The course aims at providing a general knowledge about the methodologies and tools for the development of video games. The course reviews the basic concepts about gaming and development of video games, and covers the phases of the development of the software part of a video game. The course has a hands-on approach.
Textbooks:
- The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, Third Edition, by Jesse Schell, A K Peters/CRC Press, 2019.
- Unity in Action: Multiplatform game development in C#, Third Edition , by Joseph Hocking, 2022.
Additional teaching material: slides presented during the course and tutorials.
The course partially uses online materials and resources.
Obiettivi Formativi
KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course, the student should acquire knowledge and understanding of: the methodologies of game development.
APPLYING KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING
At the end of the course, the student should be able to develop a simple video game working in a team using the Unity framework and by applying the methodologies, techniques and tools introduced in the course.
MAKING JUDGEMENTS
At the end of the course, the student should be able to: identify the most adequate solution (tool, features, pattern, etc.) for developing a specific aspect of a game. COMMUNICATION SKILLS
At the end of the course, the student should be able to: work in a team by communicating with stakeholders and other developers; report the progresses and results of a game development project to others in a clear and competent way.
LEARNING SKILLS
At the end of the course, the student should be able to autonomously learn new methodologies and tools not illustrated in the course in order to face the specific challenges of a new video game project.
Prerequisiti
None
Metodi Didattici
Class lectures, based on slides and demos. Lab activities. Classroom presentations made by students with the support of the teacher.
Altre Informazioni
The course takes place at the Centro Didattico Morgagni (Viale Morgagni 40-44, Firenze), according to the scheduled lesson timetable (https://kairos.unifi.it/agendaweb/).
Attendance at class lectures is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. The course website is available on the University platform (https://e-l.unifi.it/).
Office Hours: make an appointment by e-mail (francesco.tiezzi@unifi.it, gabriele.costa@imtlucca.it).
Modalità di verifica apprendimento
Learning outcomes are assessed using two different tests:
1. Practical test, consisting of a group project whose topic must be agreed upon by the teacher and the students, which will be presented to the other students and orally discussed with the teacher.
2. Oral test, consisting of questions that may cover all the topics presented during the course.
The evaluation of each test is expressed with a mark out of thirty, with possible laude. A test is considered to be successfully passed if the assigned mark is at least eighteen. Provided both tests are sufficient, the final mark will be determined by the average of the two marks.
Each learning outcome is assessed in at least one of the two tests composing the exam.
The practical test aims to evaluate: the student's ability to use in practice game development techniques and tools; the capability to judge different solution for implementing a specific aspect of a game; the capability to autonomously learn new techniques and tools; the student's communication skills, in terms of teamwork skills, clarity of the presentation and ability to write a professional report. The mark of the practical test is determined by the complexity of the project, the quality of the oral presentation, the quality of the reports and the accuracy in the answers to the questions posed by the teacher during the discussion of the project.
The oral test aims to evaluate: the student's acquisition of the knowledge and understanding of the topics covered during the lessons; the capability of reasoning on specific issues related to game development; the appropriate understanding and use of specialized vocabulary. The mark of the written test is determined by the number of correct answers to the questions and the accuracy of the answers.
Programma del corso
Course programme:
- Basic concepts about game development
- Game development in Unity:
* Environment
* Player and Non-player Characterers
* Creation of the player
* Cameras
* Player actions
* Sound and visual effects
* GUI