Assignments/Due Dates
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1. Personal Game Archeology
due Jan 27

Archeology and analysis of personal gaming preferences from:
a. childhood and
b. today as an adult.
Research and present a short power point or html presentation and demonstration of your favorite game/toy as a child and why it was your favorite, and your favorite game/toy as an adult and why. Include a brief history of the origins of each game, and why this is/was a compelling game experience for you. Include references in your presentation—web links, documentation, the socio-political context of the game/toy you have chosen and its use.

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2. FPS / Virtual Violence Paradigm Challenge:
 Design Blitz Playable Prototype Individual Game #1
due Feb 3

Going beyond fps and virtual violence: can it be done? What could be as, or more compelling as killing or being killed? Individual students create new types of gaming experiences. Using your own experience and previous research from the Game Archeology study, you create a game within one week on your own.   Keep in mind the work of artists and ideas discussed in class, in addition to your readings and personal experience.

Deliverables:
- Concept Game Design Document  (see templates here: templates: Simple or Elaborate
-Game design structure template
- Constructions of Ernest Adams Design Philosophy: the physical space, the intellectual space, the emotional space, the economic space, and the ethical space of your game concept.
- Workable game prototype: prototypes are games in an embryonic state, something between a developed idea and a full game. Think of them as short studies or experiments. They should be playable or, at the very least, the mechanics should be evident. You can choose any tools and techniques you find most adequate to develop your ideas, including physical environments, paper, cardboard, digital games, etc.  Original ideas are more important than polished graphics and optimized code for this study.

Readings: due Feb 3
* Play as Design by Brenda Laurel Play as Design by Eric Zimmerman
* Ernest Adams Design Philosophy
* Experimental gameplay project - How to Prototype a Game in Under 7 Days
*create a short, one page, printed reaction paper to each of the above

 Readings: due Feb 10
* From Sun Tzu to Xbox: War and Video Games by Ed Halter
* Baudrillard and Hollywood: subverting the mechanism of control and The Matrix by Jim Rovira
* The Oxymoron of Virtual Violence, J. Baudrillard
*create a short, one page, printed reaction paper to each of the above

Optional Extra Credit Readings:
* Homo Ludens: A study of the Play Element in Culture by Johan Huizinga
* Man, Play, and Games by Roger Caillois

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3. & 4. FPS / Virtual Violence Paradigm Challenge:
 Design Blitz Playable Prototype TEAM Game #2
due Feb 17

Working collaboratively in temporary teams, (ideally creating a balanced team consisting of the following talents: visual artist, programmer, sound composer & designer, manager) create a basic game design document and playable prototype game or simulation for the future. The goal is to create a game which is just as, or more challenging and engaging than the typical fps game. Explore innovative games and, using a process known as scenario planning, share your information and judgment with your fellow teammates to create a picture of a future game that is larger than any individual could produce alone.

Each person in the group must detail their contributions.

Deliverables:
- Concept Game Design Document: see templates here: Simple or Elaborate
-Game design structure template
- Constructions of Ernest Adams Design Philosophy
- Workable game prototype

Readings: due Feb 17
* Lenoir-Lowood_TheatersOfWar
* Origins of FPS by Galloway
*create a short, one page, printed reaction paper for each of the above

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FINAL PROJECT TRAJECTORY from here on:

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5. Final Project: Experimental Game Trajectory: working with permanent teams
due Feb 24: Prototype 1 Concepts

Deliverables:
First iterations of your game design document see: Basic game design document 
or Advanced Game Design Document (you will build on this framework over the course of the semester as your refine and reiterate your game.)

Include the following:
* concept ideas and sketches
* storyboards
* rough Game Design Document (see templates here: Simple or Elaborate)
* Game design structure template with blocked out time frame of production
* list of technical information and methodologies of production: any necessary software, SDKs, and APIs, etc. needed.


Please remember that your completed game project is an innovative, original, purposeful work which goes beyond conventional style gaming paradigms and shows depth of creative goals, sensitivity to social issues, and quality of interaction. The game must be functional, or at the very least demonstrate some dynamic game play with a high end trailer illustrating the core game play concepts, and it must be accompanied by a completed, (web ready, stand alone) game design document and a well designed poster.

Readings:  reaction papers due Feb 24
 * Complete Freedom of Movement: Video Games as Gendered PlaySpaces by Henry Jenkins
*create a short, one page, printed reaction paper

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6. Phase I Proposal & Formal Group Presentation
due March 3

Readings: reaction papers due March 3
* Adams and Rollings, Creating the User Experience
* Adams and Rollings The Level Design Process
**create a short, one page, printed reaction paper for each

extra credit readings:
* The Construction of Experience: Interface as Content David Rokeby

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7. OFF for SPRING BREAK

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8. Phase II Reiteration
due March 17

Midterm assessments

Reality check on scope of project, semester schedule for everyone in the group including individual responsibilities and deadlines, more refined game design document, research with artist statement including treatment, narrative, more refined story board, and at least 5 citations of games/ websites/readings/ literature/ films that have influenced you.
(conceptual geography, maps, scenarios, trainers, strategies, symbolism, scoring, rules, etc.)

Related Readings: final project research readings in the history, theory, ethics, philosophy, practice, and  technical research as determined by your team and the instructor. Please list all research readings in your evolving game design document.

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9. Phase III Game Prototype & Formal Group Presentation
due March 24

Definitive schedule for entire project which will be used for milestones for further project development, continuation of incorporating critical feedback, game play, polishing and refinement of content, methodology, delivery system, and game design document

Related Readings: final project research readings

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10. Phase IV Game Content
due March 31

Hooking up assets to game, further development of game play

Related Readings: final project research readings

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 11. Phase V Refinement & Formal Group Presentation
due April 7

Refinement for pre-review and three week trajectory for individual team work with assistance in class.

Related Readings: final project research readings

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12. OFF GM WEEK no class

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13. Phase VI Further Refinement & Project Pre-Reviews
due April 21

Formal presentation of group work to date which incorporates suggested improvements from individual critique. Additionally fully updated and perfected game design document is printed and formally handed in. 

Related Readings: final project research readings

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14. Phase VII Final Project Reviews & Formal Group Presentation
due April 28 (second to last class)

Intensive critical analysis of game development, game play, interaction, hardware testing, detailed plan for installing game and gear at Game Festival

Related Readings: final project research readings

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15. Phase IX- Perfected Game Festival-Ready Games, Formal Group Presentation
due May 5

All perfected work due this day. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Complete and refine all work on final projects for
Final Completed Game Project:
* submit on a cd or dvd and also upload to your drop box:

 * Your game and all elements including all art, programming files, etc.

* Your game design document in .html format with all relevant files

* Your poster file

* Your project summary in .doc format with summation image

* high quality edited .mov of game play

Also submit:

* Printed posters
* Printed Final Game Design Document

* Printed project summary

* also if applicable: User Evaluation Testing Summary and Recommendations

 

Please ensure that all work is spell checked.

All work must be printed and also submitted on labeled CDs or DVDs 

You will then set up and show your work at the Annual Game Festival to be held May 11 in EMPAC, Theater 3rd floor.

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