CS 3540
at
UVU
Dr. Brian Durney
Computing and Networking Sciences
Why Game Programming?
It’s fun!
(Most of the time)
It’s also a whole lot of work:
• game design
• software design and implementation
• art, music, sound, writing
• testing
Nine Billion Dollars
Computer games are a big industry.
"More money is spent on games than on
movies."
...but...
Research
Yes, real research:
Human-level AI’s Killer Application:
Interactive Computer Games
John E. Laird and Michael van Lent
University of Michigan
No, they’re not talking about chess.
My favorite things:
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Graphics Programming
Artificial Intelligence
Network Programming
Interesting Math Problems
Game Design
Writing and Art
What we will do this term:
• Graphics
• Game Design
• Game AI
Graphics
Unity
unity3d.com
Why Unity?
• Cross-platform Windows and Mac OS X
and Linux and iOS and Android and …
• Easy to use (for a game engine) but
powerful
• It’s free…or at least there is a free version
• Web browser plug-in
Assignment 1: Unity Box World Game
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User input
Image texture
3D model
Moving objects
Collision detection
Timer
A way to win
Game
Design
What makes a good game?
Game Review and Presentation
Look at a commercial game in terms of the
game design principles we discuss in
class.
Game AI
AIIDE
Artificial Intelligence in Interactive Digital
Entertainment
Story generator and director
• Automated dungeon master
– Creates map
– Creates plot/storyline
– Runs adventure
Easy, right?
Educational Games
What makes a
game educational?
What makes a
game fun?
THIS IS NOT A GAME
• AKA viral marketing?
• USC Film School:
http://www.argn.com/2011/12/reality_tr
ansforming_usc_film_students_freshman_
year_into_an_addictive_game/
• And even, sort of, the UVU library:
Library Craft
Fast Foot Challenge
• And light bikes, and …
Quest-o-Matic
Richard Bartle
http://www.aigamesnetwork.org/main:events:ainpc
Project
• I encourage groups of 2 to 3 students for
the project.
• Specialize in graphics, game AI, game
design.
• Complete
– Not necessarily a complete game, but should be a
complete game, tool, or library.
• Programming required
– Not just a level design
– I must be able to read your source code and play your
game.
Working with DGM
• Dinosaur racing, zombies, orc rugby
• Unity study group: CS514 M W 10 to 1
• Animation project class M W F 9 – 10
• DGM Game Design II M W aft/eve
– Sit in on Monday nights if you’d like
SIGGRAPH
AWARD
S
IGN
GDC
E3
IMAGINE CUP
Online game research/dev project
• Space theme
• Role-playing, strategy, 4x games
• Network programming
– Various clients: web, mobile, desktop, text
• Game AI
– Procedural story/quest generation, story
directing, procedural content
• Educational games
– Educational but still fun?
– Fun but still educational?