Advanced Computer Graphics Final Project

rev2009a

Overview

ALL PROJECTS MUST BE IN 3D GameStudio
(unless otherwise pre-approved BEFORE proposal )
and
must use WED and MED,
unless otherwise approved by instructor. If you need to use other model editors in your project, you will have to first show that they can be imported into MED.

The objective of the project is to design a complete video game, including at least 1 level, at least 2 models, a player, an opponent or collaborator, animation, and some type of strategy or artificial intelligence subsystem for the opponent, or competition, or etc.

Example project ideas:

  • Race track
  • Hide and seek
  • Flight simulator
  • Space shuttle
  • Multiplayer
    •

    As an alternative, students interested in some special project can propose any reasonable project. See the instructor at once, if this is the case. In general, only exceptional proposals outside the realm of normal video game designs will be considered.

    Finally, all groups MUST commit to demonstrating their games on or before the due date. All students in any group must be present for the final demonstration.

    Disruptive or inappropriate projects will be terminated, and may result in reassignment, grade reduction, or failure, entirely at the instructor's discretion.

    Each student or group will have the primary task of completing a particular video game design. However, all groups are encouraged to collaborate together (without copying!) to ensure successful projects.

    You must select different projects. At the instructor's discretion, the best proposal for a particular type of project may be accepted. In this case, other similar proposals will be rejected, and new propoals will have to be resubmitted.

    Group Formation

    There will not be any groups, unless the project is of a magnitude that requires more than one student. Otherwise, each student is responsible for their own independent project.  Internet-based multiplayer games may require 2 people.

    If a final project is of sufficient complexity, the project proposal must show that the project complexity merits a group effort. Let me know as soon as possible during the semester if you think that you want to tackle a large project that requires a group. The intent of this restriction is to fairly balance the effort of all students.

    Problem Resolution

    Guidelines (If members of a group are not contributing)

    Grading and Schedule

    The grade for the final project will be allocated to each task as indicated below.

  • Proposal: 10% of Final Project Grade

    • Due Oct 28.

    Each student or group must submit a set of specifications along with a project proposal (see format in Chapter 1 of book).

    The proposal is your statement of work, against which your final project will be graded.

    You must submit a hardcopy of the proposal and email the proposal as an MSword document to the instructor.

    Each game proposed must have as a minimum:
    1. at least 1 level (2 would be better)
    2. at least 2 different models (i.e., opponent and player)
    3. an animated player
    4. an animated opponent or collaborator
    5.  some type of strategy or artificial intelligence subsystem/scripts for the opponent or competition
    6. A sky somewhere
    7. an interior light somewhere
    8. a ramp, staircase, or elevator to some elevated area
    9. A working door
    10. Sound area (rain, lightning, birds, etc)

    If it does not make sense to include one of the above in your particular project, ask the instructor.

    Nice other things to have
    1. multiple levels
    2. nice lighting
    3. detailed interiors (chairs, tables, etc)
    4. detailed outdoors (trees, shrubs, rocks, water)
    5. terrain
    6. multiplayer
    7. bones animation
    8. HUD (lifebars, etc.)
    9. shift between levels, transporters
    10. Options menu screens, interface
    In addition ot the basic reqirementa above, graduate level credit projects must include at least two of the following advanced features.

            Extra Requirements for Graduate Level

    1. multiple (3 or more) levels with level shifting
    2. two terrain maps
    3. 3D flight
    4. bones animation
    5. networked multi-player game
    6. other advanced features approved by the instructor

    Format of proposal

    (9 page max, 12 point typewritten, including title page)

    See the book Chapter 1 for details!
    Your proposal must include:
    (Label your sections exactly as below)

    1. Cover page
      Title of project and group members.
    2. Executive summary(1/2 page max)
      Briefly describe the game in two paragraphs.
    3. Game Description (7 page max)
      Describe the game in greater detail. Include the following 8 subsections(Label your sections exactly as below):
    4. Overview: (1/2 page max)
      Describe big picture of the game, main quest, main players, etc..
    5. The Quest:(1/2 page max)
      Describe the quest in further detail, obstacles, rewards, and the final objective. Is the game broken into levels or intermediate stages of gameplay?
    6. Main Character: (1/2 page max)
      Describe main character, powers, change with gameplay, first-person,third-person?
    7. Sketch of Main Character: (1 page max)
      A sketch of the Main Character.
    8. Opponents: (1/2 page max)
      Describe main opponents, intelligence, attack, hide, or evade?
    9. Sketch of Opponents: (1 page max)
      A sketch of the primary Opponents.
    10. World Description: (1/2 page max)
      virtual world in which the game is played, outer space, urban, futuristic, etc.
    11. Sketch of World: (1 page max)
      A sketch of the level in which the game is played.
    12. Menus: (1/2 page max)
      initial menu screen and any options include a sketch.
    13. Controls: (1/2 page max)
      Describe interface (up, down, run, shoot, fast, slow).
    14. Sounds: (1/2 page max)
      Describe background sound, footsteps, Vehicle, Door, etc.
    15. Summary(1/2 page max)
      Briefly summarize your game! This is the final sales pitch.
    16. You must submit a hardcopy of the proposal and email the proposal as a PDF document to the instructor.

