Course overview
Stuart Moulthrop
Professor, School of Information Arts and Technologies
200-F Academic Center, 410/837-5301
smoulthrop[at]ubalt[dot]edu
iat.ubalt.edu/moulthrop
Description and Objectives
This is the introductory course for the Simulation and Digital Entertainment major. It has three main objectives: (1) to survey the organization and procedures of professional development in games and interactive software; (2) to develop critical skills for observing and understanding game design through reflective play; and (3) to introduce a first game development tool, object-oriented ActionScript for Adobe Flash.
Texts and Software
| Both main texts should be available in the Bookstore. Order online if not. | |
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Introduction to the Game Industry. Prentice Hall, 2006.THIS BOOK IS REQUIRED. | .
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ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University. Que, 2007.THIS BOOK IS OPTIONAL. |
| We will use Adobe Flash CS 4, which is available on all PCs in AC 219. You are not required to purchase this software, though choosing not to do so will mean relying on available Lab hours. If you own an earlier version, ONLY FLASH CS 3 IS ACCEPTABLE. Versions earlier than CS 3 do not support ActionScript 3.0. | |
Grading Scheme
| 25% | Quizzes |
| 15% | Research-in-Play Responses |
| 25% | Midterm Project |
| 35% | Final Project |
Preview of Graded Assignments
I will post on this site detailed instructions for each assignment as we go. Follow the directions and specifications in the posts. The brief descriptions offered here are simply previews. Actual assignments may differ.
- Quizzes
- There will be a five-question quiz at the beginning of class most Wednesdays, based on the reading assigned in Moore and Sward. Mainly, questions will address factual information from the chapter, or occasionally matters covered in lecture and discussion in the previous class. If you arrive late to class, you may take the quiz at the end of class. Quizzes missed for absence may not be made up, though I will drop your two lowest quiz grades, permitting two absences.
- Research-in-Play (RIP) Response
- After discussion of reading, most Wednesday sessions will be devoted to a critical play session in which you will play or observe a classmate playing a game. At the end of the session, you will write a brief response, usually working from a prompt I will supply. This is graded work. Like quizzes, RIP responses may not be made up if you miss class. The two lowest marks (such as zeroes for absence) will be dropped.
- Midterm Project
- Working solo, you will produce an ActionScript 3 version of a popular Internet game, Details to come.
- Final Project
- Working in teams of 2-4, you will produce a platformer or other classic video game design, using ActionScript 3. This project is due December 19, WITH NO EXTENSIONS.
Late Work
Quizzes and RIP responses may not be submitted late. Likewise, the final project is due December 19 unless all members of your team agree to file for Incomplete grades.
For the midterm project, work will be downgraded one letter grade for each week of lateness: so A work turned in a week late is worth a B, or a C if it is two weeks late.
I will NOT accept work more than two weeks after deadline, unless you have a medical or other serious excuse, and discuss the problem with me in a timely manner.
PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES. Failure to submit work on time is a major cause of poor grades. More important, game and software design are deadline-intensive industries, where one employee's lateness can hold up an entire team and jeopardize a product. Professionals do not tolerate lateness. You will not survive in this business if you blow off deadlines.
Save the Trees
Generally speaking, I will NOT make copies of assignments and other documents posted to this class Web site. Check the site regularly for updates and important information. If you do not have Internet access from home, use the classroom. I reserve the right to revise the syllabus and course plan, with consultation, and with the understanding that workload will not increase above what is outlined on this page.
Furlough Policy
The University System of Maryland has imposed a furlough program for the coming academic year, but the University of Baltimore has not yet announced its implementation. Furlough days are unpaid leave. I will post more information as soon as possible. I will not be available for University business on furlough days.
Getting in Touch
My office is 200-F in the Academic Center of the University of Baltimore (1420 North Charles Street). My office hours for Fall, 2009 are Wednesdays and Thursdays, 3:00-6:00 PM. If you need to see me at another time, please arrange an appointment via e-mail.
Reach me by phone in the Baltimore office at 410/837-5301 or by e-mail at smoulthrop[at]ubalt[dot]edu.
I receive a large volume of mail daily, and generally do not read mail over the weekend. Current students have first priority for response, but for urgent matters, please use the phone and/or voicemail.
Please note that I am teaching an additional course above my standard load this semester.
Additional Policies
A statement of general academic policies appears on my Web site as an extension of this syllabus. See iat.ubalt.edu/moulthrop/policies.htm.
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