Spieleentwicklung – Motivation Gratis ;)

Dr. Mathias Lux

ITEC – Universität Klagenfurtmlux@itec.uni-klu.ac.at

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Agenda

● Why teaching computer games?● Basic game development● Microsoft XNA Game Studio● Create a game - Little Big Planet

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Why teaching computer games?

● Commercial relevanceo Games are a big business

● Research and technologyo Games lead to innovation

● Application of knowledge in game dev.o Maths, physics, algorithms, data structureso Project management & planningo Self reflection and team work

Image (cc) by http://www.flickr.com/photos/juliebee

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Why teaching computer games?

● Many people …o play games themselves!o assume they are experts!o think they can do better!

Image (cc) by http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilschelly

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Impact on Industry

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Games as part of our culture …

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Games as part of our culture …

● Human TETRIS Performanceo GAME OVER Projecto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0LtUX_6IXY

● Real Life Donkey Kongo Bam Margerao http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KyIpMtvJvE

● Real Marioo Gordon Collegeo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0fCnf8uWxw

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Agenda

● Why teaching computer games?● Basic game development● Microsoft XNA Game Studio● Create a game - Little Big Planet

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Topics

● Arcade gameso Typically 2D, lots of historical examples

● Puzzle gameso Simple graphics, focus on logic

● Mobile gameso Realistic scope & deployment scenario

● Educational games for kidso Topic based, more weight on story

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Aspects

● Programming skillso Learning by doing

● Hands-on with toolso GFX (Gimp, Blender …), SFX (Audacity …)

● Soft skillso Teamwork, discussion, coordination, creativity

● Specific topics in different areaso Physics, geometry, linear algebra, AI, …

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Project Milestones

1. Planning & Design2. Implementation 3. Testing & Evaluation4. Deployment5. Post mortem

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Typical Basic Elements (I)

● Game Loopo Painting current state to screen

● Spriteso Moving objects, animated

● Levelo The playground

● Scoreo The achievement & reward system

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Typical Basic Elements (II)

● Collision Detectiono Check if objects interfere

● Soundo Background & SFX

● Game AIo Some “intelligence”, dynamics or adaptation

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Agenda

● Why teaching computer games?● Basic game development● Microsoft XNA Game Studio● Create a game - Little Big Planet

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Microsoft XNA Game Studio

● Set of game development tools● Based on .NET Compact Framework● Available in version 3.1

o Free 2 use

● Programming in C#o Help in MSDN / Knowledgebase

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Out-of-the-Box Game

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Experience with XNA

● Students find their way fasto Workshop (1 day) for first tutorial based game

● Students are occupied for hours o Hours of adaptations

• Graphics and sounds• Gameplay and levels• Testing and tuning

● XNA is very powerfulo With necessary limitations

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Experience with XNA

● Team members have different roleso Sound & 2D Designo Implementation & Testingo Planning & Coordination

● Learning programming along the wayo How can we rotate/scale/translate a sprite?o How can we add a loop for …?

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Summer Camp 2008-2009

● Arcade game development in teams of 2o Students of age 16-18o Basic knowledge of programming (Java)

● Duration: 5 Days with ~ 3 hours each● Results

o Steep learning curveo 2 (out of 5) very innovative projects

• Design & Gameplay

o Students programmed in their spare time

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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VK Games @ Uni Klu

● Goal: Arcade (Casual) Gameo In 6 weeks of development timeo With planning and self reflectiono In teams of 3 with max. 40 h of work each

● Resultso All but one projects finishedo Everyone put a lot more effort in than 40 h

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Proposed Format

1. One day workshop as introductiono Basics on gameso Basics on game developmento Self directed learning through tutorials

2. Multiple units of self directed (but tutored) game development.o Based on the outcome of the tutorial

3. Final presentation of the outcome

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Resources

● XNA Creators Clubo Lots of tutorials and game sampleso http://creators.xna.com/de-DE/education/catalog/

● Visual C# Express Editiono Free 2 use version of visual studioo http://www.microsoft.com/express/vcsharp/

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Agenda

● Why teaching computer games?● Basic game development● Microsoft XNA Game Studio● Create a game - Little Big Planet

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Little Big Planet

● Basically a 2.5-D platformer● Extensive physics engine● Cute graphics● Additional „community features“

http://www.uni-klu.ac.at

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Links …

Slides (pptx, pdf, cc) available at:

● http://tinyurl.com/inf2school-n== http://www.itec.uni-klu.ac.at/~mlux/wiki/doku.php?id=inf2school

Contact:● Mathias Lux, mlux@itec.uni-klu.ac.at