Requirements and Suggestions

 

How to take the course (in a nutshell):

Show up. Attendance is mandatory every week. Do the work and the assignments. Do the readings and come prepared to ask questions. Turn work in on time. Contribute to the discussions. Check the course website for the latest information about assignments and activities.

 

Goals

The creation of workable game prototypes using a variety of two and three dimensional interactive multimedia applications and materials for computer, web and innovative delivery systems. The crafting of new interface modalities which go beyond existing gaming paradigms. An increased awareness of games as cultural and aesthetic artifacts.

 

Assumed Knowledge and Skills

Some background in any of the following: 2D or 3D digital imaging, programming, animation, human-computer interaction, or cognitive science.

 

Evaluation

Students must demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course objectives through fulfillment of course projects and by contributing to class discussions and critiques.

Grading         

15% Short studies (7.5% each x 2)

75% Final Project with Final Game Design Document

10% Participation in class


Letter grade equivalents for the course are as follows:

90 - 100 A

80 - 89.99 B

70 - 79.99 C

60 - 69.99 D

0   - 59.99 F

 

Class Attendance Policy

As an enrolled student, you have made a commitment to this class and your attendance is a significant part of that commitment. Attendance will be taken at every class. An absence is considered excused if the student has informed the course instructor by phone, email or in person before the beginning of the class and the excuse is considered reasonable by the instructor. All students are required to be on time and in attendance for each and every class. Students arriving to class more than 10 minutes late may be counted as absent.  Two (2) unexcused absences will result in a reduction of one entire letter grade.  Four or more absences will result in a zero for class participation.

 

Adherence to deadlines is expected. It is the individual student's responsibility to keep track of deadlines and to present the work to the class and instructor on the specified dates. 15% per day will be subtracted from late assignments.

 

If you are concerned about your creative trajectory or your grade at any point during the semester, please do not hesitate to contact your Instructor and schedule an appointment during office hours.

 

Statement On Academic Integrity

Class Specific

Collaboration and discussion about class projects is actively encouraged, and is in no way considered cheating. This is a studio course, and personal ownership of information is not deemed to be appropriate. Original images/game designs are required except where indicated otherwise. Projects are expected to reflect personal endeavor, but may also be collaborative in nature when the nature of the collaboration is clearly indicated.

 

Academic Honesty

Student relationships are built on mutual respect and trust. Students must be able to trust that their teachers have made responsible decisions about the structure and content of the course and that they are conscientiously making their best effort to help students learn. Teachers must be able to trust that students do their work conscientiously and honestly making their best effort to learn. Acts that violate this mutual respect and trust undermine the educational process. They counteract our very reason for being at Rensselaer and will not be tolerated. Any student who engages in any form of academic dishonesty will receive an F in this course and will be reported to the Dean of Students for further disciplinary action. The Rensselaer Handbook defines various forms of Academic Dishonesty and procedures for responding to them. All of these forms are violations of trust between students and teachers. Please familiarize yourself with this portion of the handbook.

 

Required Materials

• An active RCS account.

• Approximately 7 CDs

• Other materials on a project basis

You may be making a number of digital prints/manifestations of your work on and off campus. The costs of digital printing vary, but be prepared to incur at least $25 in fabrication/material costs.

 

Electronic Communication

Email: All students are expected to have an active electronic mail account, and should check mail at least four times a week for class information. Some essential class information is communicated by email only.  

 

Work Habits

Always back-up your work frequently; that is, every time you make something you think is worth keeping.  Systems crash when least expected and you could lose all your work.   It is a good idea to make three backups (on different media), as storage media are sometimes unstable. Always save onto your own media or into your account as files left on hard drives will be removed.

 

Also, please keep in mind the highly addictive aspects of working with computers. Many people lose track of time and later wonder why they have severe back, neck and eye problems.  It is a good idea to take a rest every 15 to 20 minutes.  Look up or beyond your computer or, better still, at a long distance to relax your eyes.  Take a walk or stretch.  Fatigue can lead to frustration. Stay in touch with your body's needs.

 

Try not to harm or deface any equipment in any way or lose files and folders belonging to our class or other classes. 

 

Please report studio lab problems to Igor Broos at igor@rpi.edu

Please follow the guidelines for working in each studio very carefully, as you will be held personally responsible for problems you incur. At all times please keep the lab clean after each use.