Game Development Essentials (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

This course is based on the Online material "Create with Code" presented by Unity. Each week will contain onsite supporting lectures for each week topic and contemporary game technologies and game industry news.
70% mandatory participation for lectures and lab sessions.

Students will be expected to work through the material according to the following schedule:
- 03.09.2024: Course introduction and Setting up Unity
- 10.09.2024.Create with Code...Unit 1
- 17.09.2024: Create with Code...Unit 2
- 24.09.2024: Concept presentation of personal project, peer evaluation
- 01.10.2024: Create with Code...Unit 3
- 08.10.2024: Create with Code...Unit 4
- 15.10.2024: Independent work on your personal project
- 22.10.2024: Create with Code...Unit 5
- 29.10.2024: Create with Code...Unit 6
- 5.11.2024: Prototype presentation of personal project. Peer evaluation.
- 12.11.2024: Jami's lecture on X
- 19.11.2024: Jami's lecture on Y
- 26.11.2024: Independent work on your game
- 03.12.2024: Finalize your game
- 10.12.2024: Final game presentations

Objective

After completing the module, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate their understanding the various dimensions (physical, temporal, environmental and emotional) that describe a game world by making use of an appropriate terrain editor to create a limited game world
- Develop a game narrative with scripted dialog for a given game idea or concept
- Understand and manage the complexities of game interface design
- Define core mechanics and explain their role in creating an entertainment experience
- Map out the level design and game balancing process and show an awareness of problems that need to be avoided in the level design process
- Incorporate visual, behavioural and audible character attributes in order to create a compelling and believable character with an industry recognised modelling tool

Content

- Game standard terrain editor
- Creative writing and dialog design tools
- Industry standard processes for designing user interfaces
- Design principles for level and game balancing layouts
- Character design principles and appropriate game art tools

Materials

Unity - Create with Code
https://learn.unity.com/course/create-with-code

Teaching methods

The course will be delivered through onsite sessions at Campus and the core learning will take place in a tutorial fashion.

Although peer-assisted learning is encouraged, students are expected to produce individual deliverable (in other words, no group work).

The course will be using Itslearning as the learning platform and teaching sessions will held in the campus.
Each Tuesday Support is available during the laboratory hours and the student's progress is monitored on weekly base.

Exam schedules

No exam dates;
This course does not have any retake possibilities. Failing the course means that students will have to repeat it the following year.

Students will be required to present their game projects in 3 milestones:
26.09.2023 - Concept project design document presentation of personal project and peer evaluation
07.11.2023 - Prototype presentation of personal project and peer evaluation
12.12.2023 - Final game presentation and peer evaluation

The concept presentations are for monitoring student progress and used as the basis of formative feedback. If you miss this milestone, one grade point will be deducted from the final grade.

The final game presentation is mandatory - failure to present this will cause the student to fail the course

International connections

This course leans on CDIO principles and takes a project-based learning approach.

Completion alternatives

Competence demonstration, ff you have experience from industry or experience that is compatible with the course content. Discuss with the lecturer to arrange the demonstration.

Student workload

This course requires students to work 135 hours and is divided as follows:
- Contact sessions and presentations: 20 to 30 hours
- Independent tutorial work: 40 to 50 hours
- Developing your own game: 60 to 70 hours
All course work is individual

Students will be required to present their game projects in 3 milestones:
24.09.2024 - Concept project design document presentation of personal project and peer evaluation
05.11.2024 - Prototype presentation of personal project and peer evaluation
10.12.2024 - Final game presentation and peer evaluation

The concept presentations are for monitoring student progress and used as the basis of formative feedback. If you miss this milestone, one grade point will be deducted from the final grade.

The final game presentation is mandatory - failure to present this will cause the student to fail the course.

Further information

Course lecturers will be present onsite every week during the allocated timetable slot.
The first 30-60 minutes of each session will be used to:
- Share game industry news
- Highlight some of the latest development trends and technologies
- Open more topics from Create With Code and Unity Learn
- Introduce and Demonstrate tools that can help develop content for your personal project
- Respond to general student queries

The remaining time of each session will be an opportunity for students to work on their own games and seeking assistance and support from the lecturer.

Lecturers will review student progress with the Unity tutorial work on a weekly basis.