Course content

The lecture topics will focus on what the students need to know to to progress in the development of games using modern technology. The topics can include:

• Design patterns
• Graphics
• Physics in games
• Character development
• Animation
• Game specific AI
• Implementing game mechanics
• Game production process
• Project management in teams
• Memory management
• Algorithm efficiency
• Advanced programming techniques

Learning outcome

On completion of this course the students have:

Knowledge:

• Understand fundamentals of game engines
• Understand the social and ethical issues in game development
• Understand continuous integration in relation to game development

Skills:

• Design and implement a computer game as part of a group
• Better estimate the amount of effort required to implement various features in a computer game
• Use project management tools to control the development of software
• Gui prototyping of interactions
• Ask good questions about games and the development process

General Competence:

• Communicate about the development process and present the results both in written and oral form
• Working in groups and understanding more about group communication
• Giving and receiving criticism

This is a group project and so a significant part of the learning outcomes are related to working in a group and being able to scope the time taken to design and implement a game.

Learning methods and activities

• Lectures
• Exercises
• Project work

Further information: Students will work in groups to develop a game. In-class exercises and lectures will be linked to the current stage of the development process.

Specific conditions

Recommended previous knowledge

PROG2051 Artificial intelligence

Course materials

Online materials and tutorials. Suggested reading will be provided at the beginning of the course.

Credit reductions