Digital Gaming and Simulation
Course Syllabus
Level Design II
GAME 1378 - 1
Semester with
Course Reference
Number (CRN)
57939
Fall 2011
Instructor contact
information
(phone number
and email
address)
Christopher Khuong
(713) 718 - 6743
Email: christopher.khuong@hccs.edu
Learning Webpage: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/christopher.khuong
Office Location
and Hours
Office Hours: by appointment
Office: C122
Course
Location/Times
Monday/Wednesday 2:00pm – 4:30pm
West Loop Room C124
Course Semester
Credit Hours
(SCH) (lecture,
lab) If applicable
Credit Hours
2.00
Lecture Hours
4.00
Laboratory Hours
Total Course
Contact Hours
96
Continuing
Education Units
(CEU): if
applicable
N/A
Course Length
(number of
weeks)
16
Type of
Instruction
Lecture/Lab
HCC – GAME 1378 - 1 - Level Design II
Page 1
Course
Description:
Intermediate approach to the tools and concepts used to create levels for games and
simulations. Incorporates an intermediate exploration of level design, architectural theory,
concepts of critical path and flow, balancing, play testing, and storytelling. Includes
utilization of toolsets from industry tiles.
Course
Prerequisite(s)
Departmental Approval
Game 1304 – Level Design I
Academic
Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
* Prepare a design document for a solo game
* Develop a game or simulation based on the solo design documentation
* Jointly develop the design documentation for a team project
* Develop a game or simulation based on the team design documentation
Course Student
Learning
Outcomes (SLO):
4 to 7
1. Define and identify the necessary tools and assets used in the game
development industry.
2. Understand the purpose of a game modification.
3. Apply basic level design skills to a different level editing software.
4. Apply basic modifications through the use of importing custom mesh and
textures.
5. Analyze industry prepared products and adopt the same principles.
6. Create and design custom levels.
7. Evaluate assignments and progress.
Learning
Objectives
(Numbering
system should be
linked to SLO e.g., 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
etc.)
1.1 Learn and use the new interface.
2.1 Learn about game mods.
3.1, 4.1, 5.1 Adapt to new principles with old principles.
6.1 Create your own custom level with different software.
7.1 Evaluation of student’s progress.
SCANS and/or
Core Curriculum
Competencies: If
applicable
SCANS
Course Calendar
This calendar is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion. Students
C5
C-7
C-12
C14
C-19
F2
F-6
F-8
F13
F-14
F12
F-7
F5
F1
C-15
C13
C-8
C-6
Acquires and Evaluates Information
Interprets and Communicates Information
Exercises Leadership
Works with Cultural Diversity
Apply Technology to task
Writing
Speaking
Decision making
Exhibits Personal Qualities
Self-esteem
Demonstrates Thinking Skills
Creative thinking
Listening
Reading
Understands systems
Negotiates to Arrive at a Decision
Uses Computers to Process Information
Organizes and Maintains Information
HCC – GAME 1378 - 1 - Level Design II
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will be immediately notified if for any reason the schedule changes.
DATE
WEEK
1
Aug. 29 & 31st
2
Sept. 5th &
7th
3
Sept. 12th &
14th
4
Sept. 19th &
21st
5
Sept. 26th &
28th
HCC – GAME 1378 - 1 - Level Design II
AGENDA
Syllabus
Student Evaluation
Introduction to the Software: Unreal 3
Editor
Preview/Review: Bioshock series,
Unreal 3 Tournament, Rainbow Six
Las Vegas, Mirror’s Edge,
Borderlands, America's Army 3.0,
American McGee's Grimm, Army of
Two, Batman: Arkham Asylum, DC
Universe Online, Hunted: The
Demon's Forge, Gears of War series,
Mass Effect series, Section 8, Stargate
Worlds, The Last Remnant,
Splintercell: Conviction,
Transformers: War for Cybertron,
Global Agenda, X-Men Origins:
Wolverine.
UDK Demo: Dungeon Defense,
Sanctum, Hazard: The Journey of
Life, Bounty Arms, AFF: Planestorm,
Prometheus
Introduction to Unreal 3 Interface
Homework: TBA
Introduction to Unreal 3 Interface
(cont.)
Generic/Content Browser
Viewmenu, Viewport Configurations
CSG Add/Sub, Understanding BSP
Find Actors
Homework: TBA
Creating a Basic Level
Static Mesh
Geometry Mode
Introduction to Matinee
Homework: TBA
Lighting
Introduction to Kismet
Door/Matinee
Homework: TBA
Importing Materials
Terrain
Homework: TBA
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6
Oct. 3rd &
Oct. 5th
7
Oct. 10th &
Oct 12th
8
Oct 17th &
Oct. 19th
9
10
11
12
13
15
16
17
15
Oct. 24th &
26th
Oct. 31st &
2nd
Nov. 7th &
9th
Nov. 14th &
16th
Nov. 21st &
23rd
Nov. 24th27th
Nov. 28th &
30
Dec. 5th &
7th
Dec. 12th &
14th
Ambient Sound
Setting up crowds
Homework: TBA
Custom Textures
Custom Mesh
Homework: TBA
Cinematics
Milestones/Final Map Plan
Aesthetics vs. Technical
Milestone 1 - Props
Milestone 1 - Props (continued)
Milestone 2 - Materials
Milestone 2 - Materials (continued)
Milestone 3 - Particles and Sound
Holiday: Thanksgiving
Start Final Project
Continue Final Project
Final Project Due
Instructional
Methods
Face to Face
Student
Assignments
Level creation, importing textures and making custom materials, basic scripting
Student
Assessment(s)
Finals and projects
Instructor's
Requirements
Program/Disciplin NO late assignments will be given credit, even if you are absent, unless
e Requirements: If previous arrangements were made with the instructor. No assignments will be
applicable
accepted after the last day of instruction.
NO make-up exams will be given, even if you are absent, unless previous
arrangements were made with the instructor.
HCC – GAME 1378 - 1 - Level Design II
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HCC Grading
Scale
A = 100- 90
4 points per semester hour
B = 89 - 80:
3 points per semester hour
C = 79 - 70:
2 points per semester hour
D = 69 - 60:
1 point per semester hour
59 and below = F
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress)
0 points per semester hour
W(Withdrawn)
0 points per semester hour
I (Incomplete)
0 points per semester hour
AUD (Audit)
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must
re-enroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing
education courses. To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade
points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM"
and "I" do not affect GPA.
See "Health Science Program/Discipline Requirements" for grading scale.
Instructor Grading The grade for the semester will be determined as follows:
Criteria
Item
60%
40%
Percent
Milestones
Final Project
Total
Instructional
Materials
100%
1. UnrealEd - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UnrealEd
2. UnrealEd Wiki - http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/
3. UDK Download - http://www.udk.com/download
4. UDK Unreal Developer Network:
http://udn.epicgames.com/Three/DevelopmentKitHome.html
HCC Policy Statement:
Access Student
Services Policies
on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies
Access DE
Policies on their
Web site:
http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.
pdf
Access CE
Policies on their
Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines
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