Content Outline and Competencies:

I. A Brief Introduction to Game Development
   A. Summarize the history of games.
   B. Identify and describe the most important games and genres for each
decade.
   C. Show the influence that prior games have had on modern game
production.
   D. Describe the game industry as it currently stands.
      1. The process
      2. The team

II. Preproduction
   A. Outline the initial stages of game production.
      1. Working prototype
      2. Budget
      3. Timelines
   B. Describe how the preliminary idea of the game is laid out.
      1. Game narrative
      2. Key gameplay mechanics
   C. Illustrate the process of pitching the game to a publishing company
for financing.
      1. Sales sheet
      2. Design document
      3. Interactive demo
      4. Technical design document
      5. Risk analysis
      6. Project plan
      7. Cost forecasts

III. Production
   A. Define the roles of the key developers who take the game from
conception to finished product.
      1. Director
      2. Producer
      3. Level designers
      4. Programmers
      5. Artists
      6. Audio developers
      7. Writers
   B. Describe the testing process to ensure that the game is bug free
before release.

IV. Postproduction
   A. Cover the life cycle of the game after the main production phase is
over.
   B. Locate other territories in which to release the game.
   C. Plan ahead for sequels and expansions of the successful game.

V. Business and Finance
   A. Describe the marketing and public relation strategies to inform the
public of the game and how good it is.
   B. Define emerging alternative finance models.
      1. Mobile games
      2. Multiplayer online games

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Game Industry 
   A. Examine the roles of the publisher and the developer. 
   B. Review the pitch documentation. 
   C. Discuss pitching a game to a publisher. 
   D. Explore legal agreements. 
   E. Discuss licenses.

II. Roles on the Team 
   A. Explore production roles. 
   B. Explore art roles. 
   C. Explore engineering roles. 
   D. Explore design roles. 
   E. Explore quality assurance roles. 
   F. Discuss team organization.

III. Game Production 
   A. Describe the production cycle. 
   B. Outline the basic tasks in the preproduction phase. 
   C. Outline the basic tasks in the production phase. 
   D. Outline the basic tasks in the testing phase. 
   E. Outline the basic tasks in the postproduction phase.

IV. The Game Concept 
   A. Investigate how to begin the process. 
      1. Explore motivation. 
      2. Define the target audience. 
      3. Review the initial concept. 
      4. Determine the genre.
   B. Define the concept. 
      1. Define a mission statement. 
      2. Determine a game setting. 
      3. Define gameplay mechanics. 
      4. Explore a story synopsis. 
      5. Define a user interface. 
      6. Outline the audio elements.

V. Characters, Setting and Story 
   A. Illustrate story development. 
   B. Relate story to gameplay. 
   C. Explore the game setting in relation to character and story.

VI. Game Requirements 
   A. Define game features. 
   B. Define milestones and deliverables. 
   C. Evaluate possible technology to be used in the game. 
   D. Define the tools and the pipeline. 
   E. Describe the game requirements documentation.

VII. The Game Plan 
   A. Explain dependencies. 
   B. Describe the process of schedule creation. 
   C. Explain the budgeting process. 
   D. Review the game plan outline.

VIII. Marketing and Public Relations 
   A. Summarize software age ratings. 
   B. Explore how to work with marketing. 
   C. Describe how to plan for a demo.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Game Development Environment 
   A. Construct a simple game. 
   B. Implement more complex actions. 
   C. Implement complex control sequences in the game. 
   D. Analyze and improve the game using principles derived from game design. 
   E. Analyze and improve the implementation of the game by using Object Oriented Programming techniques. 
   F. Add levels to the game.
 
II. Designing a Game 
   A. Describe what makes a "good" game. 
   B. Discuss the role of challenges and goals in a game context. 
   C. Discuss the use of rewards in motivating game play. 
   D. Describe the principal game genres and discuss how they differ. 
   E. Apply game design ideas to a simple game.
 
III. Construct 2D and 3D Game Levels 
   A. Construct a 2D game. 
       1. Describe the features of a “2D” game development environment. 
       2. Create 2D game frameworks. 
       3. Add assets and levels to the game. 
   B. Construct a 3D game. 
       1. Describe the features of a "3D" game development environment. 
       2. Create a single level. 
       3. Add assets and rooms to the level.
 
IV. Employ Graphics, Sound and Animation 
   A. Discuss features of common graphics formats. 
   B. List common graphics programs. 
   C. Discuss sound effects and music. 
   D. List common sound and music programs. 
   E. Discuss and demonstrate various animation techniques.
 
