Download Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development

 The Academy of Interactive Entertainment 2013 Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development -­‐ Game Programming (10343NAT) Subject Listing – Online Campus Copyright © AIE 2012
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Contents
Game Programming with C++ ..............................................................2 Game Code Design and Structures ......................................................2 Game Maths and Open GL – Stream Subject ......................................2 Fast and Beautiful – Stream Subject ....................................................2 Complex Game Systems – Stream Subject..........................................2 Game Engine Components – Stream Subject ......................................3 Game Programming with HTML5 – Stream Subject.............................3 Game Artificial Intelligence with Python – Stream Subject ...................3 Game Physics Application – Stream Subject........................................3 Game Development Teams ..................................................................4 Mini Production .....................................................................................4 Prototyping............................................................................................4 Major Production...................................................................................4 Copyright © AIE 2012
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Game Programming with C++
This subject is programming 101 where you start as a beginner programmer to being a confident, intermediate level C++ game programmer. The focus is on learning the language structure and usage step by step, using compiling and debugging tools, implementing cross platform code and structuring an Object Oriented project to complete development of simple games. This subject utilises a C++ cross platform game framework to give you the best opportunity to explore each new concept and see a visual difference from changes you make in code. You will complete this subject having developed your own version of an elementary retro style game. Game Code Design and Structures
This subject develops your skills in designing, planning, implementing and testing complex coding structures within a game development project using intermediate C++ skills. Learn various ways of storing and accessing mass amounts of data and assets efficiently, while maintaining code and data stability and integrity using structures such as linked lists, hash tables and databases. Understand several widely used class design patterns industry utilise to hide or make accessible selected portions of code. Become confident with large scale application design principles for team coding, readability and reusability. You will complete this subject having developed your own RPG style game with a database back end. Game Maths and Open GL – Stream Subject
This subject introduces OpenGL as a graphics application programming interface to display textures or game objects and then uses it to visually guide you through learning the fundamentals of mathematics used in games development. Using C++ see the effects of rotational and positional transformations, collisions, basic physics and interpolation in real-­‐
time so you can explore the results of changing values in your code as you develop it into a more complex and re-­‐
usable library. You will complete this subject having developed a simple game that utilises the maths library you have created in OpenGL. Fast and Beautiful – Stream Subject
This subject takes you one a learning journey of making great looking graphics simulations using advanced shaders in OpenGL with C++. Discover the formulas that can display amazing looking effects. Learn how to create physics and graphical simulations that don’t affect the frame rate of your game. Understand how to design and write optimised code for particles and fluids. You will complete this subject having created a series of fast and beautiful graphics demonstrations. Complex Game Systems – Stream Subject
In this subject you will learn algorithms used to build up complex game systems that can be reused in several games. An Artificial Intelligence (AI) component focuses on advanced systems built from utilising several AI techniques and a networking component focuses on algorithms to handle data transfer, prediction, packet loss, lag etc. Copyright © AIE 2012
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Upon completion of this subject you will be able to build libraries to be plugged into an existing project. You will have created 2 systems as proof of concepts and then implement them into an existing demonstration application -­‐ an advanced AI system and a networking system using C++ and middleware such as Raknet. Game Engine Components – Stream Subject
This subject is your introduction to the most important aspect of any game, the game engine. Within the Unity 3D game engine you will explore the different components that create a game engine including physics, integrate middleware, playback real-­‐time sounds, networking and creating a cross platform installer. Upon completion of this subject you will have the understanding to develop and release a 3D game. Game Programming with HTML5 – Stream Subject
Who has time to install games? This subject will teach you how to develop games to work natively in any web browser. This subject will help you unleash the full potential of web based games by making use of dynamic data structures, 3rd party libraries, social media integration, design and implement GUI. Upon completion of this subject you will be able to debug, code algorithms to search and manipulate dynamic data structure sand deploy games to web browsers using the Unity 3D game engine. Game Artificial Intelligence with Python – Stream
Subject
Forget Pinocchio, in this subject you will develop your own Artificial Intelligence (AI). Develop your skills to design multiple AI states for a non-­‐playable character (NPC). Your AI program will go head-­‐to-­‐
head against your fellow classmates as you create NPC’s that can out smart competitors. Upon completion of this subject you will be able to provide NPC’s with personality and make them a challenge for even the most seasoned gamer. Game Physics Application – Stream Subject
This subject will build your understanding of how to integrate physics into your game using the most powerful 3rd party software available. You will create a physics based playground to integrate ragdoll, spring, cloth and collision physics into your game. Gain a greater understanding how to implement physics to create fun gameplay mechanics. Upon completion of this subject you will understand and have a practical knowledge of how physics can be used to enhance your games.
Core subjects
Core subjects are subjects are designed to bring programmers, designers and artists together into a single working team.
The core subjects begin with a focus on team building and then guide you through the development of a team,
prototyping a game and ending in a major game production.
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Game Development Teams
Working with artists, programmers and designers as a team you will learn how game development teams work. The
subject will begin team building and early project development. The goal is to get organised in to a production team and
think about the scope and challenge of making computer games together.
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This subject is designed to give you a strong understanding of how to organise and plan a production for a team
of developers.
The first focus will be in getting organised and working in teams. You'll get a clear understanding of how the
different disciplines of game artist, game designer and game programmer work and how they work together.
You'll learn what tools they use, what they each produce and what they contribute to the team.
The second focus will be on creating game ideas that are practical, achievable and worthy of further
development. You learn about filtering, refining, recording and pitching ideas.
Upon completion of this subject you'll have a strong understanding of how teams produce games and what they
can achieve. You'll also have a collection of strong clear game ideas that have been planned and are ready to
be developed.
Mini Production
Working with artists, programmers and designers this will be your first taste of a project run under proper production
conditions. You will be writing design documentation, setting schedules, testing products, filing bug reports and
contributing to design discussions. If you have ever wondered what it is like to work in the games industry, you begin to
find out during this project.
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This subject is designed to get teams of programmers, artists and designers working together on projects.
You’ll get a clear understanding of how a team produces a computer game.
You’ll have a firsthand understanding of the challenges and difficulties involved in game production.
You’ll gain a firsthand realistic understanding of how the scope of a game project can be balanced with the time
and resources available to produce it.
You’ll make computer games.
Prototyping
Working with artists, programmers and designers you will be tasked with the construction of a prototype to prove a game
play idea, business model and production plan.
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This subject is focused on choosing an idea worthy of development
You be introduced to business models and financing opportunities
You’ll present your prototype and ideas to professional game developers seeking advice and feedback
You’ll conceive, develop and test a plan for the major game production
Major Production
This is the capstone subject in the Advanced Diploma of Professional Game Development. You’ll produce a game that
has been researched and prototyped in the previous core subjects.
You’ll work with artists, designers and programmers to produce a full game as a team, pulling in knowledge gained from
all your stream subjects.
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