Course Syllabus

Game Development Lab A

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Semester & Location:

 Fall 2021 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines:

Computer Science, Mathematics, Design

Prerequisite:

One year of computer science and one mathematics course at university level. Knowledge of at least one programming language, preferably with object-oriented programming such as Java, C# or C++.

Corequisite Course:

Game Development: Programming and Practice

Faculty Members:

 Benno Lüders - benno.lueders@dis.com 

Program Director:

Susanne Goul Hovmand - sgh@dis.dk 

Time & Place:

Tuesdays and Fridays 10:05-11:25

Location: V23-400

 

Course Description:

In the lab component of the Game Development course, you will put into practice the theories and concepts you have discussed in the seminar section of the course. The semester begins with a crash course in Unity, an intuitive game development environment produced in Denmark that allows you to immediately tinker with a simple, existing game template and move on to develop simple 2D or 3D game designs of your own making. Simulating the Danish indie game community, which is characterized by small teams of 1-3 people rather than major game production conglomerates, you will work individually or in small groups throughout the semester. The games will be created using existing freely available game assets (graphics and sounds). The hands-on work in the Game Lab is supplemented with a mini game jam with Danish students at Vallekilde Højskole (see Game Development Syllabus)

 

After successful completion of the lab part of this course, you:

  • Use the Unity Editor to create interesting game levels
  • Create game scripts using C# and the Unity API
  • Understand the fundamentals of using 2D and 3D graphics
  • Are acquainted with advanced topics such as shaders, physics, AI, and Network based games.
  • Understand the process of game development from idea to beta version
  • Can apply theories and develop and test an actual game

Approach to Teaching:      

The lab is a continuation of the Game Development course and is a hands-on class with ample opportunities to try out - through trial and error - your skills as a game developer. Throughout the semester, you will be revising, developing and testing actual games. The Game Lab is intended to be a collaborative community and plenum discussions, and faculty and peer feedback sessions will be an important part of the learning.

Faculty

Benno Lüders, M.S (Game Technology, IT University of Copenhagen, 2016). Game enthusiast and Game Development all-rounder with focus on Game Programming. Assistant teacher at the royal academy of fine arts in Copenhagen (2015 - 2016). Tutor and teaching assistant at the IT University of Copenhagen (2015) and Hochschule Fulda (2011 - 2013). Backend Java developer at mobile game company Flaregames in Karlsruhe (2013 - 2014). With DIS since 2016.

Assessment:

  • Participation: 20%
  • 2D Platform Game: 30% (Lab Part: Code and project quality, Lab Journal)
  • Final Project: 50% (Lab Part: Code and project quality, Lab Journal)

Deliverables

2D Platform Game:

  • Class part
    • Unity web player build.
    • Analysis of the formal elements of the game.
    • Small game description and how to play, and game development diary (max ½ a page per week), where all major game design decisions and obstacles are described.
  • Lab part
    • Full Unity project including source code, assets and project settings.
    • Work schedule and a description of the implementation structure, showing the layout and interaction of the game logic.

Final Project:

  • Class part
    • Unity web player build.
    • A Game design document.
    • Small game description and how to play, and game development diary (max ½ a page per week), where all major game design decisions and obstacles are described.
  • Lab part
    • Full Unity project including source code, assets and project settings.
    • Work schedule and a description of the implementation structure, showing the layout and interaction of the game logic.

Tutorials and additional Unity information

For more readings and information, see syllabus for Game Development: Programming and Practice

 

Course Schedule (subject to change)

The course schedule is a combined schedule for the two co-requisite courses: ”Game Development: Programming & Practice” and “Game Development Lab”.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

Course Summary:

Date Details Due