V. Student Game Experience 
   A. Describe how game preferences have changed over time. 
   B. Describe social interactions associated with game play. 
   C. Contrast on-line game experiences with single-player mode experiences. 
   D. Formulate a set of "good practice recommendations" related to video game use.
 
VI. Game Project Development 
   A. Describe a game project in concise terms to convey its scope and concept. 
   B. Develop a detailed specification for the game project: narrative, characters, art work and setting, game play and technology requirements. 
   C. Develop a time-line and play for completing the game, including significant milestones.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Games Overview 
   A. Identify the major genres of games. 
   B. Compare and contrast modern digital game platforms. 
   C. Review the types of non-digital games. 
   D. Identify the major audiences games are targeted towards.
 
II. Games History 
   A. Discuss the history of digital games. 
   B. Identify how table-top games have impacted video games. 
   C. Outline the development of key genres in video games.
 
III. Core Experience of a Game 
   A. Define the core experience of a game. 
   B. Describe how to identify the core experience of a game. 
   C. Discuss how games with similar core experiences can play very differently. 
   D. Review a modern game and identify the core experience and how the elements of that game reinforce the core experience. 
   E. Describe target audiences.
 
IV. Theme in Games 
   A. Discuss how theme can be integrated into a game’s design. 
   B. Discuss how graphics and aesthetics can be used to reinforce theme.
 
V. Game Mechanics 
   A. Discuss the difference between mechanics and rules. 
   B. Compare skill based mechanics to luck based mechanics. 
   C. Review probability and random numbers. 
   D. Discuss how to prototype mechanics.
 
VI. Design Documents 
   A. Discuss the importance of design documents. 
   B. Review design documents from existing games. 
   C. Identify the tools used to create and maintain design documents. 
   D. Demonstrate the ability to create a design document.
 
VII. Game Creation 
   A. Discuss brainstorming techniques. 
   B. Create a game based on a given theme. 
   C. Demonstrate the game in-class.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Game Programming Environment

A. Configure the Interactive Development Environment (IDE).

B. Identify engine requirements.

C. Identify target platforms.

D. Demonstrate an understanding of source control.

II. Game Programming Basics

A. Describe the main game loop.

B. Demonstrate how to create placeholder assets.

C. Discuss the proper use of vector and matrix operations.

D. Examine methods of placeholder art creation.

III. Basic Game Development

A. Demonstrate the ability to create basic game play based on a design document.

B. Create a technical specification from a design document.

C. Demonstrate basic debugger and profiler usage.

D. Describe basic 3D physics techniques.

IV. External Assets Integration

A. Identify proper methods for crediting other people's work.

B. Describe the process of replacing placeholder assets with final assets.

V. Game Creation

A. Demonstrate proper User Interface (UI) techniques.

B. Create a game with a proper UI system.

C. Integrate 2D, 3D and sound assets not created by the student.

D. Demonstrate proper crediting techniques.

VI. Game Publication

A. Compare and contrast the different methods of publishing a game.

B. Demonstrate the ability to publish a game to a website.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. User-Centered Design

A. Identify the goal of user-centered design.

B. Identify the mindset of the end user.

II. User-Centered Design Usage

A. Identify possible end users for internal tools.

B. Explain what questions need to be asked to expose the goals of specific tools.

C. Explain how user-centered design can be helpful.

D. Practice pre-visualization techniques.

E. Evaluate the need for a tool versus the lack of time and/or budget for the tool's creation.

III. User-Centered Design Systems

A. Evaluate whether a tool will be useful.

B. Analyze the context of different tools.

C. Evaluate different methods of measuring tools.

IV. Designing Multiple User-Centered Design Systems

A. Design a feedback user-centered design system

B. Design a tool which utilizes grouping of associate information.

C. Design a tool which utilizes the UI hierarchy.

D. Compare and contrast feedback and feed-forward user-centered design systems.

E. Design a tool which utilizes chunking.

F. Design a tool which utilizes natural mapping.

V. Evaluating Multiple User-Centered Design Systems

A. Practice strategies for evaluating user-centered design systems.

B. Compare and contrast code evaluation methods versus pre-visualization evaluation.

C. Practice heuristic evaluation.

VI. Comparing User-Centered Design Systems

A. Review the current state of tools in the industry.

B. Evaluate script-based tools.

C. Evaluate form-based tools.

D. Evaluate engine-based tools.

E. Compare and contrast script-, form- and engine-based tools.

VII. Creating Multiple User-Centered Design Systems

A. Create and evaluate a script-based tool.

B. Create and evaluate a form-based tool.

C. Create and evaluate an engine-based tool.

D. Create and evaluate a web form-based tool.

VIII. Pipeline Management Systems

A. Create and evaluate a system for converting assets.

B. Create and evaluate a system for cross-team cohesion.

C. Create and evaluate a system for asset importation.

D. Create and evaluate a system for automating workflow.

IX. Source Control

A. Identify the pros and cons of various source control systems.

B. Use a source control system.

C. Demonstrate ability to use a source control system for storage, merging, branching, forking and rolling back code.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Level Editing 
   A. Define level editing. 
   B. Identify the role of level editing in game creation. 
   C. Compare and contrast to level design.
 
