1.2. PROJECT INFORMATIONImportant project information and advice

PROJECT SELECTIONSelecting your project – balancing ambition against time

The project (a game you really want to develop)•Most important aspect of this module, highlights your programming skill and worth 100% of overall module credit

•You get to select the game you want to develop. You will have some control over how it is marked.

•There are compulsory hand-in points, with final assessment at the end of the module. The assessment may involve a viva.

Some advice on selecting a project...•Firstly, and most importantly, develop something that you think is fun.

•Base your project on a simple idea that can be readily implemented within the available time.

•Plan to develop a short demo and not a fully featured game (aim to have all game features experienced within 10 minutes of play)

Some advice on selecting a project...• Include contingency planning within your project.

•Consider the assessment criteria for your project (think about your project mark distribution)

At the end of the second week you will submit a short outline of your planned game and its features and receive feedback on game challenge, scope, etc.

Picking a development language

Note: Students on the MEng in Computer Game Development must use XNA

XNA is considerably more capable than Java for writing games

XNA provides experience of C# and .NET (liked by industry, can help with placement)

×XNA involves learning a new language (C#) although it is a close cousin of Java

×More of a learning curve (although project assessment is mindful of this)

Should you select XNA? What are the pros and cons

My advice? If you feel comfortable with Java then pick XNA. If you feel a bit uncomfortable with Java – then stick with Java!

Working as part of a team•You can work as part of a team on a larger game project if you wish

•Be aware of advantages/ disadvantages

•A team that ‘gels’ and has a good mix of skills will do well.

•A single mark will be awarded to the entire project. Peer distribution of marks will then be used

• I will act as a brokering service if needed

PROJECT STRUCTUREProject timeline and hand-in points. Project assessment and assurance.

Final Submission

End Week 11

Assessment Distribution

Alpha code version

End Week 9

Architecture / Early Prototyping

End Week 6

Initial Game Concept

End Week 2

Project TimelineWeek 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12

Game Concept / Development

Assessment Vivas

Initial Architectural Development and Prototyping

Code Development

LecturesLectures LecturesLectures ProjectLectures LecturesLectures LecturesLectures MarkingProject

Project Development ReportThe Project Development Report provides a complete record of project development, containing:

•Team/individual information

•Proposed project details and feedback

•Exploratory milestone details and feedback

•Alpha milestone details and feedback

•Final submission information and peer assessment

•Final project assessment and awarded mark

To do:

Read

Areas of Project Assessment

Each project will be marked out of 100 and judged against the following categories of assessment:

• Game concept and gameplay

• Quality of architectural design

• Use of graphics and/or sound

• Extent of game features

• Complexity of game algorithms

• Coding style and code quality

Areas of Project AssessmentYou can decide how 60 marks (out of the total 100 marks) will be allocated. Doing this, you can adapt the marking scheme to your chosen game.

Category Mark Range

Flexibility

Game concept and gameplay 10 marks Fixed

Quality of architectural design 10 marks Fixed

Use of graphics/sound 5-30 marks Variable

Extent of game features 5-30 marks Variable

Complexity of game algorithms 5-30 marks Variable

Coding style and code quality 20 marks Fixed

Areas of Project Assessment• All interim project hand-ins are compulsory.

• Failure to pass interim hand-ins will result in automatic module failure.

I will fail someone who does not engage with the course. However, I will be understanding of circumstance – just keep me informed.

Code Reuse and Project Assurance• You can make use of existing algorithms, code fragments, classes and libraries..

• Hand-in points will be used to record project development.

• All projects will be subject to an on-line plagiarism test. It is vital that you clearly identify bits that draw on other sources.

• Vivas will be held to assure authenticity if there is uncertainty. Failing the viva will result in automatic module failure.

All suspected academic offences will be subject to the University’s Academic Offences regulations.

LEARNING CONTACTLearning agreement and some truths about this module

Learning ContractThings which you can expect of me:

In general: ● I’m here to help ● I will be supportive and non-judgemental

Within lectures: ● I won’t regurgitate material within lectures.

● I’m very happy to answer questions

Assessment: ● I will be fair, honest and consistent for all assessment

Things which I will expect of you:

● You will attend lectures and explore the weekly study packs● You will work on your project throughout the duration of the module

Learning Contract

Some slightly unpleasant truths…For many students (arguably most), aspects of this module may put you in situations that fall slightly outside of your comfort zone.

Whilst not comfortable, this often results in excellent learning.

To do:

Read

Summary

To do:Complete Question Clinic

Keep thinking about game

(make sure it’s fun),

possible team,

development language

Carefully read project

development report

Think about unpleasant

truths document

Today we explored:

The types of game we might develop

How the project is structured

How the project is assessed

Some unpleasant truths