CIS 3000: Introduction to Computer Game Design

CIS 3000 Course Schedule

Below is a tenative schedule for this semester. Because the number of students enrolled in this class is in flux, this schedule is still subject to change. It will be (mostly) finalized the second week of class.

[Aug] [Sep] [Oct] [Nov] [Dec] [Dates]

Note: The schedule is subject to change.

August

Week's Objective

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Form Groups

Lecture 1:
Overview

Comm Lab 0:
Quick Pitches

Lecture 2:
Developing Ideas

Proposal & Charter

Lecture 3:
Design Elements

Game Lab 1:
Game Lab

Lecture 4:
Development Process

September

Week's Objective

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Proposal & Charter

Comm Lab 1:
Idea Formation

Lecture 5:
Parts of a Game

Concept Document

Labor Day

Game Lab 2:
Game Lab

Lecture 6:
Prototyping

Comm Lab 2:
Initial Specification

Lecture 7:
Mechanics: Rules & Systems

Nondigitial Prototype

Lecture 8:
Mechanics: Uncertainty & Risk

Game Lab 3:
Game Lab

Presentation:
Nondigital Prototypes

EXAM

Comm Lab 3:
Concept Review

Presentation:
Nondigital Prototypes

Game Wiki

Lecture 9:
Game Balance

Game Lab 4:
Game Lab

Lecture 10:
Game Architecture

Comm Lab 4:
Milestones and Script

Lecture 11:
Architecture (cont.)

Document Revisions

Lecture 12:
Architecture Design

Comm Lab 5:
Specification Review

Lecture 13:
Data-Driven Design

Comm Lab 6:
To Be Announced

Lecture 30:
Data-Driven Design (cont)

October

Week's Objective

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Gameplay Prototypes

Presentation:
Gameplay Prototypes

Lecture 15:
Graphics: Sprites

Comm Lab 7:
Gameplay Playtest

Lecture 16:
Graphics: Perspective

Architectural Specification

Fall Break

Lecture 17:
Graphics: Color & Texture

Comm Lab 8:
Architecture Spec

Lecture 18:
Physics & Motion

Technical Prototype

Presentation:
Technical Prototypes

Lecture 19:
Collisions: Static Scenes

EXAM

Comm Lab 9:
Technical Playtest

Lecture 20:
Pathfinding

Update Specifications
Level Design

Lecture 21:
Character AI: Design

Comm Lab 10:
Architecture Review

Lecture 22:
Character AI: Implementation

Comm Lab 11:
Level Design

Lecture 23:
User Testing

Alpha
(Code Complete)

Presentation:
Alpha Demo

November

Week's Objective

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Alpha
(Code Complete)

Presentation:
Alpha Demo

Comm Lab 12:
Alpha Playtest

Lecture 24:
Strategic AI

Game Manual

Lecture 25:
Dramatic Elements

Comm Lab 13:
Game Manual

Lecture 26:
Story: Design

Comm Lab 14:
Level Design Revisited

Lecture 27:
Story: Implementation

Beta (Feature Complete)

Presentation:
Beta Demo

Comm Lab 15:
Beta Playtest

Lecture 28:
The Industry

Final Portfolio

Lecture 29:
Networking: Consistency

EXAM

Comm Lab 16:
Portfolio Review

Lecture 30:
Networking: Security

Thanksgiving

Release

Free Day

Presentation:
Release Demo

December

Week's Objective

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Release

Presentation:
Release Demo

Showcase

Project Schedule

Deadlines listed are the earliest possible deadline for that week. For some presentations (listed in bold), different groups may have different deadlines.

Week	Task	Deadline
Week 1	Form Groups	08/27/11
Week 2	Group Charter (Initial Proposal)	09/03/11
Week 3	Concept Document (Final Proposal)	09/10/11
Week 4	Nondigital Prototype	09/14/11
Week 4	Gameplay Specification	09/17/11
Week 5	Game Wiki	09/24/11
Week 5	Milestone Document	09/24/11
Week 6	Document Revisions	10/01/11
Week 7	Gameplay Prototype	10/03/11
Week 8	Architectural Specification	10/15/11
Week 9	Technical Prototype	10/17/11
Week 10	Progress Status Update	10/27/11
Week 11	Alpha (Code Complete)	10/31/11
Week 12	Game Manual	11/10/11
Week 13	Beta (Feature Complete)	11/14/11
Week 14	Final Portfolio	11/29/11
Week 15	Release (Balanced and Tested)	11/29/11
Week 16	GDIAC Showcase	12/10/11