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LP20319: Games programming

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2012/3
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Computer Science (administered by the Learning Partnerships Office)
Further information on credits Credits: 5
Further information on unit levels Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 2 at City of Bath College
Semester 2 at Weston College
Semester 2 at Wiltshire College
Further information on unit assessment Assessment: CW 75%, EX 25%
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites: Before taking this unit you must take AS10100
Further information on descriptions Description: Aims:
The aim of the module will be to develop transferable skills in:
* games design
* simulation techniques
* graphic design
* sound generation
* appropriate controls and interface,
* animation, algorithms
* application of artificial intelligence
* game testing
These transferable skills, developed within a games programming application, are applicable to a range of business, scientific and medical applications.

Learning Outcomes:
On completion of the unit the student should be able to:
* Assess the purposes and limitations of simulations in games;
* Design and develop a game prototype (building on the structured programming techniques learnt in Introduction to Programming) using a suitable games programming language;
* Integrate multimedia components (sound, music, animation) into the development;
* Devise suitable test data and test plan. Conduct end user trials;
* Demonstrate prototype.

Skills:
Practical skills - program design skills, coding skills - taught and assessed.
Personal skills - time management, personal organisation, problem solving - facilitated and assessed.
Communication skills - demonstrations, working in a team - facilitated and assessed.

Content:
In this context, games programming includes business modelling and simulation. The distinction between games, simulation and training software has become blurred with the application of games technology. The nature of the content will vary depending on the choice of game, but will be likely to include.
Introduction to simulation and game theory: Use of modelling techniques to include real life scenarios/role playing, mathematical techniques, game theory
Design decisions: principal elements of a model, nature of the system being simulated, representation of the system and level and accuracy.
Practical decisions: time handling, stochastic or deterministic durations, discrete or continuous change.
Game design: suited to purpose,
Graphic design: uncluttered, logically laid out, graphics to suitable level
Sound generation: appropriate sounds in response to game events
Controls and interface: Interface design assists game play
Image handling: Deal with suitable images
Animation: changing graphical game objects
Algorithms: Appropriate to solve computational problems set by game
Artificial Intelligence: Awareness of suitable algorithms/ heuristics to allow the computer to compete with human player.
Games Development: Use a suitable games programming language e.g. Dark Basic. Introduction to games development engines.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

LP20319 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes administered by the Learning Partnerships Office
  • USCM-DPF21 : FdSc Computing (Part-time at City of Bath College) - Year 3
  • USCM-LPF21 : FdSc Computing (Part-time at Weston College) - Year 3
  • USCM-WPF21 : FdSc Computing (Part-time at Wiltshire College) - Year 3

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2012/13 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2013/14 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2012/13.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, in accordance with normal University procedures.
* Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.