CS221 : Digital Worlds for Gaming

Fall 2024
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.

    Weekly TWITCH STREAM BY JORDAN Wednesdays @ 8PM!

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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. 2
No Class
Happy Labor Day!
Thur. Sept. 5
Welcome to CS221!
Assigned Reading:
Murray pgs. 141 - 152

Week 2:

Mon. Sept. 9
Intro to Unity 3D
Tech Link:

Intro to Unity 3D

Assigned Reading:

Totten pgs. 145-168

Thur. Sept. 12
Meaningful Places for Playing
Critical Reflection Due Before Class on 9/16:

Link


Week 3:

Mon. Sept. 16
Probuilder and Terrain
Tech Link:

Bowling Demo: Probuilder, Terrain, Materials

Assigned Reading

Totten pgs. 213-245

Thur. Sept. 19
Intro to Rulescapes
Critical Reflection Due Before Class on 9/23:

Link


Week 4:

Mon. Sept. 23
Interactivity and Animation
Tech Link:

Animation & Intro to Scripting

Assigned Reading:

Totten pgs. 299-322

Thur. Sept. 26
The Invitation of Interactivity
Critical Reflection Due Before Class on 9/30:

Link


Week 5:

Mon. Sept. 30
Audio, Materials, Effects, & Lighting
Tech Link:

Key Bindings, Events, and Audio

Thur. Oct. 3
Button Binding, Menu & UI
Tech Link:

Materials, Trees, Details, Particle Systems


Week 6:

Mon. Oct. 7
Open Lab and Tech Demos
Tech Link:

Intro to UI, Restart Level, Custom Functions

Thur. Oct. 10
Project 1 Demos
Assigned Reading:

Wide Walls by Mevorah

Fletcher

Week 7:

Mon. Oct. 14
No Class
Critical Reflection due before class on Oct. 21:

Link

Thur. Oct. 17
Project Intro and 3rd Person Intro
Tech Link:

3rd Person Assets

Assigned Reading:

Murray pg. 152-160


Week 8:

Mon. Oct. 21
Final Project Ideation
Begin working on Final Assignment "Pitch"
Thur. Oct. 24
Third Person Mechanics
Tech Link:

Cinemachine, Player Characters, Instantiate


Week 9:

Mon. Oct. 28
Animated Characters
Tech Link:

Animated Characters

Thur. Oct. 31
No Class:

Use Class Time for Greyboxing

Assigned Viewing:

TBA


Week 10:

Mon. Nov. 4
Nuanced Interactivity
Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 7
Health System & UI
Assigned Reading:

Totten pgs. 387-411

Tech Link:
TBA

Week 11:

Mon. Nov. 11
Environmental Storytelling
Critical Reflection:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 14
Cut Scenes
Tech Link:

TBA


Week 12:

Mon. Nov. 18
Cut Scenes pt. 2
Tech Link:

TBA

Assigned Reading:

Interesting Article on Game Resources

Thur. Nov. 21
Project Check-in
Tech Link:

TBA

Critical Reflection:

TBA


Week 13:

Mon. Nov. 25
Misc Tech Demo & Lab
Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Nov. 28
No Class

Week 14:

Mon. Dec. 2
Misc Tech Demo & Lab
Tech Link:

TBA

Thur. Dec. 5
Prototype Demos & Feedback

Week 15:

Mon. Dec. 9
Final Lab Day
Thur. Dec. 12
2 to 4pm, Playable Media Open House!