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.