Introduction to Game Design, CS 144

This is the official course website for Introduction to Game Design, CS 144, taught by Ira Fay at Hampshire College in Fall 2018.

Basic Info

The most important document for this class is the syllabus. It contains useful information, including the course schedule.

Class Sessions: Mondays and Wednesdays 1pm - 2:20pm, FPH 101
Professor: Ira Fay, (413) 559-6844, ASH 216, ifay@hampshire.edu, and message me on slack
Office Hours: A sign up sheet is available digitally.
Course Slack Channel: Hampshire Game Dev (sign up here, then click "Channels" on the left nav and choose #cs144)
TA Email List: cs144tas@lists.hampshire.edu
TAs: Matt Spring, Matt Regan, Courtney MacKenzie, Luke Townsend, Corrin Offenholley
TA Office Hours: Located in the Bridge, every weekday:
Mon 2:30-4:30pm with Courtney
Tue 6-8pm with Luke
Wed 4:30-6:30pm with Matt S.
Thu 3-5pm with Matt R.
Fri 2-4pm with Corrin

Projects

Project details will be posted here when they are available.

Game Guru

Dice Game Project and Shared Slide Presentation and TA Assignments for the Dice Project

Storytelling Project
Storytelling Advice
Storytelling Groups
Roleplaying 101 Game System
Sample Adventure played in class
Character ideas

Excel Silver Puzzles

Probability Silver Puzzles

Optional: Excel Gold Puzzles

Optional: Probability Puzzles

Magic Project

Pitch Project
Pitch Groups
Useful Pitch Advice
Presentation Template
Pitch Example - Ethos Games
Pitch Example - Protege Games
Judge Feedback Example Template

Useful Links

Game making supplies

Game analysis questions

Card maker resources

HTML tutorial, and specifically HTML tables and HTML forms.

PHP tutorial. Complete the chapters Syntax, Variables, echo and print Statements, and Data Types
And a particularly useful link to PHP forms.

Slides:
Programming for Game Designers
Programming for Game Designers, Part 2
Programming for Game Designers, Part 3
Programming for Game Designers, Part 4

Writing Game Rules

Teamwork Best Practices and Seven Tips for Good Teamwork

How to setup your own Hampshire website

Previous Survey Links

Final Survey
Week 9 Check In
Week 5 Check In
Welcome Survey

Bonus Info

Email Lists
First, ensure you're on the Hampshire Game Dev Slack, since we use that for a lot of information. In addition, for Game Development at Hampshire and in the Five Colleges, join the Game Development email list. You may also want to join the Game Jobs email list. In fact, you might just want to browse all the lists at Hampshire and find lists that appeal to you.

Game Gatherings
The TAs host a game night every Friday night in the library by the board game collection. Learn new games and sign up to play. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed! This can also satisfy CEL1 if needed.

Game Library
We are fortunate that the Hampshire library has an ever-growing collection of board games and digital games. Students, staff, and faculty members have access to this great resource. Please make use of it, and feel free to give feedback to Ira on your experience.

GlowLime Games
GlowLime Games is a student group focused on facilitating game development among students in the Five College area. They are an amazing resource, and anyone interested in game development should check them out. You can pitch your own ideas and/or contribute to other games.

Pioneer Valley Game Developers (PVGD)
The Pioneer Valley Game Developers (PVGD) meetup group is another great resource and community for game developers in the area.

The Quarters
The Quarters is an incredible arcade + restaurant. They have my full support, and their food is excellent and reasonably priced. If anyone beats my high score on Arkanoid, please let me know.

Word Snack and Project IONA
These are two digital games made by Hampshire students, staff, faculty, and Five College members. Each game was made in a semester as part of the Interdisciplinary Game Studio course. Try them out!

Game Stores
For some projects or just general fun, it may be useful for you to be aware of nearby boardgame stores.