AP 4370.501
Computer Game Development

An introduction to computer game development using the Java programming language. Topics will include sprite animation, game architecture, and Web-based deployment. Students will be required to design, develop, and deploy computer games independently and as members of a team.

Java 1.4 Game Programming plus material provided by instructor.

"How to Do Stuff Cheap", John Hattan, The Code Zone

• Demonstrate the ability to make a change to the source code of one of the example games, recompile, and run the modified program from the operating system command line.

• Deploy one of the example games to your student web page as an applet.
• Deploy one of the example games to your student web page as a Java Web Start application.

• Design and develop a simple game using the sprite animation library provided by the instructor.
• The design, code, graphics, and audio files must be created by the individual student.
• Deploy both as an applet and as a Web Start application from your student web page.
• Demonstrate game and show samples of your source code to class and discuss design choices.

The first two individual assignments should be confidence builders. Students are advised that they should keep the games simple and do the minimum required to demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts such as sprite animation. For the first assignment, I will provide students with a framework which they will modify to create their first game.

• Design and develop a simple game using the Java game engine of your choice.
  Any use of third-party Java libraries must not violate copyright law.
• The design and code must be created by the individual student.
  Any use of third-party graphics and audio files must not violate copyright law.
• Deploy both as an applet and as a Web Start application from your student web page.
• Demonstrate the ability to save and load persistent data between game sessions.
• Demonstrate game and show samples of your source code to class and discuss design choices.

• Divide into teams of three or four.
• Organize, design, and develop as desired.
• The design, code, graphics, and audio files must be created by the team.
• Demonstrate game in class and discuss effectiveness of organization, design, and development decisions in post mortem.

I am available immediately after class for student consultation. Frequently I will be available in my office at other times as well. Please do not hesitate to contact me for an appointment or simply drop by.

David Wallace Croft earned his B.Sc. from the United States Air Force Academy in 1990 and his M.Sc. from the California Institute of Technology in 1995. In 1996 he joined an online multiplayer Java game Internet start up and has been programming in Java exclusively ever since. He formerly served as the President of the Silicon Valley Java Users Group and is the Founder of the Game Developers Java Users Group. He is currently writing a book on Java game programming.