MA C138 Game Production and Workflow

CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION

This is a course in game design project planning and production through hands-on experience. Students will work in teams to design and complete a game project, providing each student with portfolio preparation.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will be able to

1. Construct a game design project concept.
2. Formulate a game design research plan to determine the audience and the user’s needs.
3. Organize the market research and technical research for a game design project.
4. Convene and assess a kick-off meeting.
5. Create a game design project concept abstract, information design, and interface design for a game.
6. Create, review and evaluate a game design project prototype.
7. Prepare a marketing and distribution plan for a game design project.
8. Prepare a game design project budget.
9. Evaluate and compare peer performance.

DETAILED TOPICAL OUTLINE

1. Concept and Planning (A-D)
   1. Management
   2. Concept
   3. Audience
   4. Content
   5. Market Research
   6. Technical Research
      
2. Design and Prototype (A-E)
   1. Kickoff Meeting
   2. Design Goals
   3. Information Design
   4. Art Direction
   5. Storyboard
   6. Navigational Map
   7. Prototype
   8. Tools and Engines
   9. Elements
   10. Programming
   11. User Testing
   12. Specifications and Standards
   13. Review and Evaluation
       
3. Production and Testing (F-I)
   1. Production Schedule
   2. Organizing Resources
   3. Geometry Production
   4. Behavior Production
   5. Art Production
   6. Audio Production
   7. Programming Production
   8. Documentation
   9. Packaging
   10. Testing
       
4. Mastering, Distribution and Follow-up (F, G)
   1. Physical Media Preparation
   2. Choosing Vendors
   3. Distribution Options
   4. Marketing
   5. Sales

LAB CONTENT DESCRIPTION

Students complete guided tutorials and work on assignments during lab.

METHODS OF PRESENTATION

Course instructional methods may include but are not limited to

1. Written lectures
2. Textbook tutorials
3. Asynchronous discussion
4. Synchronous and asynchronous video demonstration

ASSIGNMENTS AND METHODS OF EVALUATION

Assessment of student performance may include but is not limited to

1. Weekly creative exercises (A-I)
   Example: Students work in a team to design a usable game interface.
   
2. Creative projects (A-I)
   Example: Students work in a team to produce a game interface.
   
3. Final project (A-I)
   Example: Students synthesize skills developed over the course of the semester to produce and evaluate a game.

OUT OF CLASS ASSIGNMENTS

1. Weekly creative exercises
2. Creative projects

REQUIRED TEXTS

Reading assignments are required and may include but are not limited to

1. Rollings, A. & Ernest, A. E. (2003). Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game Design.
   New York, NY: New Riders.

5.25.2006

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