Class lectures are based on the following lecture notes. Games reviewed in class are listed in italics.
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Jan. 9 |
Rules | Play | Culture framework, course overview
[PDF]
[PPT] Portal, Pong (Atari VCS version), Plasma Pong |
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Jan. 11 |
Gamelogs, Game definitions
[PDF]
[PPT] Chu Chu Rocket |
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Jan. 14 |
Definitions of game and play, magic circle, operational, constituative, and implicit game rules. State machines.
[PDF]
[PPT] Guitar Hero II (XBox 360) |
|
Jan. 16 |
Games of emergence and progression. Conway's game of life. Gameworld rules.
[PDF]
[PPT] Super Mario Galaxy, Recca Summer Carnival '92 |
|
Jan. 18 |
Temporal aspects of computer games. Cardinality of gameplay. Game ends. Game exhaustion. Segmentation of gameplay.
[PDF]
[PPT] Ratchet and Clank Future: Tools of Destruction (PS3) |
|
Jan. 23 |
Introduction to RPG Maker and Game Maker.
[PDF]
[PPT] Astro Boy (video), student games demoed: New Age for An Old Warrior, Malloc, Village of Shadows, Bird Jumper |
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Jan. 25 |
Key abstractions in Game Maker. Sprites, objects, events, actions, rooms, sounds.
[PDF]
[PPT] Okami |
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Jan. 28 |
Game Maker backgrounds, inheritance, rooms (BrickMania 1 of 2).
[PDF]
[PPT] Phantom Dust |
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Jan. 30 |
Game Maker score, variables, conditionals (BrickMania 2 of 2).
Potential exam questions
[PDF]
[PPT] Breakmania game demonstrated in class [GMK] Kororinpa |
|
Feb. 4 |
Challenge and conflict. Feedback on first exam.
[PDF]
[PPT] Ico |
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Feb. 6 |
Interactivity. Core game mechanic.
[PDF]
[PPT] Mass Effect |
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Feb. 8 |
Reward systems. Types of rewards. Games as a system of pleasure.
[PDF]
[PPT] Gradius V |
|
Feb. 11 |
Interactive storytelling (guest lecture by Michael Mateas)
[PDF]
[PPT] Bioshock, Facade |
|
Feb. 13 |
Platform games: genre overview
[PDF]
[PPT] Donkey Kong, Pitfall, Pacland, Wonder Boy, Bug!, Jumping Flash, Super Mario 64, Lego Star Wars II |
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Feb. 15 |
Creating a platform game in Game Maker, collision detection
[PDF]
[PPT] Super Paper Mario |
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Feb. 20 |
Creating a platform game in Game Maker, all-in-one collision detection
[PDF]
[PPT] Game Maker 7 example shown in class (all-in-one platformer collision detection): [GMK] Student Independent Game Festival (IGF) Finalists: Crayon Physics Deluxe (video), Gesundheit!, Flipside (video), Ruckblende |
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Feb. 25 |
Potential Exam 2 questions Creating a platform game within Game Maker that has moving platforms, scrolling background, moving viewports [PDF] [PPT] Game Maker 7 examples shown in class: Moving platforms with updated all-in-one collision detection: [GMK] Shmup-like scrolling starfield and moving viewport: [GMK] NiGHTS into Dreams |
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Feb. 27 |
Exam 2 Answer Key (will be put online on Friday, March 7) [PDF] Sonic the Hedgehog |
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Feb. 29 |
Violence in games, games for women and girls [PDF] [PPT] Tomb Raider: Legend |
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Mar. 5 |
Genre overview of shmups [PDF] [PPT] Phoenix, Scramble, TwinBee Yahho!, Dodonpachi, Radiant Silvergun, Ikaruga, Cho Aniki, R-Type Final |
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Mar. 7 |
Governance and economics of virtual worlds [PDF] [PPT] IGF finalist videos: Fez, World of Goo, Battleships Forever. Also shown: video of Warning Forever |
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Mar. 10 |
Persuasive games [PDF] [PPT] SimCity Classic (web version), Oil God, Airport Security, September 12th |
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Mar. 12 |
Interactive Fiction, details on final exam [PDF] [PPT] Star Wars: Republic Commando, Zork I |
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Mar. 14 |
Future of computer games [PDF] [PPT] Civilization IV |
Last updated: 3/14/2008