Lecture1 IMED 105
Download as PPTX, PDF1 like165 views
This document provides an overview of an introductory course on game modding. The goals of the course are to understand game production processes, development practices, multimedia aspects like graphics and sound, user experience evaluation, and applying modding techniques to design game levels. The course units cover the history of modding, planning, tools, storycrafting, level design, implementation, testing, and a final presentation. Early examples of mods discussed are Ms. Pacman and Castle Wolfenstein. Students will complete assignments playing and reviewing Skyrim and participating in a video and survey.
Lecture1 IMED 105
- 1. IMED105: Introduction to Game Modding Charles Palmer – Spring 2017
- 2. Our Goals for the Semester • Gain an understanding of game production • Appreciate development practices used in the game industry • Understand the effects and management of graphics and sound in multimedia games • Evaluate the user experience • Use and apply modding techniques to design game level • Understand and apply the concepts of project management, including the documentation of the process
- 3. Units Introduction Wk 1 The History of Game Modding Planning Wk 2 Pre-Planning Wk 3 The Process Wk 4 Concept Development Wk 5 Tools of the Trade Wk 6 Storycrafting Wk 7 Level Design Wk 8 Concept and Plan Presentation Production Wk 9 Implementation Post-Production Wk 11 Testing Wk 12 Progress Presentation Reflection Wk 15 Final Presentation
- 4. Introduction What is a game mod?
- 5. Introduction What is a “mod”? A mod or modification, when used in video games, refers to the process of altering a game’s design, graphics, narrative, or programming. Mods that add new content to the underlying game are often called partial conversions, while mods that create an entirely new game are called total conversions and mods that fix bugs are often called unofficial patches.
- 6. The History of Game Modding • Steve Russell’s 1962 Spacewar! = first digital game • DEC PDP-1 (Programmed Data Processor-1) at MIT as a demonstration of the new computer’s capabilities
- 7. Early Modding Game Mod Ms. Pacman Although not a user-generated mod as will be covered in class, Ms. Pacman is one the first successful mods of an existing title (Pacman > Crazy Otto > Ms. Pacman) Castle Wolfenstein One of the first user-generated mods was a complete reskinning of Castle Wolfenstein (not Wolfenstein 3D) to ‘Castle Smurfenstein’ which was done by a single programmer with an interest in game design and hatred of little blue men. Doom Fist Full of Doom – Complete revamp of popular PC first person shooter (FPS). New maps, sprites, enemies were just some of the additions; however the weapons remained the same. Half Life Portal Challenge – came out prior to the ‘portal’ game and allowed user to experience what portal might be like (portal gun, opening/closing portals etc.) Grand Theft Auto Allowed users to add on new maps, weapons, challenges – essentially creating a completely new experience for users.
- 8. Modern Modding Classroom activity #1: • Use a whiteboard or other collaborative space to create a list games that have been modded. • Feel free to use the internet to research the title • If possible list the game’s original publication date
- 9. What have you played? Classroom activity #2: • Go back to Moodle and locate the ‘Game Mods’ forum in week 1. • Add a new discussion topic using your name as the Subject. • In the message area list the games you’ve played that are themselves a mod or games which have been modded.
- 10. Assignment 1 Moodle: Your Skyrim experience Review complete assignment details on Moodle Synopsis: o Install and play 5 hours of Skyrim o Create a 500 word essay about your Skyrim experience: • how much have you played • have you completed the main quest • have you played any of the DLC • What level is your character • Include two screenshot • What do you enjoy about the game • What don't you enjoy about this game • What is your favorite game genre
Editor's Notes
- #5: Next slide
- #6: It is utilized in all gaming genres but is especially common in first-person shooters, RPGs (role-playing games) and real-time strategy games. Mods are made by the general public or a developer in an effort to extend the experience of the original title or to create a new standalone experience. They can include new items, weapons, characters, enemies, models, textures, levels, story lines, music, and modes of play. Aside from the three types of mods listed here; there are also level packs, which add new content area and HD mods, which generally add higher resolution assets.
- #7: In the game, two players controlled armed spaceships with limited missiles and fuel. Each player had to maneuver their spaceship around the screen avoiding the gravitational pulls of a large star and missiles fired by their adversary. Player could also jump into “hyperspace”, as a last ditch effort, to be transported to a random location on the screen. The game rapidly spread to other research centers where programmers began modifying the original code with the addition of cloaking devices, space mines and additional modes of play - thus creating the earliest examples of digital game modding.
- #9: Once the group has built
- #10: Pick the option that is best for the class: