Computer Games: Theory and Practice - Course UDIS0601
California College for the Arts - Fall 2005

Course Description
Computer games have now exceeded Hollywood movies in global sales. Computer games are now recognized as important cultural and artistic products. Cultural practitioners should be familiar with the theory and practice of computer games. This course will look at how computer games are made, why they are made, and how students form all disciplines can interpret and respond to them. Key words include: economics, violence, politics, military, simulation, and subjectivity. We will not just theorize about games. We will play them! As part of the class each student will chose a computer game and play it in depth, relate the experience to game theory and cultural theory, and report back to the class. Students will produce a final project in their medium of choice. For those who are interested, the opportunity will be available to construct basic 3D games using 3D GameStudio.

• Link to Curriculum (pdf)
• Links to External Sites
• Personal History of Video Games
• Original Class Proposal (doc)
• Star Wars rom (zip)
• Space Invaders rom (zip)
• Mid-term Project - Computer Game Presentation (doc)
• 3D GameStudio Exercise 1 (pdf)
• Bad Guy Model (mdl)
• 3D GAME STUDIO TUTORIALS

Instructor: Andy Cox
Email: acox@cca.edu
Web Site: www.TWCDC.com