ETEK 301 - Building Virtual Worlds (3) CRN: 10130 T/Th 11:30A-1:20P DA 201 - ET Lab
Prof. Bary W Pollack Email: bpollack@sierranevada.edu Office: RA 203 Office Hours: M/W 3:30-5:00P,
T/R 1:30-3:00P Prof. Susan Gold Email: sgold@sierranevada.edu Office: DA 203 Office Hours: W 2-6:00P
Course Description: This course extends a student’s ability to design and implement virtual worlds using both graphical and programmatic tools. During the course every student will construct several worlds, using a variety of techniques. Originality and creativity are emphasized. This is a project-oriented class where students are required to work in small teams. There will be a field trip to the Game Developer’s Conference in San Jose, CA, requiring 100% participation and attendance.
Student Outcomes:
· Exercise the skills needed to create virtual worlds
· Demonstrate an understanding of the general programming concepts and methods for creating virtual worlds
· Demonstrate an understanding of a visual language for representing virtual worlds and implementing them
· Produce and manipulate digital imagery created both graphically and through programming
· Organize, plan and complete major projects
· Research and investigate artistic and programming uses within interactive media
· Evaluate and identify current artistic and commercial trends as related to the field
· Communicate with peers and effectively critique work
Instructional Strategies: This class will utilize lectures and demonstrations, small groups, individual work in class (sometimes using laptop computers), inquiry learning, and homework assignments.
Field Trip: Date: Fourth week of March, 2003. Participation is mandatory as the class revolves around the subjects dealt with during the trip. Students on the field trip will be expected to attend and be on time for all meetings and activities. Grade penalties will be assessed for arriving late and non-attendance. Your field trip fee will cover the cost of transportation, accommodations, entrance fees, all lunches and two dinners. The field trip fee is non refundable after the last drop day, January 26, 2004. Free time will be available during the trip.
Required Text:
Chris
Crawford on Game Design; by Chris Crawford, Publisher: New Riders Press, Inc.;
ISBN: 0-13-146099-4; 1st edition (June, 2003)
Resources: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~dcwillia/Gamepages.html
Grading: Your grade will be based upon the following: (1) Your individual participation during class; (2) Writing assignments and other homework assignments; (3) Test(s) and/or quizzes; (4) Your contribution to your group’s projects; (5) Your Final Group Project.
Attendance: If you miss more than three (3) classes without a written doctor's excuse, your grade will drop by one letter (i.e., from an A to a B). This will continue for every three classes missed. If you are tardy by more than 20 minutes or leave class early by 30 or more minutes, this will count as an absence. If you are late (less than 20 minutes) to class you will receive a late mark, every three late marks will count as one unexcused absence.
Incompletes and In-Progress: No incompletes or in-progress grades (I/IP) will be awarded. If you must drop, please do so before the official last day to withdraw without penalty date, March 9, 2004.
Special Accommodations: In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, SNC can accommodate most special needs. Students with a documented physical or learning disability (documentation must be on file with the Director of Student Services prior to the beginning of the semester) may request accommodations by contacting the Student Assistance Coordinator at x4042.
Policies and Procedures: These policies are presented in an effort to provide you with as much guidance as possible regarding how to deal with this course. If you have a question about the proper interpretation of anything in this Syllabus, handouts, or anything presented during class, please discuss your question with us at the earliest opportunity. We will make every effort to ensure that all policies are clear, unambiguous and fair.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is not tolerated in any class. Please refer to the SNC Catalog page 41 for the academic policy and repercussions.
Student Responsibilities: Leaving your work on the desktop will not be safe. It is recommended that you purchase a Zip disk.
PRELIMINARY SCHEDULE
This is a preliminary schedule of subjects to be covered. As opportunities arise, we reserve the right to alter the order and to add to or subtract from this syllabus. This document is a “work in progress,” and it will be updated throughout the semester.
Week 1 - Jan 20/22
Review of Syllabus
Review of Current Games
Read Chapters 1-5
Week 2 - Jan 27/29
Creation of Timeline of projects
Reach Chapters 6-8
Week 3 - Feb 3/5
Read Chapters 11-12
Unreal 2003 lessons
Week 4 - Feb 10/12
Project Development
Week 5 - Feb 17/19
Business Plans
Week 6 - Feb 24/26
Prep for GDC
Week 7 - Mar 2/4
TBA
Week 8 - Mar 9/11
Midterm
TEST
Week 9 - Mar 16/18
Spring Break
Week 10 - Mar 23/25
GDC
Week 11 - Mar 30/Apr 1
GDC Debrief
Week 12 - Apr 6/8
TBA
Week 13 - Apr 13/15
Term Paper Due
Week 14 - Apr 20/22
Beta of Games
Bug Reports
Week 15 - Apr 27/29
Bug Status
Week 16 - May 4/6
Final Show
Finals Week