ATEC 3351.

502
Computer Game Development
University of Texas at Dallas
School of Arts and Humanities
Fall 2005

Description
Instructor: John Fowler, BFA, EMBA
Number: ATEC 3351.502
Title: Computer Game Development
Time: Monday 3:30 pm to 6: 15 pm
Location: HRA 1.102

Description:

This course is intended to expose students to a real life business exercise in the computer
simulation and game development industry. Using the interdisciplinary skills of writing,
art, programming and engineering, students will have an opportunity to create a game
concept, then working in a team develop a game design proposal, create a short
demonstration of the team’s game concept and make a presentation to industry leaders in
a “green light meeting”. Each assignment during the 15 week course will act as
milestone deliverables that in conjunction with the class sessions will provide the
students with the tools required to complete a successful project. This class is a unique
experience giving student lead teams of artist, programmers, writers, and designers
opportunity to develop a game or simulation idea from scratch into a potential software
product. In the 2003-2004 school year of three semester’s, 80 students in 15 teams
created and presented to industry leaders over 8 commercially viable projects. Previous
projects include a puzzle game s, cell phone game s, role play games, educational game,
and a first person shooter.

The course is taught by a 19 year veteran of the interactive entertainment software

industry. Topics will include industry overview, developing game concepts, design
documents, business planning, team building, starting your own development company
and how to get your first job. In addition to the course instructor there will be guest
lectures from the local and national industry leaders and practitioners who will add to the
real life experience.

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The course is designed to give you everything you need to succeed in class. The
demonstration games can be developed in C++, Java and Flash. Please keep it simple
this is not a programming course. There are a couple of game engines you can download
from a few developer sites. Previous projects have been done using Flash, Open GL,
Java, Unreal Tournament Mod tools and Visual Studio C++.

The all important part:

This class is about creating games and learning about the effort and skills necessary to do
it successfully. It does not require vast programming skills or art skills. It does require
an ability to open your mind to new ideas, work in and contribute to a team effort, and
have fun doing it. The pervious class groups learned a lot and many of students had a
smile on their face and sense of accomplishment after their green light meeting. You can
too!!!

Prerequisite:

Experience with a computer programming language, 3D art creation with Maya or 3D

Max, some basic animation skills, 2D art design with Illustrator and Photoshop, and
writing skills.

Deliverables
There are eight deliverables required to complete the course. Each of the deliverables is a
step or milestone in the process of game development and will enable you to successful
complete your final project. From time to time homework assignments will be required
to supplement in class lectures and learning. All deliverables are expected to be handed
in on time is hardcopy and softcopy formats.

Case Prep— read, do analyzes, and be prepared to discuss the assigned cases. This is
an individual assignment. The assignment can be discussed in your team but
participation is individual. You will be required to turn in a matrix format that will be
discussed in class.

Individual Game Concept Document—using techniques discussed in class each

student will create a 2-3 page game concept document based on a game or simulation
idea that interests them.

Team Game Concept Document—team members will select from their individual
game concept documents a game or simulation project to develop. Using techniques
discussed in class they will modify the original document and submit it with a milestone

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(project development schedule). A team may with approval elect to develop a team
project that is different from concepts submitted by the individuals in the team.

Required Milestones 1&2—milestones one and two are required reporting points
during the semester to measure each team’s progress. This is a one page document that
states what has been accomplished, were the project is behind, difficulties that the team
may be having, and statement of lessoned learned. This project will also include the
original schedule of milestones for comparison purposes.

Project Beta Review—this is six to seven PowerPoint slides that outline your project
progress with samples of concept art, screen shot of game play, user interface and a slide
on the lessons you have learned.

Team Game Design Proposals—teams will be assigned based on abilities and interest
of students in the class. Each team member will submit and present their game concept
to their team members for consideration. The team wills select a game project from the
individual game concept developed by team members or may elect to develop a new
concept they develop as a team. This proposal will form the basis for a short presentation
of their game idea and demo in the green light meeting.

Team Game Demo—each team will work together to design, produce and program a
short demo of their game design for consideration during the green light meeting. This
assignment is due along with the team presentation on December 1, 2004. The
assignments will be loaded on a demo computer for the green light meeting.

Green Light Meeting Presentation—this is the final exam. This is an opportunity

for students to present their ideas to a panel of industry developers, publishers and buyers
who decide what game products they will develop, publish and purchase. This
presentation will take place in the School of management Building room 1.508 at from
6:00 pm to 10:00 pm on April 27, 2005.

