Syllabus
GMAP 260: Overview of Gaming
Spring Term 2020-2021
Section 1: Mondays 12:00 PM - 2:50 PM, Remote Synchronous
Instructor: Prof. Adrian Sandoval
Section 2: Mondays 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM, Remote Synchronous
Instructor: Prof. Martin Jarmick
Section 3: Wednesdays 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM, Remote Synchronous
Instructor: Prof. Jessica Creane
Section 4: Wednesdays 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM, Remote Synchronous
Instructor: Prof. Stefan Rank
Course Description
This course will present an overview of computer gaming including the history of computer games, their foundation in traditional games and game theory, and their practice in the modern digital game. The relation of gaming genres, platforms, and audience will be examined.
The main purpose of this class is to teach critical evaluation skills required for being a functioning member in a game development team.
Expected Learning Outcomes
Students will learn the fundamentals of game design and theory and put those concepts into practice through one physical game and one digital game. During this course, students will learn the process of developing a game from concept to final product, using design documents, prototyping and iterative development.
Format
Classes will be a combination of instruction and tutorial, class discussions, individual and group assignments, lab and presentation period, and team building exercises. Class participation is an important part of your evaluation and grade. In addition, students will be required to work in teams outside of class in the computer labs, doing research online and in books and journals, and hands-on exposure to various video games.
Students will work in groups throughout the term.
Students will have various opportunities to give feedback on the class as well as their concerns and comments throughout the term.
Special guest lecturers from industry may also give presentations during the term.
Assignments & Projects
Assignment 1: Existing Game Design Review (teams or individual)
Submission
Assignments and project materials are to be submitted as indicated by your instructor (either via Drexel Learn or a dropbox folder) at the time they are scheduled to be due. See below regarding the late policy.
Requirements and Grading Policy
Attendance: Students must attend class. Class participation is an important part of your grade. Missing 3 classes results in automatic failure. If a student must miss class, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor by email (only valid once a reply confirms receipt) or by phone the day prior to the missed class. Students will also be responsible for getting missed notes from the other students.
Late Policy: Assignments must be turned in on time! Lateness will automatically result in at minimum the loss of one letter grade. For every day late, there will be a 10% penalty. Excuses will not be accepted after the assignment is due. If you believe the assignment even might have to be turned in late, it is your responsibility to notify the instructor by email the night before the due date by 10PM
Grades will be based on several criteria detailed in the weekly agenda.
Class participation will be graded on how well the student contributes to class discussions, contributes his or her own ideas and thoughts, and demonstrates keeping up with the assigned material. A student that demonstrates an eagerness to participate and shows some thought and preparation behind their comments will have no trouble achieving an A for this part of their grade. A student who only occasionally contributes and often rehashes ideas or shows a general lack of understanding of the homework topics can hope for a C. Unexcused absences lower your grade. Three absences results in failure.
You get grades each week, therefore you must not try to cram the bulk of the work in at the end of the term.
Grading System
10% - Participation/Attendance
10% - Game Design Review Assignment
30% - Project 1: Analog Game (10% proposal, 20% final)
50% - Project 2: Digital Game (10% GDD, 20% beta, 20% final)
A+: 100-97, A: 94-96, A-: 90-93, B+: 87-89, B: 84-86, B-: 80-83,
C+: 77-79, C: 74-76, C-: 70-73, D+: 67-69, D: 60-66, F: 0-59
Cheating/Plagiarism
Copying text, artwork, models, or animations without credit, whether copyrighted or made freely available on the web, is considered plagiarism for the purposes of this class (as it is in industry) and is forbidden. One illegal asset can open an employer up to litigation.
Having another student perform your tasks for you is considered cheating. Group evaluations, class participation, and project debriefings are a very effective means of determining this type of cheating, so do not cheat.
Cheating will result in at minimum a failing of the assignment and an automatic decrease of one letter grade for your final grade, and may result in your failing the course. Cheating and plagiarism are often done not due to sinister intentions, but because of laziness, fear, lack of preparation, overloaded schedule, or other reasons. If you are having a problem in class and are fearful that your grade may suffer, please, please come talk to your instructor about it rather than attempting some shortcut. We are always eager to try to help, and we do not want to have to fail anyone. See below for Drexel policies.
Schedule (may be updated during the term)
Week 1 – History of Video Games
History of Gaming from Florian Smolka on Vimeo.
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/index.html
http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/history/timeline.swf
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1kO84qDyI0kyxhyZzHqGZT8cwbDZtRX_d1zapQd50heM/edit
Section Specific:
Assignment: Work in teams of 3 to make 3-5 slides about a topic relevant to the current state of the video game industry. Teams will give a 5 minute presentation on their slides. Topics may include mobile gaming, independent vs. AAA studios, new devices/interfaces, new styles of gameplay, online gaming, consoles, the role of gambling, etc.
Week 2 – Introduction to Game Theory and Game Design
Week 3 – MDA, Game Concept Brainstorming
Section Specific:
Due: Assignment 1, Game Design Review .doc submission and presentations
Week 4 – Game Development
Game Mechanics, What is Fun?
Prototyping, Iterative Development
Samples:
All Sections:
Due: Project 1 Completed
Week 6 – Digital Game/Present/Critique
Introduction to Real-time 3D graphics
All Sections:
Due: Project 2, 5-pager (GDD Overview)
Week 7 – Game Industry
http://www.theesa.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/EF2018_FINAL.pdf
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bavkoxahdd1lqmm/gdc_report_2017.pdf?dl=0
Salaries:
https://www.gameindustrycareerguide.com/video-game-developer-salary/
https://www.gamedesigning.org/career/salary/
Diversity:
https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.igda.org/resource/collection/CB31CE86-F8EE-4AE3-B46A-148490336605/IGDA_DSS14-15_DiversityReport_Aug2016_Final.pdf
All Sections:
Due: Initial minimal prototype with placeholder assets for playtesting. Production Journal. Playtest Questionnaire.
Week 8 – Social Issues: Serious Games, Moral Issues, and Societal Impact
All Sections:
Due: Project 2 Alpha (feature near complete)
Week 9
Work In-class on Final Project
All Sections:
Due: Project 2 Beta Play (asset near complete)
Week 10 – Serious Games
All Sections:
Due: Project 2 Beta, Open Beta Playtest results
Week 11 – Final Game Presentations
Finals – Digital Game Play/Present/Critique
All Sections:
Due: Project 2 Completed
Drexel University Code of Conduct
Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Cheating Policy
http://drexel.edu/provost/policies/academic_dishonesty.asp
Drexel University Student Handbook
http://drexel.edu/studentaffairs/community_standards/studentHandbook/
Students with Disability Statement
http://drexel.edu/ods/student_reg.html
Course Drop Policy
http://drexel.edu/provost/policies/course_drop.asp
Course Change Policy
The instructor reserves the right to change the course during the term at his or her discretion. These changes will be communicated to students via the syllabus, website announcement, or email.