This document provides an overview of the Fundamentals of Game Development program at Chaffey College. It discusses the history of games, key issues in the industry, player demographics and motivations, common game genres and elements, roles in the game industry, and the development process. Students in the program will work in teams to design game concepts and prototypes, taking on roles like art, programming, and quality assurance. The goal is to provide hands-on learning of the skills needed for careers in the game industry.

1. Fundamentals of Game DevelopmentAn Introduction to the Game Development Program at Chaffey

2. HISTORY OF GAMESHistory of gamesSignificant milestones in the history of electronic game development - The names and players that shaped the industryPongAtari, Sega, Nintendo, ActivisionBushnell, MiyamotoThe History of Gaming (pbs.org)

4. KEY ISSUESVideo Game slump in the 1980’sTemporary decline, Oversupply, Lack of innovation, Competitive pricingThe new golden age of home consolesNintendo Entertainment System (NES), Sony PlaystationSenate Hearings and Game ViolenceIn class debatePersonal Computer RevolutionMMOG’s

5. PLAYERSWhat motivates people to play games, and how does this affect the types of games that are developedGeographicsDemographicsPsychographics

6. Why do you play?Social interaction - Play to interact with opponents or teamsPhysical seclusion - Play within the privacy of own environmentsCompetition - Play to winKnowledge - Play to learnMastery - Play to get betterEscapism - Play to relieve stress, not think about real lifeAddiction - Play because you cant stop So… Why do you play?

7. A world of gamers.. 52% of players report watching less television as a result of playing games 47% of players are going to the movies less 41% of players watch movies at home less often 54% of U.S. households have purchased or plan to purchase one or more games adult women make up a larger percentage of players than boys ages 6–17 females of all ages now make up almost 40% of the game-playing population men and women over 18 make up 64 percent of the player population 17% of players are over age 50

8. GAME ELEMENTSGenres PlatformsDevelopment tools and languagesPlayer modesInterfacesControlsEngines

9. GenreThe term genre refers to the traditional divisions of art forms from a single field of activity into various kinds according to criteria particular to that form.Source: wikipedia.comGenres in computer games help the designers form a unified vision, help the businessman sell the game, and help the audience know what they are getting

10. GenresActionPlatformer(Donkey Kong)Racing(GravRally)Fighting(Tekken)

11. GenresAction (cont’d)First-Person Shooter [FPS](Deus Ex)Third-Person Shooter(Tomb Raider)

12. GenresSimulationVehicle (Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004)Participatory – Sports(All-Star Baseball 2005)Process(Sim City 4)

13. GenresStrategyTurn-based strategy(Civilization III)Real-time strategy (RTS)(Command & Conquer: Generals – Zero Hour)

14. GenresMassively Multiplayer Online Games (MMOGs)MMOFPS(Planetside)MMORPG(EverQuest)MMORTS(Shattered Galaxy)MMOPG(Puzzle Pirates)

15. GenresCasino(Prestige Casino)Adventure(Myst)Action-Adventure(Beyond Good & Evil)Puzzle(Tetris)

16. Genres (cont’d)Role-playing (RPG)(Wizardry 8)Bemani(DDR)Trivia(Quia)Survival-horror(Silent Hill)

17. Game Project: Game ConceptThe purpose of a concept document is to sell the idea for a game to your team, company or funding source. Submit a 3-5 page concept document containing headers and 1 paragraph (on average) discussions of each of the following:TitleGenrePlatformPremise, high concept, BackstoryTarget ratingTarget maketPlayer motivationUSP – Unique selling propositionCompetitive analysisGroup project, presentation, top pitch is determined by the students, top project will be continued upon by the entire class

18. ROLESRoles in the Game IndustryPlaces to find jobsQualificationsInternshipsSkill setsCompanies

19. Getting InCommon entry is through QA or test departmentBuild examples of your workCode samplesArtDesignFor all jobs – PLAY PLENTY OF GAMESPlay games that you don’t likeGeneralized salary range $25K - $90K/yr

20. Game Development TeamsProductionArt and DesignProgrammingAudioQuality AssuranceStudents apply for a position on the final project for the class and are split into teams according to their job title.

21. Resources“Working So Others Can Play” http://www.gignews.com/crosby1.htmwww.gamejobs.comwww.dice.comwww.monster.comInternational Game Developers association www.igda.orgGame Demo nightNetworking opportunities

22. Development of the Design Document and PrototypeStorytellingCharacter DevelopmentGraphicsSoundGame Development ToolsGame MakerThe Games FactoryFPS??

23. Traditional Storytelling

24. Story ElementsPremise - One or two sentences that summarize the gameBackstory - Info that leads up to where the game beginsSynopsis – the setting and actions that take place in the game, the artificial game worldTheme – what the story is really about, the primary goal or obstacleSetting – the backdrop, the world being explored

25. Game Story Devices Interactivity

26. Non-linearity (story layers/pathing)

27. Player control

28. Collaboration

29. Immersion

30. Cinematics & cut-scenes

31. Scripted eventsCharacter Description Name