Introduction Lecture toGame Mod Workshop

Brian Schrank, PhD

Who am I?

www.BrianSchrank.com

Who are You?

What will you do in this class?

What will you do in this class?

Create & Iterate on a Game Mod that’s:

1.Short2.Complete3.Awesome

How will you make your game mod?

• Form teams of 3-5 students– that will last the entire quarter

• Learn and use the entire game dev process– brainstorming, meeting, scheduling, prototyping,

playtesting, iterating, demoing, even marketing– …lots of iterative development

• Use Unity as the game engine

You don’t have many constraints:

• Any genre, or new genre of game• Any art style• Any code• You can download, use, and modify anything:– code, content, music, other Unity projects– Don’t ask if you can use something. You can.– Even if it has a copyright you can use it because

it’s fair use, plus you aren’t selling your game, yet.

There are two big constraints.

1: Only use/make stuff that enhances your game mod.

2: Your game mod must haveOne Minute of Awesomeness.

You can make a “2D” game.

Or you can make a 3D game.

Unity affords many genres

• Platformer– 2D, 3D

• Shooter– 1st, 3rd Person

• Puzzle• Racer• Adventure• RPG• Strategy

Unity affords many genres

• Platformer– 2D, 3D

• Shooter– 1st, 3rd Person

• Puzzle• Racer• Adventure – be very careful and clever• RPG – don’t recommend it• Strategy – don’t recommend it

Or… roll your own genre!

Even an “Art Game” is Fine

http://cactusquid.com/

Cactus

Even an “Art Game” is Fine

AuntiePixelante

Three Promises to You:

• I promise to fight for your success.– I don’t just want you to get jobs in the industry.– I want you to LEAD the game industry someday.– There are no stupid questions. Ask away.

• I promise to give honest, critical feedback.– If there is something you can improve, I will tell

you in a straightforward way.• I promise be as available as I can.– Feel free to email me anytime.

You Should Promise to:

• Fight for your own success.– You must think of yourself as a Professional now.– Conduct yourself and treat your team well.– There are no stupid questions. Ask away.

• Hunger for critical feedback from everyone.– This course is as much about the process as the

product. Your 1# goal is to improve yourself.• Be a vibrant member of the class & your team.– Feel free to email or ask THEM anything.

Main Coursework:

• GET DIRTY AND MAKE A DAMN GOOD GAME!– Programming, Art, Design, Sound Design– Brainstorms– Pitches– Schedule– Playtests– Milestone Presentations and Demos

• Some Reading• Very short weekly blog posts

No Required Books.For Game Designers:• Art of Game Design, Schell• Game Design Workshop, Fullerton• Game Feel, SwinkFor Artists:• The Animator’s Survival Kit, Williams• Stop Staring, Osipa (for facial modeling/rigging/animating) • How to Cheat in Maya, Luhta (for Maya beginners) For Programmers:• Check out the ton of Unity material on our class websiteFor Producers:• The Game Production Handbook, Chandler

www.Gamasutra.com

Good general resource:

To the Class Website!

www.GameModWorkshop.com