econnect.dcccd.edu/ Telephone number:  972-613-1818.

Academic Calendar:

Calendar for all Monday - Thursday courses

Drop Date:

September 8 (M)  is the last day to drop from this course without receiving an automatic "W" and without the course reflecting on your transcript.

Withdrawal Date:

November 13 (R)  is the last day to withdraw from this course with an automatic "W".

Withdrawal Policy:

If you are unable to complete this course, it is your responsibility to withdraw formally. The withdrawal request must be received in the Registrars Office by the semester's withdrawal date. Failure to do so will result in your receiving a performance grade, usually an F. If you drop a class or withdraw from the college before the official drop/withdrawal deadline, you will receive a W(Withdraw) in each class dropped.

You may drop a course at the Admissions Office (T170), the Advising Center (T180) or the BTEC Advising Center (T162). Please consult with your instructor if you are thinking of dropping the course.

For more information about drop deadlines, refer to the current printed Credit Class Schedule, contact the Admissions/Student Records office at 972-238-6100 or 6101 (Thunderduck Hall, T170), or contact the division office.

Six Drop Policy:

STOP BEFORE YOU DROP!

For students who enrolled in college level courses for the first time in the fall of 2007, Texas Education Code 51.907 limits the number of courses a student may drop.

You may drop no more than six (6) courses during your entire undergraduate career unless the drop qualifies as an exception. Your campus counseling/advising center will give you more information on the allowable exceptions.

Remember that once you have accumulated six (6) non-exempt drops, you cannot drop any other courses with a “W”. Therefore, please exercise caution when dropping courses in any Texas public institution of higher learning, including all seven of the Dallas County Community Colleges. For more information, you may access: https://www1.dcccd.edu/6drop

Repeating this Course:

Effective for Fall Semester 2005, the Dallas County Community Colleges will charge additional tuition to students registering the third or subsequent time for a course. All third and subsequent attempts of the majority of credit and Continuing Education/Workforce Training courses will result in additional tuition to be charged. Developmental Studies and some other courses will not be charged a higher tuition rate. Third attempts include courses taken at any of the Dallas County Community Colleges since the Fall 2002 Semester. See Third Attempt to Enroll in a Course at http://www.dcccd.edu/thirdcourseattempt/%20

Academic Honesty:

Scholastic dishonesty is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

As a college student, you are considered a responsible adult. Your enrollment indicates acceptance of the DCCCD Code of Student Conduct published in the DCCCD Catalog. https://www1.dcccd.edu/cat0506/ss/code.cfm

Disability Accommodation:

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance: Students requesting accommodations due to the presence of a disability must identify themselves to the instructor the first week of classes and provide documentation defining the accommodation needs from the Disability Services Office in Thunderduck Hall, T120.

Attention Financial Aid Students:

If you are receiving any form of financial aid, you should check with the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from classes. Withdrawals may affect your eligibility to receive further aid and could cause you to be in a position of repayment for the current semester. Students who fail to attend or participate after the drop date are also subject to this policy.

Classroom Policies:

Please read the following classroom policies listed below.

Attendance Policy:

While Richland College does not have a formal attendance policy, students are expected to attend class regularly. If you know you will be missing class(es) this semester, please speak to your instructor about day(s) you will be missing so you can receive information on the lesson(s) and assignment(s) you will miss.

If you are unable to attend class, please email the instructor or leave a message for the instructor at the Adjunct Faculty Office at (972) 238-6140 BEFORE THE CLASS BEGINS. 

Students who will be absent from class for the observance of a religious holiday will be allowed to makeup examinations or assignments missed that day IF their instructor was notified not later than the 15th day of the semester.  Please refer to the college catalog Student Obligations -- Attending Classes section.

It is imperative students arrive to class on time and remain in class the entire session each week.

Food and Drink Policy:

Except where otherwise determined by a faculty member, no eating or drinking is allowed in the classroom. 

Web Server Posting Policy:

The Richland Student Web Server is open to all users of the World Wide Web. Any information students or instructors place in their files is readable by any user of the World Wide Web.

Computer/Internet Use Policy:

Currently enrolled Richland College students have access to the Multimedia Lab and classroom computers for Multimedia educational and instructional purposes only.Please use the Del Rio Computer Lab for non-multimedia activities.

Students using their own laptops must use the wireless connection in the Thunderduck Hall building and cannot use the Multimedia lab and classroom computer data lines to access the Internet.

You are required to show your Richland Student ID when requested by lab personnel.  You are expected to follow lab policies as well as the Student Code of Conduct specified in the catalog.

Safety Policy:

Students should participate in this class in a safe, appropriate manner.  We occasionally have to step over cords for the multimedia cart and/or computer equipment.  We also need to watch out for boxes and paper, students’ backpacks, etc.  Students should begin to build good computing habits, designed to prevent eyestrain, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.

Handheld Devices Policy:

Please turn OFF all electronic devices during class.

Participation Policy:

Course participation is required. Ask questions and be involved with the lesson.

Students should not surf the Net, play games, send emails or work on unrelated homework/projects during class. Students should not disturb your neighbors during lectures and demos.

End of Each Class Policy (for face-to-face classes):

When you leave class for the day, please...

  1. Delete all your files from your workstation and empty the trash.
  2. Shut down your computer using Windows Shut Down.
  3. Turn off your monitor after computer has COMPLETELY shut down.
  4. Pick up and throw away any trash around your seat.

Attention Continuing Education Students:

To receive a certificate for this course, you must make a grade of "C" or higher as a final grade. A grade average of 69% or lower is failing.

Continuing Education will not mail your certificate to you. If you do not receive your certificate the last day of class you will have to pick up your certificate at the Continuing Education Front Desk, T160.

Multimedia Web Site:

http://www.richlandcollege.edu/multimedia

The Multimedia Learning Center is part of the Richland College Business and Information Technology Division.

Disclaimer reserving right to change syllabus:

The instructor reserves the right to amend this syllabus as necessary.

Student Acknowledgement:

Please download, read and sign this Student Acknowledgement and turn it in to your instructor.