Week 15 Notes and Links

Parting is such sweet sorrow....
It was great sharing the class with you all.  I hope that you learned at least one thing that new, I know I did!

Tonight we finished the lecture series with MMORPG's.  The slide deck is below.  Also, please let me know if you need help with your game ideas. I must have your game document no later that April 30th.  That's right, I extended the deadline, again.  However, it must be turned in by the 30th by 11:59 PM, no more extensions can be or will be had after that.

There is no class next week as it is a reading day. However, if you are missing me terribly, you can always watch Wreck It Ralph in my honor.

I will send your final grade to you before I post grades.  If there are any issues, they will need to be addressed before I submit your grades to the registrar.

MMORPG Slide Deck
http://1drv.ms/1lbpkR6

LeeRoy Jenkins!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkCNJRfSZBU

Design Document Requirements
Game Design Doc

FINAL DEADLINE IS APRIL 30th FOR HOMEWORK 7 -10 and the GAME DESIGN DOC

Week 14 Notes and Links

First and foremost: I will be taking roll next class, please be there or be square (there may be cookies too!). It is important that you bring your one page document with you to get valuable feedback. Please see Homework 9 for more details.
***The one page should be a summary of the game used for your game design doc.***

EAE day is May 1st.  Extra Credit will be given if you attend the event and send me an email with a game played or short film (Machinima) you watched.  I must receive the e-mail by May 2nd to have it applied to your grade.

Tonight I talked about the design document and  also covered the 5 elements of a game,casual games, puzzle games and platformers. Corey also presented on, and took us on a walk through of Dustforce.  He is one of a select few to achieve a perfect score. Thanks, Corey!

Game design Doc
Game-Design-Doc-Instructions

You can find samples here, Bioshock is on the right side on the top.
http://www.gamepitches.com/game-designs/

Sample one page 1
http://1drv.ms/1kPrnpt

Sample one page 2
http://1drv.ms/1gg1n6F

5 Elements of a Game Slide Deck
http://1drv.ms/1eqA3nR

Casuals, Puzzles and Platformers Slide Deck
http://1drv.ms/1kPr5Ph


Let me know if you are having issues with any of the links below...

Final Paper Due by midnight, Sunday, April 27th

HOMEWORK 9: Draft Game Pitch due on April 17th – BRING TO CLASS

1. essentially the elevator speech for your game.
2. 1 page, detailed description
3. focus on big ideas, characters, setting, etc. whatever “sells” your game
4. should list 3 similar games
5. should speak to how your game is different/better than those three
6. should speak to the game’s perceived market - Read this!

*** something you might want to watch if you have time - Will Wright Game Design Video

Extra Credit  (DIARY 3): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON APRIL 17th.

-  May be substituted for another diary as well.  Also, Because of the nature of RPGs you only have to do one.

• Play and diary on any of the following:
  • GameTap Classic RPGs
• Compare 
  • Heroes of Might & Magic against another classic strategy game

If you want to purchase Heroes of Might and Magic, here are some links (thanks to Christopher!)

http://www.gog.com/game/heroes_of_might_and_magic

http://www.gog.com/game/heroes_of_might_and_magic_2_gold_edition

http://www.gog.com/game/heroes_of_might_and_magic_3_complete_edition

http://www.gog.com/game/heroes_of_might_and_magic_4_complete

http://www.gog.com/game/heroes_of_might_and_magic_5_bundle

Week 13 Notes And Links

It's the final countdown, only two classes left!

Tonight I handed out mid-term grades, which included the grade for your paper. I also went over some stats for the papers as well. If you were absent and want your grade BEFORE next class, e-mail me and I will send a digital version.   Overall the papers were really well written, interesting and quite enjoyable.  If you want a more detailed explanation of your grade, other than what is on your sheet, please e-mail me.  

There were also two departmental announcements.

1) Film student and SAC meeting on Friday April 4 at 12:00pm in room ART 271. Open to all Film students. Free pizza will be provided.

This meeting will be addressing some of the upcoming film department events as well as information on being part of the Film SAC (Student Advisory Committee), which is a student group that works in conjunction with the film department faculty and the College of Fine Arts.

We are looking to elect a new Film SAC Representative during this meeting as well as unite film students who wish to be more involved on a department level.

Thanks
Adam Terry
Film SAC Rep

2)   Smash Bros. Tournament


We then talked about what an Indie Game is and how to define it.
http://sinisterdesign.net/what-makes-a-game-indie-a-universal-definition/


We then viewed "Indie Game The Movie" (contains explicit content)
http://buy.indiegamethemovie.com/


Remaining homework is below, please get any missing homework in before finals week.  Be sure to have your elevator pitch ready for class on the  17th.

