http://mitpress.mit.edu/catalog/item/default.asp?ttype=2&tid=11844&mode=toc
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
David Cox's gmail address for class items
Students,
Please use the below address to send me Game 100 related items:
dcoxexploringgameworlds@gmail.com
Thanks
DC
In Class exercises for today
Pick up where we left off last week where students take an image from fine art, film or photography history and use it as the basis for an idea for a videogame.
In class exercise 2:
Think of an idea for a game that permits the player to construct something you have not seen in commercial games (no cities, buildings or vehicles). Assume that you will constrain the players abilities via an economy but allow him to earn new tools and features for his construction over time.
Design a set of elementary parts from which the item may be constructed and specify a price for each part.
Include a number of upgrades - more expensive parts that replace cheaper versions.
OUTCOME
Write a short paper (2 paragraphs) explaining the domain in which the player will be creating and supply your list of parts, given them in the order in which the player will earn the ability to buy them (cheapest to most expensive).
Also indicate in a general way how the player can use the item he constructs to earn money.
In class exercise 2:
Think of an idea for a game that permits the player to construct something you have not seen in commercial games (no cities, buildings or vehicles). Assume that you will constrain the players abilities via an economy but allow him to earn new tools and features for his construction over time.
Design a set of elementary parts from which the item may be constructed and specify a price for each part.
Include a number of upgrades - more expensive parts that replace cheaper versions.
OUTCOME
Write a short paper (2 paragraphs) explaining the domain in which the player will be creating and supply your list of parts, given them in the order in which the player will earn the ability to buy them (cheapest to most expensive).
Also indicate in a general way how the player can use the item he constructs to earn money.
Friday, October 9, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Interview with Shigero Miramoto
Click here to view a October 2002 Interview with Shigeru Miyamoto, game footage includes Zelda: The Wind Walker, Metroid Prime and Animal Crossing.
Questions asked about if his family and children influences his design, about how now he oversees games and if that takes away from the more hands on role he had previously. Then moving onto the new Metroid (Prime) game and if it would be more open like previous Metroid games, then if Japanese players would respect the first person view, and his role in it. He is then asked about how the idea for Animal Crossing (NGC) came across. Then moving onto Zelda (The Wind Walker), and if it is the first chronologically, then if so how come he has a sister and she disappears in "later" games. He then gets asked about how come there seems to be a lot of emphasis on co-operative play in his games.
Wiki entry on Miramoto
Friday, September 4, 2009
Cartoon Network Game Creator Exercise
Answer the following questions on a separate text file:
A) What options are available to you as a 'game designer'?
B) How are these options provided?
C) What types of elements are provided for you to use to 'build' the game?
D) What limits are set on the level of the game play able to be customized
E) What does the process of using these game creators teach about the notion of the 'difficulty and achievement' balance? Explain using an example from your research.
When you are done, trade places with another student and have them answer the following questions.
1) Is the game level fun to play? (be honest!)
2) If so, why? If not, why not?
3) What could be done to improve the level?
Email the answers to the above three questions to the student who created the game.
A) What options are available to you as a 'game designer'?
B) How are these options provided?
C) What types of elements are provided for you to use to 'build' the game?
D) What limits are set on the level of the game play able to be customized
E) What does the process of using these game creators teach about the notion of the 'difficulty and achievement' balance? Explain using an example from your research.
When you are done, trade places with another student and have them answer the following questions.
1) Is the game level fun to play? (be honest!)
2) If so, why? If not, why not?
3) What could be done to improve the level?
Email the answers to the above three questions to the student who created the game.
"Us versus It" board game kit
This board game designing activity is one of a number of workshops undertaken at the games developers conference to help build the craft of gameplay and game design.
This link has all the components you need to build the game - the pieces and board need to be transferred to cardboard (i.e. printed then glued, or printed on sticker paper then stuck onto card).
This will be an in-class activity during September for Game 100
Friday, August 28, 2009
Trigger Happy by Stephen Poole
Much of the book is online at Google Books. But buy a copy, its an excellent read.
game appraisal template
Click here to obtain the game appraisal template. Use it to evaluate the games played in class.
Download the form from the site to your machine and save it to the desktop before filling out (one form per game).
Download the form from the site to your machine and save it to the desktop before filling out (one form per game).
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Game Industry Map
An online interactive map showing where key game developers are located globally (use it to look at the Bay Area)
Gamasutra
The Gamasutra Website.
The very valuable online resource used by industry professionals and educators alike.
Check it regularly for news, articles and editorial ideas and opinion on everything to do with the videogame industry.
Breaking Into the Business
This link is an industry career breakdown of different types of jobs. It is hosted by the IGDA - the International Game Developers Association, a membership based advocacy group.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Online Videogames history survey
Visit the dot eaters sites, as well as other sites through searching, and answer the questions on this online survey.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
About me, David Cox, your instructor
My name is David Cox and I'll be your instructor for Exploring Game Worlds this Fall 2010 semester at CCSF Mission Campus.
My background is in both motion picture production and videogame production. I live in the Mission area of San Francisco. I make films, write and teach at both CCSF and DeVry University Online.
My background is British/Australian, and I have been a long term visitor to the Bay Area since the early 1990s, when I first met San Francisco film makers at a film festival in Europe.
My own work can be viewed here: http://www.davidcoxfilms.blogspot.com
Welcome to the Course
This blog is designed to provide students with information, links, websites and other resources pertinent to GAME 100 - Exploring Game Worlds.
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