Course details

Introduction to Game Development

1ZHERV FaVU 1ZHERV Acad. year 2022/2023 Winter semester 4 credits

Current academic year

The ever-increasing impact of computer games, simulators, and "serious games" applications undeniably shows their future potential. However, their development requires a comprehensive overview of a wide range of topics and creative approaches used in solving various and unconventional problems. In the course Game Design Principles (IZH), we introduce participants to the issue of game development both in terms of theoretical algorithms and procedures, as well as practical experience using the Unity platform.

WHY IS THE COURSE TAUGHT
The course offers participants an introduction to the development of computer games. However, this knowledge can be applied in a broader context. Thanks to the massive demand for visualizations and prototypes, the so-called "serious games" are frequently utilized in many applications. Their uses range from games for entertainment, architectural designs, product prototypes, visualizations, and presentations to film prototypes. The theoretical part of the course takes the form of lectures, introducing the general concepts, algorithms, and procedures of game design. Further, the practical exercises allow the students to deepen their abilities through regular demonstrations, practical exercises, and a project focused on the Unity development platform.

Guarantor

Course coordinator

Language of instruction

Czech

Completion

Classified Credit

Time span

  • 26 hrs lectures
  • 12 hrs exercises
  • 14 hrs projects

Assessment points

  • 100 pts projects

Department

Lecturer

Instructor

Course Web Pages

Subject specific learning outcomes and competences

ACQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCES FROM THE SUBJECT
Students will learn the basic terminology of game design set in the contemporary game development process.
Students will gain an overview of algorithms and techniques used in the implementation of interactive and passive multimedia applications.
Students will learn to solve common problems in game development using the Unity development platform.
Students will be able to transform concepts and ideas into real-world applications using prototypes and hands-on development processes.



SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND COMPETENCES GENERAL
Students will learn to solve simple programming problems through regular assignments.
Students will become proficient in the practical use of programming, debugging and modelling tools.
Students will practice scripting and programming in C# and HLSL.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Learning objectives

The objective is to provide the students with an overview of game application development. We present the practical implementation using the Unity platform, focusing on both game and serious applications. Students will get acquainted with individual game systems, their relevance in the whole, and finally, how to implement them. Specifically, we focus on game development issues concerning communication with the user, rendering, physical simulation, sound, and modeling. Further, we introduce the participants to frequently used game development tools. Ultimately, the acquired knowledge enables the students to transform their ideas into real interactive and passive applications, providing the necessary groundwork for further development.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Necessary prerequisite knowledge includes:
Basics of Algebra and Geometry: matrices, vectors, transformations, projections.
Basics of Programming: troubleshooting, any programming or scripting language.
Basics of Computer Graphics and Multimedia: 3D rendering, forms of multimedia data.

Study literature

  • Raph Koster; Theory of Fun for Game Design; O'Reilly Media; 2013 (2. vyd.).

Fundamental literature

  • Jason Gregory; Game Engine Architecture; A K Peters/CRC Press; 2018 (3. vyd.).
  • Jesse Schnell; The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses; A K Peters/CRC Press; 2019 (3. vyd.).
  • Robert Nystrom; Game Programming Patterns; Gennever Benning; 2014 (1. vyd.) + online.
  • [Manuál Unity](https://docs.unity3d.com/Manual/index.html)
  • [The Book of Shaders](https://thebookofshaders.com/)

Progress assessment

Submission and presentation of the Game Jam project are mandatory, with no less than 50 points required to pass the course successfully. Each student can further obtain bonus points from practical exercises. 

ASSESSMENT POINTS
100 project, 28 practical exercises (bonus points)

Teaching methods and criteria

26 hrs lectures, 12 hrs demonstration exercises, 14 hrs projects

Teaching will be in the form of lectures followed by tutor-led exercises and independent work on projects.

Controlled instruction

PROGRESS ASSESSMENT
Practical exercises up to 7 x 4 = 28 bonus points.
Game Jam project up to 100 points.
Minimum to pass the course according to the ECTS assessment is 50 points (+bonus points).

CONTROLLED INSTRUCTION
The practical exercises are assigned and evaluated during the semester.
The Game Jam project takes place during the final weeks of the semester, ending with the time limit expiration.

Course inclusion in study plans

  • Programme BIT, 2nd year of study, Elective
  • Programme IT-BC-3, field BIT, 2nd year of study, Elective
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