CIS 3000: Introduction to Computer Game Design

Assignment 9
Technical Prototype

Demo: Thursday, March 17th at 10:10 am
Due: Saturday, March 19th at 11:59 pm

Your second presentation is your technical prototype. Unlike the gameplay prototype, the technical prototype should be an "evolutionary" prototype. The code that you demonstrate for this prototype should find its way back into your final project. That means that a useful thing to have for this prototype would be (nearly) completed character controls with a few challenges to overcome. You can do also do a level-editor if you wish, though we typically delay this to alpha release.

Ideally, you would like your technical prototype to be a solution to a particular problem unique to your game. You should not be able to get away with copying code from the labs (copy code is fine, but it is not the only thing you should do). For example, if your technical prototype shows off the physics, what were the unique challenges that you ran into when designing the physics that differed from lab 3. Is there a graphical challenge that you are trying to solve, such as modeling water? Whatever it is, pick something and make it the centerpiece of your presentation.

Class Presentation

As with the last prototype, you should be prepare a 5-10 minute demonstration of your prototype. Again, this can be an ad-hoc presentation where one person plays the prototype while another provides running commentary. The only requirement is that you clearly show off what the prototype does, and discuss your reason for building this particular prototype.

You will actually have 15 minutes for your demonstration, but we will reserve a lot of that time for questions from the TAs and the audience. As part of your presentation, you should be prepared to answer the following questions:

  • What is the technical challenge being addressed by this prototype?
  • What is unique about your game that made the solution more than copying code?
  • Are there any other technical solutions that might have worked?
  • Why did you pick this solution over the others?
  • What are your plans for the alpha release after Spring break?

As you can see from looking at the calendar, this presentation will again take place over two days: the Thursday lab and the Friday lecture. This is intended to give you long enough to present and answer questions. So that you are prepared, the presentation schedule is as follows.

  • Thursday (Section 1)
    • Blur (Motmot)
    • World of Dub (Banana Hammock Productions)
    • Squidget Snatcher (Satyr Studios)
  • Thursday (Section 2)
    • Block Hole (Causa Ludens)
    • Lumen (Glowcat Games)
    • Overdrive (Funky Fresh)
  • Friday
    • Geist Heist (Team Liberation Studios)
    • Crisis at Swiss Station (Yumberry Studios)
    • Barometry (Somnambulant Studios )
    • Egyptian Delta (Digital Wrench)

Submission

Due Saturday, March 19th at 11:59 pm through CMS.

For this assignment, we will ask you to turn in your prototype. If it is an software program, that means that we want the executable from you. If you have elected to stick with a physical prototype, then you should turn in the rules (and list of materials) for your prototype.

You should gather the files for your prototype and zip them together in a file called prototype.zip. This zip file should contain everything that is necessary to play your prototype. If this is a software prototype, that means the program and all libraries. If it is a physical prototype, this means the rules of the game, and directions for making the physical pieces.

In addition, you should not forget to turn in your second two week report. This will allow us to see how you are organizing you time, and make suggestions for future milestones. Please not the slight format change for this report.