lecture 1 - cornell university · lecture 1: game design initiative at cornell university the...
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gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Overview
Lecture 1:
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction2
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction3
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Why should you take this class?
You get to make a game!
You will interact with the world, not just Cornell
Releasing your game is fun, intense, and memorable
“Big data” is a key buzzword these days
Employers want data analysis skills
Introduction4
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Previous successful games
Introduction5
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Chromatic
Introduction6
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Chromatic
Introduction7
100,000 plays
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Hello Worlds!
Introduction8
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Hello Worlds!
Introduction9
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Hello Worlds!
Introduction10
1.5 million plays
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
External Reviews!
Introduction11
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Introduction12
External Reviews!
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction13
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction14
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is this class?
analytics-driven game design
Introduction15
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is this class?
analytics-driven game design
Introduction16
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is analytics?
Wikipedia: “the discovery and communication of
meaningful patterns in data”
Introduction17
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Heat Maps: Halo 3
Introduction18
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Heat Maps: Halo 3
Introduction19
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is this class?
analytics-driven game design
Introduction20
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is this class?
analytics-driven game design
Introduction21
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Game Design Workflow
Introduction22
game designers game playtesters
the world
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Microsoft In-house Playtesting
Introduction23
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Game Design Workflow
Introduction24
game designers game playtesters
the world
data
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
League of Legends Win Rates
Introduction25
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is “big data”?
Officially:
Datasets that are so large that they cannot be processed by
traditional methods
Unofficially:
Large amounts of data, and the ways this data can be used
Introduction26
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
A/B Testing
Introduction27
game designers version A
the world
data
version B
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Metrics
Progress
Time played
Return rate
Revenue
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
GSN Games A/B Testing
Introduction29
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Introduction30
GSN Games A/B Testing
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Introduction31
GSN Games A/B Testing
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Introduction32
Revenue +12.3%
Bounce Rate -25.8%
GSN Games A/B Testing
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Introduction33
Revenue +11%
GSN Games A/B Testing
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Zynga A/B Testing
Introduction34
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Other examples of A/B testing?
Introduction35
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Introduction36
4 Experiments
Foldit Hello Worlds Refraction
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Experiment #1: Audio
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Experiment #2: Animations
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Experiment #3: Secondary Objectives
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Time
% of
players
100
0
With Coins
The Hope
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Time
% of
players
100
0
With Coins
Reality
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Time
% of
players
100
0
On-path Coins
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Experiment 4: Tutorials
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Engagement...
A) increased
B) decreased
C) increased AND decreased
D) didn’t change
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Key point
analytics is important and changing the game industry
Introduction54
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is this class?
analytics-driven game design
Introduction55
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
What is this class?
analytics-driven game design
Introduction56
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Single semester-long game project
Interdisciplinary teams of 5-6 people
Game design is up to you!
Introduction57
Game Design
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Three phases
Pre-production Brainstorming
Paper prototyping
Writing design document
Development Programming
Playtesting
Logging
Iterative Refinement Releases
Data analysis
A/B testing
Introduction58
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Logging
Introduction59
gdiac.cs.cornell.edu
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Release 1: Friends
Spam your family and friends!
Introduction60
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Release 2: Newgrounds
Introduction61
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Release 3: Kongregate
Introduction62
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
The Internet is cruel…
Introduction63
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
… but occasionally rewarding
Introduction64
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Course Structure
Lectures: Tuesdays, Thursdays
Of general design and development interest
Slides posted on website (but likely incomplete!)
Your group will need to meet outside of class
My office hours: Tuesday/Thursday 2-3pm
Gates 445
TA: Josh Freeberg
Introduction65
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
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Course Website
http://www.cs.cornell.edu/courses/CS4154/2014fa/
Syllabus information is here
Should be up-to-date within a 2-week horizon
Ask me if it’s further in the future
Introduction66
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Project Groups
This is a group-oriented course
5-6 person teams of diverse talents
At least one visual designer/artist
Groups are assigned by the staff
Taking your preferences into account
Assignments complete by this week
Introduction67
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Game Requirements
Must be…
Fun
Your grade depends on how much people like it!
