Level 3 Extended Diploma

Unit 22

Developing Computer Games

Outcomes

Understand the impact of the gaming revolution on society

Know the different types of computer game

Be able to design and develop computer games

Be able to test and document computer games

Assignments

Assignment 1 is on the impact of games on individuals and society. P1, P2 and D1

Assignment 2 is where you design and build a game. P3, P4, M1, M2 and D2

Assignment 3 is about documenting and testing. P5, P6, P7, M3 and M4

Significance of computer games

Call of Duty: Black Ops took in over $650 million of sales in the game's first five days

In June 2011, the global video game market was valued at $65 billion

The UK industry is the third largest in the World in terms of developer success and sales of hardware and software

Video game industry to hit $70 billion by 2015

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_industry

This unit

This unit teaches the methodologies of games development

It does not: Make you a industry standard games developer

Use all the industry standard tools

Use low level game programming languages

If you want to be a games programmer

Get a degree in computer science

Be fluent in C++.

Use C++ in some significant projects

Understand the fundamentals of 3D linear algebra

Learn all you can about good object-oriented design, design patterns, encapsulation, unit testing, physical insulation

Be familiar with version control

Know how to use a debugger

http://gamesfromwithin.com/so-you-want-to-be-a-game-programmer

What platform will we use

HTML5 and Javascript on a PC

Why? Your game can run in any HTML5 compliant browser

We can develop using a browser and Notepad++

Your game can run on a PC, a mobile phone or a TV

HTML5

does not require browser plugins

is not proprietary

is cross platform

What platform will we use

We shall also use an IDE called the intel XDK Free software from Intel which can run on your own PC

Is already installed on the Computing PC’s in class.

The intel XDK is a development platform (IDE) which is used to develop HTML 5 and JavaScript apps which Can be used to convert HTML/Javascript into

iOS/Android/Windows 8

and can run as an app on a device

What platform could we use

We called also use Visual studio

Adobe Dreamweaver

etc

Types of games

But first we need to understand types of games and who plays them and why.

We also need to be aware of gaming platforms.

And the effects games has on players and the perception in society.

Game genres

What does genre actually mean?

A genre is a particular type of literature, painting, music, film, or other art form which people consider as a class because it has special characteristics. NOUN...his love of films and novels in the horror genre.

We use this term for computer games as well.

Types of games (genres)

What genres of games are there?

Types of games

Action

RPG (role playing)

Adventure

Strategy

Puzzle

Simulation

Sports

FPS (first person shooter)

Combat

Educational

MMO (massively multiplayer online)

Types of platforms

What types of platforms are there?

Types of platforms

What types of platforms are there?

Personal Computer

Portable hand held console

Console

Mobile phone

Internet

Network

Tablet computer

Types of technology

What types of technology are there?

Types of technology

What types of technology are involved?

Graphics

Artificial Intelligence

Audio

Game physics

Mathematics

Types of games (Criteria P2)

List and describe the various game genres available in a table. (P2)

This is part of assignment 1

Genre Description Platform Environment Example

Puzzle Problem solving. Often involving logic and strategy

PC, phone Stand alone Minesweeper

•Thumbnail screenshot would

be good

Effects of games (Criteria P1)

Task 2 considers this question -

What are the effects of computer games?

Working in pairs, produce a series of slides to answer the question above -

List the positive and negative effects you can think of? (4 each)

1. On society

2. On individuals

Put references to your sources on the slides.

I will choose a few to present to the class.

Summary

1. We started by looking a game genres (Types of games).

2. We also looked at platforms and technologies.

3. We finished by starting to research the impacts of computer games on –

1. Society

2. Individuals

3. Psychological effects

Next time we shall start to look at the programming language we are going to use – Javascript.