Final Paper Due by midnight, Sunday, April 27th

HOMEWORK 9: Draft Game Pitch due on April 17th – BRING TO CLASS

1. essentially the elevator speech for your game.
2. 1 page, detailed description
3. focus on big ideas, characters, setting, etc. whatever “sells” your game
4. should list 3 similar games
5. should speak to how your game is different/better than those three
6. should speak to the game’s perceived market - Read this!

*** something you might want to watch if you have time - Will Wright Game Design Video

Extra Credit  (DIARY 3): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON APRIL 17th.

-  May be substituted for another diary as well.  Also, Because of the nature of RPGs you only have to do one.

• Play and diary on any of the following:
  • GameTap Classic RPGs
• Compare 
  • Heroes of Might & Magic against another classic strategy game

Week 12 Notes and Links

Due to an unexpected conflict, I will not be in town on Thursday.  I have provided the links to genres within games and the history of fighting games below.  Please take time to go through them and be ready for indie games on April 3rd.  I apologize for any disappointed souls that yearn for my lecture, may you find it in your heart to forgive me. For those of you interested in what I'll be doing, here you go...
Kurt's Presentation To The Board

All the homework I have received has been entered and about 60% of the papers thus far. If you can't wait until next week to see your grade in class, email me, I will send it to you this weekend when I get back.

Genres of video games.  Is this overboard, not defined enough, does it matter?
http://www.robinlionheart.com/gamedev/genres.xhtml

Here is a Brief  History of Fighting Games and a few more questions. What are the basic features and mechanics of fighting games?  Why does side view work better than full rotation?  Are they gaining popularity again, why or why not? Is there room for more advancements besides better graphics and realistic gore?
http://www.gamesradar.com/fists-and-fatalities-history-fighting-games/


The best competitive fighting game comeback? Street Fighter competition at EVO 2004
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgSAOxwr0xE

The worst fighting games ever? I almost forgot about ShaqFu, almost...
http://www.complex.com/video-games/2011/12/the-10-worst-fighting-games#11


The rest of the homework, 3 weeks left!

HOMEWORK 8 (Diary 2): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON APRIL 11th.

• Play for next week and diary on two of the following
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (any of the 2D versions)
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • Castlevania (any of the 2D versions)
  • Metal Slug (any)
  • Earthworm Jim (any)
  • Ristar
  • Wonderboy
  • Strider
  • Ecco the Dolphin (any)
  • Vector Man (any)
  • Golden Axe (any 2D)
• For comparison also play (so play a total of 3 games)
  • Dig Dug
  • Burger Time
  • Elevator Action
  • Frogger

HOMEWORK 9: Draft Game Pitch due on April 17th – BRING TO CLASS

1. essentially the elevator speech for your game.
2. 1 page, detailed description
3. focus on big ideas, characters, setting, etc. whatever “sells” your game
4. should list 3 similar games
5. should speak to how your game is different/better than those three
6. should speak to the game’s perceived market - Read this!

*** something you might want to watch if you have time - Will Wright Game Design Video

Extra Credit  (DIARY 3): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON APRIL 17th.

-  May be substituted for another diary as well.  Also, Because of the nature of RPGs you only have to do one.

• Play and diary on any of the following:
  • GameTap Classic RPGs
• Compare 
  • Heroes of Might & Magic against another classic strategy game

Game Design Doc  – Due by midnight, Sunday, April 27th.

Week 11 Notes and Links

Congratulations, we are on the downhill slope - only 4 episodes left!

First, some updates regarding the homework through assignments 1-5.  If you missed turning any one of them in, I will give you credit for them until Sunday, March 23rd.  However, I must have the assignments by then to complete midterm grades.  I will have a sheet for you to check next class to verify your submissions and see your current grade.

Homework 6 is now extra credit, you have until the last week of class, April 17th to turn this or any other extra credit, including Diary 3, in for recording.

Final Paper (Game Design Doc) is due on April 28th, this deadline is non-extendable.  Please submit your paper by 11:59 PM.  I need the whole week after finals to grade your amazing design docs.  It is a long laborious process that really does take time.   Please plan accordingly.

Here is the Slide Deck from tonight.
http://1drv.ms/1esFWhQ

So You Want To Work In The Video Game Industry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGar7KC6Wiw

You Want To Be A Designer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQvWMdWhFCc

Halo 2600 Flash Game
http://www.kongregate.com/games/edfries/halo-2600

Pick Your Destiny

And as promised.... The remaing homework assignments

HOMEWORK 6: DUE BEFORE CLASS March 20th.

