Prerequisite: C243 Data Structures or equivalent.

Reference Textbooks:

• E. Angel (2008): Interactive Computer Graphics: A Top-Down Approach Using OpenGL, 5th edition, Addison Wesley, or any recent OpenGL reference book.
• Y.-L. Wong (2009) Digital Media Primer, Pearson Education / Prentice Hall, or any recent book on ActionScript.

Grading system:

• About 10 homework assignments 20 points each
• 1 midterm essay 30 points
• 1 Project 50 points

Guidelines for assignments:

• The assignments will be posted on the course web page.
• The assignments are due at midnight of the due date.
• The programming assignments are turned in by email.
• No homework accepted after 2 weeks from the due date. A homework turned in 1 week late loses 25% of the points. A homework turned in 2 weeks late loses 50% of the points.
• Reasonable expectations concerning the program structure and clarity: functions should be commented and should not contain more than 20 lines of code. Multiple source files are expected when appropriate.

Programming environment:

• OS: MacOS, Linux, labs NS #165, NS#207, and NS#209. Access with student ID card.
• Languages/APIs: ActionScript, C++, Objective C, OpenGL, others to be announced later.
• Compiler/Interpreter: Flash, Xcode, g++.

Syllabus

1. Introduction

a. Motivation, types of games
b. History of computer games

2. Graphical libraries and models.

a. Introduction to ActionScript and Flash
b. Introcudtion to Objective C
c. Review/Introduction to OpenGL
d. Object-oriented programming in games
e. Event-based programming
f. Real-time graphical programming
g. Sound management

3. Game development cycle

a. Basic idea and game rules
b. Storyline
c. Interface, game controls, play mode

4. Game engines

a. Definition and role of a game engine.
b. Building the game skeleton.
c. Building a game from an existing engine.
d. Popular game APIs for various platforms.

5. Motion generation, collision detection, and animation techniques.
6. Elements of artificial intelligence in games.
7. Autonomous characters and behavior.
8. Multi-player and persistent state games, networking aspects.
9. Social aspects of game design and playing.

Documentation

M. Morrison (2004): Beginning Game Programming, Sams.

A. Kirmse (2004): Game Programming Gems 4, Charles River Media.

M. Collins (2001): Linux game programming, Prima Tech.

J. R. Hall, Loki Software (2001): Programming Linux Games, Loki Software Inc., No Starch.

J. D. Funge (2004): AI for Games and Animation, A. K. Peters, Natick, Massachusetts.

J. H. Conway (2000): On Numbers and Games, 2^nd edition, A. K. Peters, Wellesley, Massachusetts.

G. Maestri (1999): Digital Character Animation 2, New Riders.