SYLLABUS
SGD212 Game Design II
Spring 2009
Faculty Information:
Instructor: Dr. Lewis Pulsipher
Office Location: None
Office Hours: None
Phone: 910 488 7277 (home phone, don’t abuse it)
Email: ftccsgd@gmail.com
Class Times and Locations: ATC 229. TTh 10-1
Course Description: The course covers the advanced principles of simulation
and game design. Topics include advanced design concepts in simulation and
game development. Upon completion, students should be able to design an
advanced simulation or game.
Prerequisites: SGD 112, Game Design I
Co-requisites: None
Required Textbooks: Fundamentals of Game Design, by Andrew Rollings &
Ernest Adams, ISBN-10:0131687476 or ISBN-13: 9780131687479 . (Same
book as for 112)
Web page for Dr. Pulsipher’s classes (required reading): Pulsipher.net/SGD
Other required materials/software: USB flash drive or other means of backing
up anything you do. Any proprietary programs you may specifically wish to use
for “mods.”
Program/Course Learning Objectives:
1. Understand the great importance of cooperation in video game
design
2. Create mods of video games
3. Create a limited game design document
4. Create a non-electronic game, start to finish
5. Know the advantages and disadvantages (for the modder) of
many game engines and moddable games
6. Understand aspects of video games peculiar to certain genres
FTCC Grading Scale:
Syllabus for SGD 212
FTCC grades are based on a 4.0 grading system. Each grade is assigned a
“grade-point equivalent” in quality points for each term credit hour scheduled.
Numerical Grade
93 – 100
A – Excellent
85 – 92
B – Good
77 – 84
C – Average
70 – 76
D – Below Average
0 – 69
F – Failure
The complete grading scale description may be found in the Academic Life
section of the College Catalog or on the FTCC website at:
http://www.faytechcc.edu/ftcccatalog/pdfs/academiclife.pdf
Course Requirements/Methods of Evaluation:
Participation in class is very important. I expect the class to be interactive, just
as games are. If you don’t play games much, you won’t be very good at them. If
you don’t come to class and participate, you don’t learn as much as you should.
Insofar as we’ll be learning some software, participation is naturally very
important. There will be many group and individual projects in class that are
included in the participation grade.
You will have one paper to write. This will be a limited-length game design
document for a full-blown video game.
You will individually create and playtest a non-electronic game.
There will be tests. These will include true-false, multiple choice, short answer,
and short essay questions. This is your opportunity to show that you’re learning.
These are NOT like the typical high school test where you regurgitate memorized
information. This is college, education rather than training, and you’re expected
to THINK! Life is an essay test, not multiple choice. If you haven’t paid attention
and participated in class, if you haven’t read what I’ve asked you to read, if you
don’t have your brain in gear when you take the test, then you’re unlikely to do at
all well. “Cramming” at the last minute isn’t likely to work. “Forewarned is
forearmed.”
DO NOT miss the day of a test. You’ll need to prove to me that you had no
choice (and I’ll think like an employer, so lots of “reasons” won’t do) to avoid
getting a zero for the test.
Overall:
10% Class participation and in-class group and individual projects
10% Individual limited-length game design document (outside project)
Syllabus for SGD 212
10%
15%
10%
10%
15%
20%
Evaluation of software to make limited video games or video game mods
Group video game project
Individual video/game mod 1
Individual video/game mod 2
Individual non-electronic game or extreme variant (outside project)
Tests: midterm 10% and final test 10%
An “A” is a mark of excellence, not “I did what you told me to do”. Employers
want employees who go beyond what’s required, and an “A” should indicate that
you’ve gone beyond the mere requirements. No, there is no “extra credit” as
such, either. It’s a matter of doing particularly well all that you do.
Student Attendance Policy:
Each student is expected to attend class regularly - - at least 80 percent of all
scheduled contact hours. If absences exceed 20 percent, the faculty member
may drop the student from the course at any point during the term.
More
information
on
attendance
may
be
found
at
http://www.faytechcc.edu/ftcccatalog/pdfs/academiclife.pdf or for this
specific course, in the Course Procedures section of the syllabus.
Student Code of Conduct:
Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with generally
accepted standards of scholarship and conduct. The purpose of this code is not
to restrict student rights but to protect the rights of individuals in their academic
pursuits. Students should review the Student Code of Conduct in the “Student
Rights” section of the FTCC Catalog at the Fayetteville Technical Community
College website:
http://www.faytechcc.edu/ftcccatalog/pdfs/studentrights.pdf
Academic Integrity In addition to good academic performance, students should
exhibit honesty and integrity. If there is any question that academic honesty and
integrity are not honored, students may be required to redo assignments in the
presence of an instructor-selected monitor. Proof of dishonesty, including
plagiarism, will make students subject to disciplinary action. Please consult your
college catalog for more information.
Americans With Disabilities Act:
Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this
class are encouraged to contact the Office of Special Populations, located in
Room 143 of the Student Center, as soon as possible to better ensure that such
accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion. You may also contact
Vande Wilson, Special Populations Coordinator, at (910) 678-8479 or through
email at wilsonv@faytechcc.edu
More information may be found in the college catalog:
http://www.faytechcc.edu/ftcccatalog/pdfs/studentlife.pdf
Syllabus for SGD 212
Nondiscrimination Statement:
Fayetteville Technical Community College does not practice nor condone
discrimination in any form against students, employees, or applicants on the
grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age disability or political
affiliation. Fayetteville Technical Community College commits itself to positive
action to secure equal opportunity regardless of those characteristics. View the
full Nondiscrimination Statement at
http://www.faytechcc.edu/StudentHandbook/handbook/crime.pdf
Make-up Policies
Please see the Course Procedures section for the make-up policy for this
specific course.
Safety and Security
The college is very concerned about protecting its students, employees, and
visitors at all campus locations. Students can help the college protect everyone
by reporting immediately any threats received or heard to their instructors,
security, or any college staff member. The college always takes steps to protect
students who have reason to believe that they are in any type of danger. Also,
students should remember to keep their belongings in secure places and to
report any suspicious activities to college officials.
“TOGETHER, WE CAN HELP OUR CAMPUS TO BE A SAFER PLACE.”
SECURITY – MAIN CAMPUS: 678-8433
CELL (AFTER 5 PM AND WEEKENDS): 624-5959
BEEPER (AFTER 5 PM AND WEEKENDS): 825-6924
OR USE THE EMERGENCY CALL BOXES LOCATED AROUND CAMPUS
Division/Department/Program Chair Information:
Name: Kenneth Kleiner
Telephone: 910 678 8572 or 8347
Email address: kleinerk@faytechcc.edu
Syllabus for SGD 212