CS221 : Digital Worlds for Gaming

Fall 2023
Instructor: Jordan Tynes

jtynes@wellesley.edu

Welcome to CS 221

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

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    In-Person Meetings:
    Unless otherwise annouced in-class or via email, all in-person meetings will take place in the Media Arts Lab (MAL), JAC 247. Please note the attendance policy described in the Interpersonal section of the course website.
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    Unity Projects:
    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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    Critical Analysis:

    Each project will require you to submit a reflection statement in response to a few prompts shared via Google form.

    These forms will be provided in each assignment document. It is recommended that you review these prompts in advance of the final due date for each assignment.

Schedule:

Subject to Changes!

Week 1:

Mon. Sept. 1
No Class
Happy Labor Day!
Thur. Sept. 7
Welcome to CS221!
Assigned Reading:
Murray pgs. 141 - 152

Week 2:

Mon. Sept. 11
Open Class
Thur. Sept. 14
Intro to Unity 3D
Tech Link:
Intro To Unity 3D

Week 3:

Mon. Sept. 18
Probuilder and Terrain
Tech Link:

Physics, Materials, Probuilder, Terrain

Thur. Sept. 21
Meaningful Places for Playing
Assigned Reading:

Totten pgs. 145-168


Week 4:

Mon. Sept. 25
Interactivity and Animation
Tech Link:

Platform Trigger Interactivity

Assigned Reading:

Totten pgs. 238-245


Week 5:

Tue. Oct. 2
Button Binding, Menu & UI
Tech Link:

Flashlight Demo

Thur. Oct. 5
Audio, Materials, Effects, & Lighting
Tech Link:

Menu, Button, Materials, Trees, and Details

Assigned Reading

Wide Walls by Mevorah


Week 6:

Mon. Oct. 9
No Class
Fall Break!
Thur. Oct. 12
Open Lab and Project Check-in
Tech Link:

Particles, Lighting, Audio, and Builds


Week 7:


Week 8:

Mon. Oct. 23
Final Project Ideation
Thur. Oct. 26
Interactivity Part 2 w/ Audio
Tech Link:

Animation Events and Grumbler Demo


Week 9:

Mon. Oct. 30
Animated Characters
Tech Link:

Animated Player Character

Thur. Nov. 2
Health System and UI
Tech Link:

Health System


Week 10:

Mon. Nov. 6
Health System pt. 2 and Post Processing
Assigned Reading:
Fletcher
Tech Link:
Health System Pt. 2 and Post Effects

Week 11:

Mon. Nov. 13
Cutscenes
Tech Link:

Cutscenes

Thur. Nov. 16
Cut Scenes Pt. 2
Tech Link:

Cutscenes part 2


Week 12:

Mon. Nov. 20
No Lecture

Open Lab

Assigned Reading:

Interesting Article on Game Resources

Tech Link:

Quick Load Level

Thur. Nov. 23
No Class
Thanksgiving Break

Week 13:

Mon. Nov. 27
Lab Day and Prototype Prep
Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 30
Prototype Presentation and Feedback

Week 14:

Mon. Dec. 4
Misc Tech Demo
Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Dec. 7
Lab Day

Week 15:

Mon. Dec. 11
Final Demos & Feedback
Thur. Dec. 7
2 to 4pm, Playable Media Open House!