II. Level Flow 
   A. Identify different methods of controlling where players can go. 
   B. Discuss the importance of defining a level's purpose.
 
III. Whiteboxing 
   A. Discuss the importance of rapid iteration. 
   B. Describe the technique of whiteboxing. 
   C. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of whiteboxing. 
   D. Create a level using whiteboxing.
 
IV. Interactive Elements 
   A. Discuss the importance of interactive elements in a game. 
   B. Identify common interactive elements players expect to see. 
   C. Create several interactive elements to place in a level.
 
V. Scripted Sequences 
   A. Discuss the importance of scripted sequences. 
   B. Identify common techniques for controlling interactive sequences. 
   C. Design a scripted sequence. 
   D. Implement a scripted sequence in a game.
 
VI. Game Level Creation 
   A. Identify the purpose of the level. 
   B. Implement the whitebox of the level. 
   C. Design and implement the interactive elements. 
   D. Design and implement a scripted sequence.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Introduction to Game Worlds 
   A. Identify the importance of game worlds. 
   B. Discuss existing game worlds. 
   C. Evaluate an existing game world on how complete it feels.
 
II. Game World Basics 
   A. Define story light and story heavy. 
   B. Compare and contrast story light and story heavy worlds. 
   C. Discuss the various forms a game world can take.
 
III. Game Worlds 
   A. Identify the term game world. 
   B. Discuss existing worlds using this term. 
   C. Create a game world.
 
IV. Game Regions 
   A. Identify the term game region. 
   B. Discuss existing worlds using this term. 
   C. Discuss different methods of changing game regions in game. 
   D. Create a game region.
 
V. Game Levels 
   A. Identify the term game level. 
   B. Discuss existing worlds using this term. 
   C. Discuss different methods of changing game levels in game. 
   D. Create a game level. 

VI. Collaborative World Creation 
   A. Design a game world in collaboration with other students. 
   B. Design at least two game regions in the game world. 
   C. Design at least two game levels in the game region.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Prototyping vs. Production 
   A. Compare and contrast the difference between prototype development and production. 
   B. Identify the need for prototyping. 
   C. Identify the different kinds of prototyping.
 
II. Best Practices 
   A. Identify the best practices for prototyping. 
   B. Discuss how best practices can be applied to different types of prototyping.
 
III. Peer Review Process 
   A. Identify how to conduct a peer review. 
   B. Discuss how to critique other's work in a professional manner.
 
IV. Rapid Prototype Creation 
   A. Identify a game mechanic to prototype. 
   B. Create a prototype of the mechanic.
 
V. Prototype Review 
   A. Discuss the prototypes created by the class. 
   B. Identify the implementations that worked well and those that did not. 
   C. Identify the next mechanic to iterate.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Nature of Artificial Intelligence

