Early Thinking about the Term Project

Twenty-five percent of your grade for this course is based on a term project due at the end of the semester. Though it doesn't count for quite as much as Perfect Little Programs or How To, I invite you to use the Term Project for two purposes: first, to try out design and scripting techniques not included in the major assignments; and in the process to build a portfolio piece of which you're particularly proud.

I'm going to leave specifics of your term project to you, and there probably won't be any regular deadlines. It's perfectly acceptable to do most of your work for this project near the end of the semester. However, I'd like you to do a bit of early thinking at this point about what you'd like to build. To that end, a few suggestions:

• Arcade-style games, such as Pong, Tetris, Asteroids, Frogger, etc. Since this is a smaller assignment, you only need to build a limited version of the game (say, with only a single level of play).
  
  
• A viewpoint-style navigation system (on the model of Myst) for either a real (photographed) or virtual environment. Vue d'Esprit fans take note. Build a world and let us explore it. A small world (for instance, an island) and a complete navigation system would be sufficient; but if you feel ambitious you may try setting up a game or telling a story.
  
  
• A Director-based version of a personal Web site, including departments for your various interests, professional accomplishments, and creative work. Project must include at least five departments and a satisfactory navigation system.
  
  
• A linear or interactive animation with at least 90 seconds runtime.
  
  
• A project of some kind (scope and details negotiable) showcasing Director 8.x's 3-D effects.
  
  
• Anything not listed here, provided you and I both agree it's interesting and do-able.