Novel
Cannot be a clone of an existing game
Feasible in one semester
Avoid full RPGs and real-time strategy games
Game can have elements of these
Single-player
Networking for multiplayer is too painful
Introduction68
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Game Requirements
All programmers must work in Flash/AS3
Very easy to pick up if you know Java
FlashDevelop is a great free IDE
Phillips 318 has Adobe Flash Builder 4
See website for help and resources
Introduction69
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Intellectual Property
Your group retains all ownership
You can commercialize it later
You can make derivative works
Individual ownership is your responsibility
But Cornell gets a non-exclusive license
Non-commercial use of final version submitted
We can post this version on our website
We claim no other rights to your game
Introduction70
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
In-class presentations
Project pitches (next Thursday)
Paper prototyping postmortem
Playtesting postmortem
Release postmortems
Introduction71
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Assignments
Individual
Basic programming / art lab
Data analysis lab
Two-week reports
Group
Paper prototype
Design document
Introduction72
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Expect at least 10 hours/week
Releases are particularly intense
Players come in a burst
If something goes wrong, you must deal with it immediately
Introduction73
This course is a lot of work!
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Semester Schedule
Week 1 Form Groups 8/24
Week 2 Group Charter 8/31
Week 3 Paper Prototyping 9/7
Week 4 Design Document 9/14
Week 5 Programming 9/21
Week 6 First Prototype 9/28
Week 7 Playtesting 10/5
Week 8 Second Prototype 10/12
Week 9 Logging 10/19
Introduction74
Pre-Production
Development
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Week 10 Friends Release 10/26
Week 11 A/B Testing 11/2
Week 12 Newgrounds Release 11/9
Week 13 Data Analysis 11/16
Week 14 Prep, Thanksgiving 11/23
Week 15 Kongregate Release 11/30
Week 16 Final Presentations 12/?
Semester Schedule
Introduction75
Release
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction76
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction77
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Grading Policy
Mixture of group and individual grades
Group grades are same for all group members
Group game grade (25%)
Group assignments (15%)
Class presentations (10%)
Individual grades distinguish group members
Individual game grade (25%)
Individual assignments (15%)
Class participation (10%)
Introduction78
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Game Grade
Group grade reflects the game quality
Individual grade represents contribution
Introduction79
Grade Criteria
A Successful and fun
B Complete and playable
C Complete but unplayable
D/F Not complete; bad issues
Grade Criteria
> Group Visionary, group MVP
= Group Good attitude, hard worker
< Group Produce negative work
D/F Abandon the group
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction80
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction81
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Assignment 1
key information about you and your preferences
Introduction82
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Assignment 1
Your name, NetID, year, and college
Your five favorite video games
What role you wish to have in this course
A description of your expertise in this role
A description of any additional expertise
A description of what type of game you want to work on
A list of the people you wish to work with
Any other information you would like us to consider
Introduction83
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Assignment 1
Due: TOMORROW, Aug. 27th, 11:59pm via CMS
Introduction84
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Assignment 2: Programmers
Introduction85
Implement Pong in AS3
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
FlashDevelop
Introduction86
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
ActionScript 3
package yourgame {
public class YourClass extends OtherClass {
private var x:int;
public YourClass(input:int) {x = process(input);
}
public override function process(y:int):int {return y;
}}
}
Introduction87
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
ActionScript 3
package yourgame {
public class YourClass extends Sprite {
public YourClass() {
addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, move);
}
public function move(e:MouseEvent):void {
x = x + 10;
}
}
}
Introduction88
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
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Assignment 2: Designers
Introduction89
Draw and animate a character
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Assignment 2
Due: NEXT TUESDAY, Sep. 2nd,11:59pm via CMS
Introduction90
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
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If you think this is hard…
Introduction91
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Coming soon…
Thursday: More about Flash and game design
Next Tuesday: Game mechanics
Next Thursday: Project Pitches
Introduction92
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction93
gamedesigninitiativeat cornell university
thegamedesigninitiative
at cornell university
the
Promise
Why should you take this class?
What is this class?
How will you be evaluated?
What are the first assignments?
Introduction94