A. Describe established game AI.

B. Forecast possible futures for game AI.

II. Movement and Decision Making

A. Analyze chasing and evading.

1. Basic chasing and evading

2. Line-of-sight methods

3. Intercepting behaviors

B. Summarize and explore pattern movement.

1. Standard algorithm

2. Pattern movement

3. Continuous environments

4. Tiled environments

5. Physically simulated environments

C. Analyze Flocking.

1. Classic flocking

2. Obstacle avoidance

3. Follow-the-leader behavior

D. Examine Basic Pathfinding and Waypoints'.

1. Pathfinding

2. Waypoint navigation

E. Summarize and examine A* pathfinding.

1. Components of A*

a. Define the search area

b. Examine how to start the search

c. Create a scoring system

d. Analyze how to deal with dead ends

e. Define a terrain cost

2. Influence mapping

III. Learning Behaviors

A. Define and analyze Finite State Machines (FSM).

1. Basic FSM model

2. Design an FSM

3. Analyze an ant example

B. Describe and examine fuzzy logic.

1. Fuzzy logic basics

2. How to use fuzzy logic in games

3. Examine a fuzzy logic example

C. Describe and examine rule-based AI.

1. Rule-based basics

2. Examine a rule-based example

D. Define Basic Probability.

1. How to use probability in games

E. Define and examine learning techniques.

F. Define and examine Bayesian techniques.

1. What are Bayesian networks

2. Examine various examples

G. Analyze neural networks.

1. Discuss neural network techniques

2. Dissect a neural network

3. Train a neural network

H. Examine and describe genetic algorithms.

1. Examine the evolutionary process

2. Examine evolving plant life

3. Describe how to use genetics in game development

IV. Natural System Inspired AI

A. Examine simulated annealing.

B. Examine neural networks.

C. Examine genetic algorithms.

V. Scripting Systems

A. Examine scripted AI and scripting engines

B. Examine scripting techniques.

C. Develop opponent attributes.

D. Analyze basic script parsing.

E. Develop opponent behaviors.

F. Create scripted events.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Feedback Systems 
   A. Identify the different types of feedback systems. 
   B. Discuss how mechanics can be used to control feedback systems. 
   C. Discuss how feedback systems can be used to control the difficulty of a game. 
   D. Review current games and identify feedback systems.
 
II. Emergent Game Play 
   A. Describe emergent game play. 
   B. Review existing games and discuss emergent game play in them. 
   C. Discuss how mechanics can be used to create and control emergent game play. 
   D. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks to emergent game play.
 
III. Game Balance 
   A. Discuss the importance of having a well-balanced game. 
   B. Identify how feedback systems can impact game balance. 
   C. Identify how emergent game play can impact game balance. 
   D. Discuss how feedback systems can be used to control the difficultly of a game.
 
IV. Rewards and Punishments 
   A. Discuss what it means to reward a player. 
   B. Identify the major types of rewards. 
   C. Discuss what it means to punish a player. 
   D. Identify the major types of punishments.
 
V. Interface Design 
   A. Review best practices for interface design. 
   B. Discuss how target platform can impact interface design.
 
VI. Games as Sports 
   A. Compare chess as a game to chess as a sport. 
   B. Discuss e-sports. 
   C. Identify the requirements of a sport. 
   D. Compare and contrast the differences between games designed solely for fun and those designed to be a sport.
 
VII. Game Creation 
   A. Create a game that is well balanced. 
   B. Identify the feedback systems in the game. 
   C. Identify possible emergent game play in the game. 
   D. Identify the major types of rewards and punishments used. 
   E. Discuss if the game would be suitable as a sport.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Networking

A. Compare and contrast different communication protocols.

B. Identify which protocols are appropriate for different game types.

C. Describe common techniques for dealing with latency.

D. Describe common techniques for dealing with malicious users.

II. Threading

A. Describe how threading works.

B. Identify the common problems present in threading.

C. Create a program to demonstrate threading techniques.

III. Shaders

A. Describe the core concept of shaders.

B. Examine basic shaders.

C. Compare and contrast full-screen shaders vs. per-object shaders.

D. Create a per-object shader.

IV. User-Generated Content (UGC)

A. Identify the benefits of UGC systems.

B. Identify the drawbacks of UGC systems.

C. Compare and contrast different methods of delivering UGC.

V. Analytics

A. Define analytics.

B. Describe how analytics can improve resource usage and user experience.

C. Compare and contrast existing analytics systems.

D. Describe how to integrate analytics into game code.

E. Demonstrate how to read and interpret data gathered from analytics.

VI. Game Creation

A. Identify the systems that can be threaded.

B. Utilize a student-created shader.

C. Design a basic UGC system.

D. Integrate analytics into the game.

E. Utilize basic artificial intelligence techniques.

VII. Procedural Generation

A. Demonstrate an understanding of procedural generation techniques.

B. Discuss the impact procedural generation has on game requirements and design.

C. Employ a procedural generation system in a game.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Introduction to QA 
   A. Explore what QA means to the game industry. 
   B. Discuss the difference between playing games and QA. 
   C. Discuss the importance of QA to the industry.

II. QA Legal Issues 
   A. Describe the meaning of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). 
   B. Discuss why NDAs are important to the industry. 
   C. Review examples of NDA violations. 
   D. Discuss quality of life issues. 
   E. Discuss general legal rights for hourly and salaried workers.

III. Types of Errors 
   A. Discuss the different types of errors in a game. 
   B. Describe the severity level of errors. 
   C. Demonstrate the ability to categorize example errors.

IV. Visual Errors and Logic Errors 
   A. Discuss in depth the types of visual errors that may occur. 
   B. Discuss in depth the types of logic errors that may occur. 
   C. Demonstrate the ability to identify visual and logic errors in a demo game.

V. Error Documentation 
   A. Recognize the importance of clearly written error reports. 
   B. Identify software that can be used to write errors. 
   C. Discuss industry best practices for writing errors. 
   D. Use current software for reporting errors.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Serious Game Industry 
   A. Describe the industry in general. 
   B. Identify the main types of serious games. 
   C. Identify the main industries interested in serious games.
 