Schedule
Good Game Bad Game Analysis
EA Case Review and Prep
Game Concept Document
Final team concept document
Film Making Case Review and Prep
Required Milestone #1
Case Prep Stainless Steel
Required Milestone #2
Beta Review and Presentation
Game Design Proposal and Demo
Due Date: 9/12/05 Percentage of Grade: 5%
Due Date: 9/19/05 Percentage of Grade: 5%
Due Date: 9/19/05 Percentage of Grade: 5%
Due Date: 9/26/05 Percentage of Grade: 5%
Due Date 9/26/05 Percentage of Grade: 5%
Due Date 10/3/05 Percentage of Grade: 10%
Due Date 10/10/05 Percentage of Grade: 5%
Due Date 11/7/05 Percentage of Grade: 10%
Due Date 11/21/05 Percentage of Grade: 10%
Due Date 11/28/05 Percentage of Grade: 30%

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Green Light Meeting Due Date 12/05/05 Percentage of Grade: 10%
Participation Percentage of Grade: 10%

Grading
I will be grading your deliverables based on design, marketability, quality of art, and
strength of game concept document, completeness of your game development proposal,
demo, and presentation. It is important to participate in classroom discussion and with
your team, complete your assignments on time, and your project’s quality.

Peer-Review has been added this school year. Each student will receive a peer-
evaluation form during the last class session. They will be asked to evaluate their fellow
teammates. The purpose of peer-evaluation is two fold. One is to ensure that everyone
participate on an equal basis in each team. The second is to ensure that everyone deliver
their work product to the team. The peer-review is for information purposes providing
the instructor with an insight into the team. It may or may not have an impact on
individual grades.

Additionally Assignments are due the day of class. I will accept hard copies of all
assignments and would like soft copies of the presentation and game demo. Late
assignments will be penalized one letter grade each week that they are overdue unless
excused. In the real world they are going to charge you or it may cost you thousands of
dollars per day for missing deadlines, so it is a good time to discipline yourself to on time
delivery. Participation is based on showing up, contributing to your team and in
classroom discussions.

Communications
Following the lead to the Registrars office all communication in this class will be via
the students’ UTD EMAIL ACCOUNT. This will ensure that each student will
receive email communication about class assignments, teacher feedback and
changes in schedule.

Starting on Friday January 14, 2005 this course will be set up on WebCT with each
team having its own private work area. Students and the instructor will use WebCT
for posting of class slides, materials and instructional chat sessions when required.

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Classes
Class begins at 7:00 pm sharp and will run until 9:45 pm. Class sessions are roughly
divided into three sessions with a short break between sessions. There will be time in
most classes for teams to breakout in order to discuss and work their projects in class. I
will have guest speakers at some of the classes who will impart valuable information that
will help you develop your ideas and demonstrations. Final presentation will be made to
a green light committee of game developers, industry professionals and fellow students
from previous game development classes.

Instructors
Instructor

Name: John Fowler

Office Hours: By appointment
Office Location: School of Management Building
Executive Education Center
Room 1.915
Mail Stop: SM10
Office Phone: 972-883-4697
E-Mail: jfowler@utdallas.edu

Experience: I am a practitioner

I am an 18 year veteran of the game industry and have held positions of increasing roles
of responsibility for three major publishers. I have been responsible for video game sales
calling on major retailers, managed multiple million dollar marketing budgets, managed
marketing creative teams and launched several major video game titles. I have been CEO
and founder of my own development company with five completed and published
projects. (I will share many lessons learned with you in this class.)

I have been involved with UTD School of Management the past ten years. I am currently
working in the School of Management, Executive Education Department. I have taught
graduate level project management and been the Director of the UTD EMBA program. I
earned an EMBA in 1996 from UTD and I have a BFA from Manhattanville College.

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Name: Simon Hurley
Office Hours: By appointment
Office Location: Off Campus
Cell Phone: 214-668-6849
E-Mail: (1mb Limit) shurley99@hotmail.com

Originally from the UK, Simon grew up in America and graduated from Florida State
University (where playing and building levels for Doom nearly derailed his GPA). After
graduate school, he spent several years as a corporate manager, a technical recruiter, and
contract project manager, and worked for Gamestop.com. He was hired by Gearbox
Software, where he now serves a dual role in human resources and production.
Simon has guest lectured at The Guildhall, University of Texas at Dallas, and the
Computer Game Conference.

During Class
There will be two breaks during the class, but in an emergency use your own discretion.
Please do not cruise the internet or play games during the class unless it is to add
something to the discussion. Guests are welcome. Please set all phones, pagers, and
PDAs, to quiet mode. Making or answering calls in class are intrusive interruptions for
me and your classmates. Please no calls or leaving during class to take a call.

School Closings
If the University closes, that information is immediately posted to the home page at
www.utdallas.edu. The major radio and TV stations will also receive the and broadcast
the information.

Disabilities
Disability Services facilitates the delivery of academic accommodations for students with
disabilities. All new and returning students needing this service should contact Kerry
Tate at 972-883-2098 before classes begin each semester, and should provide that office
with a copy of their class schedule once registration is complete.

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Scholastic Honesty
The university has policies and procedures regarding scholastic dishonesty. Detailed
information is available at: http://www.utdallas.edu/student/slife/dishonesty.html. All
students are expected to maintain a high level of responsibility with respect to academic
honesty. Students who violate university rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal
from the university. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the
integrity of the university, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

Disclaimer

This syllabus is subject to change ----------------------------------------------------------------------