Play Psychonauts and answer the following:

• What genre is this game? Explain why you think so?
• What do you feel the most compelling features of the game are?
• Can you see any glaring design flaws?
• What is the game’s “hook?”
• List three primary game “mechanics”

HOMEWORK 7 (Diary 1): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON March 27th

USE Diary How To  FOR FORMATTING.

• Play for next week and diary on one of the following puzzle games:
  • Tetris
  • Super Qix
  • Puzzle Bobble (Bust-A-Move)
  • Puzzle Fighter II Turbo
• Compare against two of the following “casual” games. What do you think the difference is?
  • Farm Frenzy
  • Sims Social
  • Pixel People
  • Candy Crush Saga
  • Castleville
  • Sally’s Spa
  • The Clockwork Man
  • Escape from Rosecliff Island
  • Peggle

HOMEWORK 8 (Diary 2): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON APRIL 11th.

• Play for next week and diary on two of the following
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (any of the 2D versions)
  • Gunstar Heroes
  • Castlevania (any of the 2D versions)
  • Metal Slug (any)
  • Earthworm Jim (any)
  • Ristar
  • Wonderboy
  • Strider
  • Ecco the Dolphin (any)
  • Vector Man (any)
  • Golden Axe (any 2D)
• For comparison also play (so play a total of 3 games)
  • Dig Dug
  • Burger Time
  • Elevator Action
  • Frogger

HOMEWORK 9: Draft Game Pitch due on April 17th – BRING TO CLASS

1. essentially the elevator speech for your game.
2. 1 page, detailed description
3. focus on big ideas, characters, setting, etc. whatever “sells” your game
4. should list 3 similar games
5. should speak to how your game is different/better than those three
6. should speak to the game’s perceived market - Read this!

*** something you might want to watch if you have time - Will Wright Game Design Video

Extra Credit  (DIARY 3): DUE BEFORE CLASS ON APRIL 17th.

-  May be substituted for another diary as well.  Also, Because of the nature of RPGs you only have to do one.

• Play and diary on any of the following:
  • GameTap Classic RPGs
• Compare 
  • Heroes of Might & Magic against another classic strategy game

Game Design Doc  – Due by midnight, Sunday, April 27th.

Paper Update

All,

I have had quite a few e-mails with repetitious questions regarding the critique paper.  First, I will extend the deadline until Tuesday, March 18th, at 11:59 PM.  If you have already turned in your paper, kudos, take a deep breath and relax! If you decide to wait until Tuesday, please make sure you take the time to write an amazing paper.  I would rather extend the deadline and get a better quality paper than a rushed piece of hot mess.  Second,  a review of the requirements are below.  Please email me with any questions and I look forward to reading your papers.

Videogame Critique Paper (30% of final grade)

We have reviewed the differences between critique and review, studied some of the young videogame theories, and practiced how to apply theory to videogames as a critique. Now, we will bring it all together.

The videogame critique should:

    * be 4-6 pages

    * in MLA format with proper citations (bibliography on its own page)

    * have one strong, clearly identified thesis statement/driving concept

    * be focused on one of the main domains of videogame criticism: cultural issues in the game, games and society, or game design and criticism

    * apply a theory (properly cited) from one of those domains to one specific videogame

    * not focus on describing or evaluating the game in a manner that does not support your thesis

    * be academic in form, statements should be explained and supported, no biased or non-academic language

    * have error free writing

    * not be a review

As videogame criticism is still evolving, this is your chance to not only stretch yourself academically on a topic that you find interesting, but also influence the way videogame criticism is done.

Grading Rubric

Length – 10%

MLA Format – 20%

Bibliography with proper citations – 20%

Spelling and grammar – 20%

Clear and well thought out critique – 30%

Week 9 Notes

Tonight we finished the debates.  Great presentations everyone!

I have e-mailed out the grading form and the debate groups.  Please let me know if you did not receive the email and I will get you the form. Due to the attachment restriction, I was not able to send the sample academic paper in the email.  However, it can be seen here  http://1drv.ms/1dxXrNn .

I also have extended the deadline for Homework 5 until Tuesday the 11th.  The details from the syllabus are below.

HOMEWORK 5: DUE BEFORE CLASS MARCH 6th.

Katamari Damacy Criticism – Write a half page response/proposal – What school of criticism made the most sense to you in this article? How would you criticize Katamari Damacy i.e. what school would you use?

Katamari Damacy Part One & Two & Three

And Finally...

Academic Paper Due March 16th at 11:59 PM