NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COLLEGE

COURSE SYLLABUS

 

Course Title: Intro to Game Design & Development

Course Prefix & Number: GAME1303 Section Number: 848 Semester/Year: 18F

Semester Credit Hours: 3 Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

 

Course Description (NCTC Catalog):

Introduction to electronic game development and game development careers. Includes examination of history and philosophy of

games, the game production process, employee factors for success in the field, and current issues and practices in the game

development industry. At the conclusion of the course a student will be able to: Describe the history and evolution of video and

computer games and game genres; identify the phases and processes involved in developing a computer game; design a simple

computer game from initial concept to final design document; and describe current trends in the game industry with regards to hiring

practices, working conditions, etc.

 

Course Prerequisite(s): None

 

Course Materials:

 

Required: Unity 2018: Free software download online or by request.

Google Drive access

 

Optional : Personal storage device.

 

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

Name of Instructor: Benjamin T. Elio

Campus/Office Location: iSchool High Lewisville Entrepreneurial Academy

Telephone Number: 972-317-2470

E-mail Address: belio@responsiveed.com

 

OFFICE HOURS

Monday-Friday

8:30-9:15am

Office hours will be on campus during the allotted times. Please make an appointment to

ensure you are seen. If you don’t make an appointment, students will be helped on first come

first serve basis.

 

 

INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING GOALS

Quality technical programs leading directly to careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations,

and quality technical education programs up to two years in length leading to certificates and

associate degrees.

 

PROGRAM PURPOSE STATEMENT

NCTC seeks to implement its goal of providing quality technical programs leading directly to

careers in semi-skilled and skilled occupations, and quality technical education programs up to

two years in length leading to certificates and associate degrees by offering a coherent

sequence of courses with appropriate breadth and depth to prepare students for success in the

workforce.

 

DEPARTMENTAL PURPOSE STATEMENT

The goal of the Computer Information Technology (CITE) program is to prepare students for

successful entry level careers in the IT industry, and/or prepare students for success in pursuing

higher education in the Computer Information System and Technology fields.

 

COURSE TYPE

□ Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

□ Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

X WECM Course

 

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES From Workforce Education Course Manual

At the successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

1 Describe the history and evolution of video and computer games and game genres.

2 Identify the phases and processes involved in developing a computer game.

3 Design a simple computer game from initial concept to final design document.

4 Describe current trends in the game industry with regards to hiring practices, working conditions, etc.

 

GRADING CRITERIA

 

8 Projects and Labs - 35%

5 Quizzes - 20%

12 Assignments - 20%

5 Attendance - 10%

1 Practicum/Skills Assessment: Final Project - 10%

 

GRADING SCALE

100-90 A

90-80 B

80-70 C

>70 F

 

COURSE SUBJECT OUTLINE (Major Assignments, Due Dates, and Grading Criteria)

 

Aug 27- 20

History of Gaming, Careers in Gaming, Project 1

Sep 4-8

Creating the Core

Sep 10-14

Game Design Details, Goals/Missions/Mechanics

Sep 17-21

Game Systems, Characters, Project 2

Sep 24-28

Strategy, Dilemmas, Project 3

Oct 1-5

Audience, Aesthetics, Narrative

Oct 8-12

Design Pitch, Game Document, Project 4

Oct 15-19

Game Design Doc, Project 5

Oct 22-26

The Market for Games, Project 6

Oct 29-Nov 2

Starting your Game Company

Nov 5-9

IP, Ethics, Copyright

Nov 12-16

Preparing your Game, Project 7

Nov 26-30

Unity Game Building, Project 8

Nov 19-23

Thanksgiving Break

Dec 3-14

Game Practicum

 

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have

registered. All absences are considered to be unauthorized unless the student is absent due to

illness or emergencies as determined by the instructor. It is the student responsibility to

provide documentation as to the emergency for approval and judgment by the faculty

member. Approved college-sponsored activities are the only absences for which a student

should not be held liable and only when provided by a college official ahead of the absence.

Valid reasons for absence, however, do not relieve the student of the responsibility for making

up required work. Students will not be allowed to make up an examination missed due to

absence unless they have reasons acceptable to the instructor. A student who is compelled to

be absent when a test is given should petition the instructor, in advance if possible, for

permission to postpone the exam. The student will be dropped from a class by the Registrar upon

a recommendation of the instructor who feels the student has been justifiably absent or tardy a

sufficient number of times to preclude meeting the course’s objectives. Persistent,

unjustified absences from classes or laboratories will be considered sufficient cause for College

officials to drop a student from the rolls of the College. From Board Policy FC (LOCAL)

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is ________.

 

 

 

 

DISABILITY SERVICES (Office for Students with Disabilities)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides support services for students with

disabilities, students enrolled in technical areas of study, and students who are classified as

special populations (i.e. single parents).

Support services for students with disabilities might include appropriate and reasonable

accommodations, or they may be in the form of personal counseling, academic counseling,

career counseling, etc. Furthermore, OSD Counselors work with students to encourage

self-advocacy and promote empowerment. The Counselors also provides resource information,

disability-related information, and adaptive technology for students who qualify.

If you feel you have needs for services that the institution provides, please reach out to either

Wayne Smith (940) 498-6207 or Yvonne Sandman (940) 668-4321. Alternative students may

stop by Room 170 in Corinth or Room 110 in Gainesville.

 

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook and

published online.

 

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

Scholastic dishonesty shall include but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, academic

falsification, intellectual property dishonesty, academic dishonesty facilitation, and collusion.

Faculty members may document and bring charges against a student who is engaged in or is

suspected to be engaged in academic dishonesty. See Student Handbook, “Student Rights &

Responsibilities: Student Conduct ([FLB(LOCAL)]”.

Consequences of academic dishonesty may include:

1) First offense, written warning & referral to Director.

2) The second offense dropped from the course.

 

QUESTIONS, CONCERNS, or COMPLAINTS

 

Name of Chair/Coordinator: Susan Svane

Office Location: 1400 N Corinth St., Ste 101 & 102

Telephone Number: 940-498-6438

E-mail Address: ssvane@nctc.edu

 

Name of Instructional Dean: Debbie Huffman

Office Location: Gainesville Career and Technical Center

Telephone Number: 940-668-3357

E-mail Address: dhuffman@nctc.com