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.
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.
Students must
demonstrate satisfactory achievement of course objectives through fulfillment
of course projects and by contributing to class discussions and critiques.
15% Short studies
(7.5% each x 2)
65% Final Project
with Final Game Design Document: incremental evaluation over 10 due dates, each
6.5%
10% reaction papers
A=4.0, A-=3.67,
B+=3.33 B=3.0, B-= 2.67, C+= 2.33, C=2.0 C-= 1.67, D+=1.33, D=1.0,
F=0.0
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.
Academic Honesty
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
Integrity
Student-teacher
relationships are built on trust. For example, students must trust that
teachers have made appropriate decisions about the structure and content of the
courses they teach, and teachers must trust that the assignments that students
turn in are their own. Acts, which violate this trust, undermine
the educational process. The Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and Responsibilities
defines various forms of Academic Dishonesty and you should make yourself
familiar with these. In this class, all assignments that are turned in for a
grade must represent the student’s own work. In cases where help was received,
or teamwork was allowed, a notation on the assignment should indicate your
collaboration. Submission of any assignment that is in violation of this policy
will result in a penalty of a grade of F given for failure in the course and
also further disciplinary action as outlined in the Handbook of Student Rights
and Responsibilities.
Addressing Academic
Dishonesty
at
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Intellectual
integrity is critical to the foundation of all academic work. Academic dishonesty,
therefore, is considered a serious matter and will be addressed as such. As
defined in the current Rensselaer Handbook of Student Rights and
Responsibilities, examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not
limited to: academic fraud, collaboration, copying, cribbing, fabrication,
plagiarism, sabotage, and substitution. Additionally, attempts to commit
academic dishonesty, or to assist in the commission or attempt of such
an act, are also violations of the academic dishonesty policy. If found in violation of the academic dishonesty policy, students
may be subject to two types of penalties. The instructor administers an
academic (grade) penalty, and the student may also enter the Institute judicial
process and be subject to such additional sanctions as: warning, probation,
suspension, expulsion, and alternative actions as defined in the current Handbook
of Student Rights and Responsibilities.
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 backu
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
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.