II. Education Games 
   A. Describe education games. 
   B. Identify the unique needs of education games. 
   C. Discuss best practices for education games.
 
III. Training Simulations 
   A. Describe training simulations. 
   B. Identify the unique needs of training simulations. 
   C. Compare and contrast the difference between private sector simulation needs and government sector simulation needs. 
   D. Discuss best practices for training simulations.

IV. Health Care 
   A. Describe health care games. 
   B. Identify the different types of health care games. 
   C. Identify the unique needs of health care games. 
   D. Discuss best practices for health care games.
 
V. Comparison of Games 
   A. Compare and contrast the requirements for education, training, and health care games. 
   B. Examine games in each category.
 
VI. Prototype 
   A. Describe the requirements for an education game. 
   B. Identify the target audience. 
   C. Create a prototype education game.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Game Development Crisis

A. Examine the history of game development.

B. Study the problem of less innovation.

C. Study the problem of less value.

D. Study the problem of deteriorating work environment.

II. Agile Development

A. Describe why projects are hard.

B. Explain why Agile should be used for game development.

C. Describe what an Agile project looks like.

III. The Scrum Process

A. Examine the history of Scrum.

B. List the parts of Scrum.

C. List the Scrum roles.

D. Investigate Sprints.

1. Sprint planning

2. Track progress

3. Outline the steps of the Sprint review

E. Investigate User Stories.

1. User Stories

2. User Roles

IV. Agile Planning

A. Characterize the product backlog.

B. Estimate story size.

C. Examine release planning.

V. Agile Game Development

A. Examine video game project planning.

1. Minimum required feature sets

2. Development stages

3. Managing stages with releases

B. Examine team formation.

1. Scrum approach to teams

2. Game teams and collaboration

3. Scale and distribution of Scrums

VI. Agile Disciplines

A. Examine Agile technology.

B. Examine Agile art and audio.

C. Examine Agile design.

D. Examine Agile QA and production.

VII. Implementing Agile Development

A. Examine the myths and challenges of Scrum.

B. Study how to work with a publisher.

C. Summarize how to launch Scrum.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. Needs Analysis and Feasibility Study

A. Interview potential users.

B. Investigate game engine alternatives.

C. Write a project proposal and presentation.

II. Business Management Techniques

A. Plan the elements: tasks, resources, dependencies and milestones.

B. Assign team roles: animator, storyteller, programmer and producer.

C. Implement scheduling techniques.

D. Update the schedule and report progress.

III. Game Concept Prototype

A. Demonstrate the game engine.

B. Script the game prototype.

C. Present the game prototype.

IV. New Game Development

A. Design the game.

B. Delegate tasks to team members.

C. Design the levels.

D. Conduct progress walk-throughs.

E. Implement the game.

F. Plan for beta testers and support.

V. Job Market Preparation

A. Research local firms.

B. Prepare resume and online portfolio.

C. Write cover letters and follow-ups.

D. Employ job search techniques.

E. Practice interviewing techniques.

VI. Communications Skills

A. Practice written communications.

B. Use verbal communications.

C. Demonstrate listening skills.

D. Use visual aids.

Content Outline and Competencies:

I. The Environment
   A. Explain the limitations of mobile devices.
   B. Configure ways of dealing with varying screen sizes/resolutions.
   C. Describe the various aspects of time and how they impact the game design.
      1. Battery life.
      2. Time available for playing.
      3. Download speeds and connectivity charges.

II. Mobile Integrated Development Environment
   A. Set up a development environment.
   B. Describe the basics of Object Oriented Programming.
   C. Explain problems strings pose in mobile game development.      

III. Mobile Platform Basics
   A. Describe the major platforms available.
   B. Compare and contrast the mobile platforms.
   C. Describe the Application Programming Interfaces and libraries available.

IV. Tile-based Graphics 
   A. Select the proper tools.
   B. Discuss Intellectual Property Laws.
   C. Install a graphics editor.
   D. Create tile maps.
   E. Load tile maps into the game.

V. Optimization Techniques
   A. Practice “write first, then optimize” protocol.
   B. Demonstrate the skills to cope with strings and memory leaks.
   C. Profile the code to improve performance.
   D. Control file overhead.
   E. Explain how obfuscation can optimize code.

VI. Full Game Creation
   A. Evaluate target audience.
   B. Evaluate target hardware.
   C. Create the Game Design Document.
   D. Code and test the game.
   E. Distribute the product.

Content Outline and Competencies: