Course Overview

The seminar consists of a major project that will be completed and presented in the UB Student Center Theater at the end of the year. The course focuses on simulating a team-based production environment where students work from conception to pitch, concept document, prototype, and multi-level demo. During the first semester, students will complete the concept document and prototype in preparation for building the demo in the spring.

Class discussions and activities will concentrate on practical, career matters such as interview skills for game industry jobs, talks from visiting professionals and strategies for putting together an effective pitch.

Objectives

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Incorporate prior studies in coding, web design, 2D and 3D art, audio, storyboard creation and game concept document writing into one major project
• Complete this project as a member of a team, effectively communicating ideas to clients and team members
• Extend last semester’s prototype into a professional multi-level playable game ready for inclusion in a portfolio
• Demonstrate jobmarket skills necessary for success in resume-building, portfolio creation and interviewing

Methods

The primary objectives of this course will be met through direct, hands-on experience. Students will work in groups and will be challenged to actively participate in class critiques and discussions. Lecture materials and readings will cover example strategies and techniques for working in a professional environment.

Grading

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend every class. Excessive absences will affect your grade. If you have an excused absence, please contact me and your teammates and make arrangements to complete all missed work.

Classroom Technology Policy

This class meets in a computer lab, but this is not an invitation to use the computers in ways that detract from your learning or the learning of others. Headphones will not be tolerated in class. Personal electronics, such as cell phones and iPods, must be turned off during class time. If you have an exceptional reason for needing a cell phone, such as the impending arrival of an offspring, let me know before class begins.

Late Policy

Assignments are expected by the beginning of the class they are due. For projects involving digital work, remember to save often and use a reliable back-up system. A cloud storage solution like DropBox is a great option to protect your files. Work will not be accepted late due to computer crashes. Assignments submitted late will be lowered one letter grade for each week.

Incomplete Grades

It is your responsibility to apply for administrative withdrawal or incomplete. If you stop showing up for class you will be graded accordingly: it is your responsibility to keep me informed in the event of an emergency so we can work out accommodations.

Academic Integrity

By enrolling in this course, each student assumes the responsibilities of an active participant in UB’s scholarly community in which everyone’s academic work and behavior are held to the highest standards of honesty. Cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, and helping others to commit these acts are all forms of academic dishonesty, and they are wrong. Academic misconduct could result in disciplinary action that may include, but is not limited to, suspension or dismissal.

Given the professional projects students undertake in this class, stealing ideas not only discredits the work of the team but also invalidates it as a portfolio piece.