CS121 : Introduction to Game Design

Fall 2024
Instructor: Jordan Tynes

jtynes@wellesley.edu

Welcome to CS 121!

Each type of engagement is described directly below. Details about each day will be updated frequently.

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    Lectures:
    Unless otherwise announced, this portion of the course will take place in person at our assignment classroom. Please show up a few minutes prior to the start of class (see note about grading/evaluation) and be ready to engage in lecture materials and/or accompanying discussion. Readings may be assigned in preparation for or in conjunction with these lectures.
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    Technical Demonstrations:

    You will learn to use various aspects of the Unity Game Engine throughout the term. Technical instruction will be provided during class and, unless otherwise noted, this portion of the course will be recorded and shared for your reference. Attendance is still required so you may fully leverage lab resources.

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    Optional Activities:

    I plan to organize several activities throughout the semester that will be optional, but strongly encouraged. These could include game nights, Twitch streams, events, etc. These will be announced both in-class and via email. Stay tuned!

    Twitch Streams:

    Wednesdays @ 8pm!

Schedule:

Subject to Changes!

Week 1:

Mon. Sept. 2
No Class
Thur. Sept. 5
Welcome to CS121 and Game Design
Assigned Reading:

Chapters 3


Week 2:

Mon. Sept. 9
Intro to Unity
Tech Link:

Intro to Unity

Thur. Sept. 12
The Magic Circle
Assigned Reading:

Chapters 9


Week 3:

Mon. Sept. 16
Cameras & Colliders
Tech Link:

Platformer Demo

Thur. Sept. 19
Emergence
Assigned Reading:

Chapters 12


Week 4:

Mon. Sept. 23
Audio, UI, & Effects
Tech Link:

Cat Blaster Demo

Thur. Sept. 26
Demos & Intro Unit 2
Assigned Reading:

Chapter 13


Week 5:

Mon. Sept. 30
Set Up Two Minute Game
Tech Link:

Setting Up Unit 2 and Custom Actions

Thur. Oct. 3
Types of Play
Assigned Reading:

Chapter 23


Week 6:

Mon. Oct. 7
Intro to Scripting
Tech Link:

Intro to Scripting

Thur. Oct. 10
Applied Scripting
Tech Link:

Scripting Timer


Week 7:

Mon. Oct. 14
No Class

Week 8:

Mon. Oct. 21
Custom UI, Restart Button, Goals, and Key Press
Tech Link:

Changing Goals, Custom UI, Restart Level, Key Press, Particle Systems

Thur. Oct. 24
WebGL Build & Lab
Tech Link:

WebGL Build


Week 9:

Mon. Oct. 28
Games as Cultural Rhetoric & Two Minute Game Demos
Assigned Reading:

Chapter 25 & 26

Thur. Oct. 31
No Class
Assigned Viewing:

Are Games Art?


Week 10:

Mon. Nov. 4
Narrative and Ideation
Assigned Reading:

Chapter 30

Thur. Nov. 7
Scripting Movement pt 2
Tech Link:

Movement Pt 2 and Animated Sprites

Assigned Reading:

Chapter 15


Week 11:

Mon. Nov. 11
Animated Sprites
Tech Link:

Movement Audio and Dialog Setup

Thur. Nov. 14
Dialog System
Tech Link:

Dialog Pt 2


Week 12:

Mon. Nov. 18
Load Level
Tech Link:

Load Scene

Thur. Nov. 21
Project Check-in
Assigned Reading:

Wide Walls


Week 13:

Mon. Nov. 25
Games as Art
Assigned Reading:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 28
No Class

Week 14:

Mon. Dec. 2
Lab Day
Thur. Dec. 5
Prototype and Feedback
Tech Link:

TBA


Week 15:

Mon. Dec. 9
Final Lab Day
Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Dec. 12
Playable Media Open House!