  • Design review : 20% of Final Project Grade


    • Due Nov 18.

    You must submit a set of printouts of models and levels, sufficient to show that the design is functional.

    The design review must include your original proposal in an appendix. You must submit a hardcopy of the design review and email the design review as an MSword document to the instructor.

    Format of Design Review Report

    (9 page max, 12 point typewritten body of report, including title page)

    Your design review must include:
    (Label your sections exactly as below)

    1. Cover page
      Title of project and group members.
    2. Overview (1 page max)
      as in proposal, but updated for any changes
    3. Summary of any changes (1 page max) : You must include all of the following headings, even if there are no changes.
      If there are no changes, just state so after each heading.
    4. The Quest:
    5. Main Character:
    6. Opponents:
    7. World Description:
    8. Menus:
    9. Controls:
    10. Sounds:
    11. Printouts:
    12. Printout of Main World Level in WED: (1 page max)
    13. Printout of Main World Level in a running game: (1 page max)
    14. Printout of Main Character in MED: (1 page max)
    15. Printout of Main Character in a running game: (1 page max)
    16. Printout of Main Opponent in MED: (1 page max)
    17. Printout of Main Opponent in a running game: (1 page max)
    18. Appendix: original proposal
      You must include your original proposal
    19. Demonstration
      You must demonstrate your game, levels, and models when the report is submitted, and get the instructor's signature on your report cover page to verify the demo.
    20. You must submit a hardcopy of the report and email a copy as a PDF document to the instructor.

  • Final demonstration 20% of Final Project Grade

    • Due on last class meeting of semester. (Dec 9)

    You must demonstrate your final game design.

  • You must demonstrate to the instructor:
  • The game running
  • Levels/World in WED
  • Models in MED

  • Game File Submission
    At the time of demonstration, you must submit the complete design directory and all design files to the instructor.

  • Make-up :
    You may, at the discretion of the instructor, fix any errors or problems and be given the opportunity to re-demonstrate and re-submit design during the final examination period. Typically done during the final examination period.

  • Final Report 50% of Final Project Grade

    • Typically due at final exam period (Dec 16 )

    The final report must include your original proposal and design review in two appendices. You must submit a hardcopy of the final report and email the proposal as an MSword document to the instructor.

  • Final report for each group due on date indicated above
  • Format: 12 Page Max. 12 point typewritten body of report, excluding Appendix1 and Appendix 2

    Your design review must include:

    1. Cover page
      Title of project and group members.
    2. Executive summary(1/2 page max)
      Briefly describe the game in two paragraphs.
    3. Remaining Issues(1/2 page max)
      Briefly describe any unresolved problems that may remain.
      4. <> Game Description (4 page max)
      Describe the game in greater detail. Include the following 8 subsections:
      Give complete descriptions, even if there was no change since the original proposal
      Label your sections exactly as below
    4. Overview (1/2 page max)
      as in proposal, but updated for any changes
    5. The Quest: (1/2 page max)
    6. Main Character: (1/2 page max)
    7. Opponents: (1/2 page max)
    8. World Description: (1/2 page max)
    9. Menus: (1/2 page max)
    10. Controls: (1/2 page max)
    11. Sounds: (1/2 page max)
    12. Printouts:
    13. Printout of Main World Level in WED: (1 page max)
    14. Printout of Main World Level in a running game: (1 page max)
    15. Printout of Main Character in MED: (1 page max)
    16. Printout of Main Character in a running game: (1 page max)
    17. Printout of Main Opponent in MED: (1 page max)
    18. Printout of Main Opponent in a running game: (1 page max)
    19. Appendix 1: original proposal
      You must include your original proposal
    20. Appendix 2: original design review report
      You must include your original design review report
    21. You must submit a hardcopy of the final report and email the proposal as a PDF document to the instructor.

  • LABEL all sections EXACTLY as above, IN ORDER GIVEN ABOVE
  • You must submit a hardcopy of the final report and email the proposal as an MSword document to the instructor.