Computer Games Theory and Practice 2007

- Once a game has been selected and double-clicked, Mame32 will produce two information screens and then it will run the game. Since Mame32 is emulating the original hardware, the software thinks it’s still in an arcade and is starting up for the first time in the morning. Initial diagnostic screens are run through, as well as possibly some accounting information presented to the arcade owner.

- The game should now be running its demo/attract mode. Insert a coin with the [5] key on the keyboard, the mappings for coin inserts are: player 1 [5], player 2 [6], player 3 [7], player 4 [8]. Now that a coin has been inserted, start the game with the [1] key on the keyboard. Game start mappings are player 1 [1], player 2 [2], player 3 [3], player 4 [4].

- Mame32’s default control scheme is to use the inverted T arrow keys on the keyboard for directional controls, and the left [CTRL] key as the primary action button.

- While in a game within Mame32, the internal configuration menu system can be activated by pressing the [TAB] key. This will bring up the control options. These options allow remapping Mame32 controls to whatever keys are desired. The Input (general) area controls the global settings, and the Input (this game) are the controls for the game selected. To change the mapping, select the control to change by arrowing down to it, hit the [ENTER] key and then the new desired control. Hit the [ESC] key to exit the [TAB] menu back to the game.

Download PowerPoint slide

Download essay.

http://designersnotebook.com/Columns/047_The_Role_of_Architecture/body_047_the_role_of_architecture.htm

12pm - 12:30pm Discuss ideas for "serious games".

12:30pm - 1:30pm Continue playing A Force More Powerful and blog at least one improvement you would make to the game. Include at least one screenshot, preferably an image which illustrates the part you would change. When you're done, take a break.

[For screenshot press the Print Sceen key, open Photoshop > File > New > Click OK (a new file is automatically created of the correct size) > Edit > Paste. Then resize to max 480 pixels wide unless you're going to have the image appear in a popup window on your blog. File > Save for Web, once you're done. ]

2pm - 3pm Watch X-Play one hour special on the Tokyo Games Show ,07.

I will submit mid term AT and UP grades Weds 10/24.

In addition, I will email each of you with an assessment of your performance. This will include a hypothetical letter grade based on your completion of the assignments to date. The idea is to give you an idea of where you stand at mid term. I will email these grades at the end of the week, based on work you have completed by end of day Thursday.

The assignments are included on the blog and in the curriculum. For your convenience, they are listed here with the approximate percentage contriubtion to the final grade.

- Read "Games the Extensions of Man" and blog summary and/or comments. 4%

- Read "Abstraction in the Video Game" and blog applicability to a classic game. 4%

- At least 2 blogs on game culture. Total 4%

- Blog response to Half Life 2 with screenshots. 2%

- Blog on "War and Video Games". 4%

- Blog on A Force More Powerful with screenshots. 2%

- Blog on "Cybertext". 4%

- Mid Term Presentation. 20%

Total 44% of assignments have been completed. The remaining assignments are 3D Game Studio exercises for 20%, a final project for 20%, and responses to readings and blogs about another 16%.

NOTE: if you have blogged more than the above, you will recieve extra credit. It is therefore theoretically possible to achieve greater than 100% in this class!

The mid term grades will take account of all unexcused absences and lateness as detailed in the Class Expectations and Grading.

Please do not hesitate to post a comment on this post or to email me if you have any questions.

I will not be in class. Continue with 3DGS tutorials and final projects.

Computer games have now exceeded Hollywood movies in global sales. Computer games are now recognized as important cultural and artistic products. This class will look at how computer games are made, why they are made, and how students from all disciplines can interpret and respond to them. Key words include: economics, violence, politics, military, simulation, narrative, and subjectivity. We will not just theorize about games. We will play them! Each student will choose 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 be introduced to 3D modeling, animation, and game design using 3D GameStudio. Students will produce a final project in their medium of choice.