This document outlines a mini-project for games development focusing on desktop PCs and Xbox 360 at the University of Hertfordshire. It aims to teach students game design, implementation, and deployment using the XNA framework and includes specific tasks and learning outcomes. Students will create a game prototype, modify it for interactivity, and deploy it on Xbox 360, incorporating user input techniques and multimedia elements.

1. Mini-Project Games Development for the Desktop
PC and Dedicated Gaming Machine
Author: University of Hertfordshire
Date created:
Date revised: 2009
Abstract
The following resources come from the 2009/10 BSc in Games & Graphics Hardware Technology (course
number 2ELE0074) from the University of Hertfordshire. All the mini projects are designed as level two
modules of the undergraduate programmes.
The objectives of this project are to Demonstrate, using a mobile and/or embedded device:
• Content design and appreciation of limitations
• Implementation of a simple game for a PC
• Extending the game development to deploy onto a XBOX® 360
The project will involve developing a simple game concept to demonstrate the portability of the XNA®
framework. Students will be required to develop contents for an existing prototype game, with the intention of
extending the functionality to provide interaction with objects within the game, using the mouse and keyboard
on the PC as well as XBOX 360 game controllers connected to the PC. The game will be further deployed to
work on a dedicated gaming machine, the XBOX 360.
Contents
Mini-Project Games Development for the Desktop PC and Dedicated Gaming Machine..................1
Section 1. Project Specification............................................................................................................2
Section 2. Project Day 1 Tasks.............................................................................................................4
Section 3. Project Day 2 Tasks.............................................................................................................4
Credits...................................................................................................................................................5
In addition to the resources found below there are supporting documents which should be
used in combination with this resource. Please see:
Mini Projects - Introductory presentation.
Mini Projects - E-Log.
Mini Projects - Staff & Student Guide.
Mini Projects - Standard Grading Criteria.
Mini Projects - Reflection.
You will also need the ‘Mini Project Game Development’ presentation.
© University of Hertfordshire 2009 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.

2. Mini-Project Game Development
Section 1. Project Specification
1. Learning Outcomes assessed (as taken from the DMD)
All Learning Outcomes specified in the Definitive Module Documentation are assessed as part of this
miniproject, the specific Learning Outcomes are:
Knowledge and Understanding
• Be able to analyse and breakdown problem tasks into manageable steps.
• Integrate previous and concurrent learning and to use it to solve technology-based problems.
• Be able to describe the project life-cycle appropriately.
•
Be able to select appropriate Games and Graphics Hardware Technology and techniques for a given
situation.
Skills and Attributes
• Produce a solution to a defined Games and Graphics Hardware Technology problem.
• Carry out a simple critical evaluation of their solution.
• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in a teams, small groups and individually.
• Demonstrate an ability to manage time and resources effectively.
2. Project Title: Games Development for the Desktop PC and Dedicated Gaming Machine
3. Project Objectives: (technical, specific to this project)
Demonstrate, using a mobile and/or embedded device:
• Content design and appreciation of limitations
• Implementation of a simple game for a PC
• Extending the game development to deploy onto a XBOX® 360
4. Project Summary: (50 words max)
The project will involve developing a simple game concept to demonstrate the portability of the XNA®
framework. Students will be required to develop contents for an existing prototype game, with the intention of
extending the functionality to provide interaction with objects within the game, using the mouse and keyboard
on the PC as well as XBOX 360 game controllers connected to the PC. The game will be further deployed to
work on a dedicated gaming machine, the XBOX 360.
5. Introductory Lecture (2hrs) Content:
i. XBOX 360 hardware architecture
ii. .NET™ Application Development
iii. XNA Framework, .NET Compact Framework
iv. Content Design for XNA
6. Preparation Session (3hrs):
i. Familiarisation with the Visual Studio® 2005 environment.
ii. Simple exercise using the XNA framework.
iii. Connectivity and deployment of simple exercise to the XBOX 360.
7. Day 1
Expected Outcomes for the day:
Students are required to understand the Visual Studio 2005 C# Express development environment. They are
then required to open an existing game solution and understand the structure of the game design. These
must be documented and written up for the portfolio submission towards the end. They will be required to
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3. Mini-Project Game Development
create textures that can be used to modify the existing object within the game. They will also be required to
create their own audio effects which can be used within the game. Students are then required to incorporate
these resources they have created to the game itself.
Assessment criteria; the way in which the work has been planned and managed, the creation of textures
and audio clips and the suitability for the game, the effectiveness and captivation of the audience based on
the modified game using the textures and audio clips.
Key Tasks:
• Designing textures and audio clips that are suitable for the game
• Modification and implementation of the game to include the created textures and audio clips.
8. Day 2
Expected Outcomes for the day:
Students are expected to modify the codes to provide interaction with either the mouse or keyboard of the
PC, in the mind of extending the functionality to enable the use of the XBOX 360 controllers connected to the
development PC. Students will also need to consider the need of deploying the final game to the dedicated
gaming hardware, the XBOX 360, with controls limited to only the XBOX 360 controllers. Further features
may be implemented such as bump mapping and lighting effects.
Assessment criteria; the way in which the work has been managed, the creation and modification of the
game to incorporate interactivity using input devices, such as the mouse, keyboard, and XBOX 360
controllers. Additional implementation such as bump mapping and lighting effects on the object of the game
will yield a credible result.
Key Tasks:
• Providing interaction to the existing game on the development PC
• Deploying the existing game to the XBOX 360 hardware
• Demonstration
9. Facilitator guidance (key ideas to draw out from students):
Day 1: .NET Compact Framework, XNA Framework, Content creation for gaming software
Day 2: Interaction and incorporating further hardware specific techniques to the existing game
10. Required Resources: Laboratory Facilities and Teaching Support.
Laboratory Resources:
1. Visual Studio 2005 C# Express with XNA Framework Refresh
2. XBOX 360 with Creator Club’s subscription to enable deployment from development PC to the
XBOX 360.
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4. Mini-Project Game Development
Section 2. Project Day 1 Tasks
1. Create a XNA® project for the XBOX® 360
2. Place 5 sound-emitting objects (fixed) in a 3D space as shown in the figure before.
3. Enable the gamepad to control the final object (you) to roam around freely in the 3D space.
4. Test your game in the games lab.
Section 3. Project Day 2 Tasks
Develop one of the following on the XBOX® 360:
– Interactive Notice Board / Bill board
– 3D Virtual Tour of your House
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5. Mini-Project Game Development
Credits
This resource was created by the University of Hertfordshire and released as an open educational resource
through the Open Engineering Resources project of the HE Academy Engineering Subject Centre. The Open
Engineering Resources project was funded by HEFCE and part of the JISC/HE Academy UKOER
programme.
© University of Hertfordshire 2009
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License.
Microsoft, XBOX, XNA, .NET and Visual studio are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
The name of the University of Hertfordshire, UH and the UH logo are the name and registered marks of the University of Hertfordshire.
To the fullest extent permitted by law the University of Hertfordshire reserves all its rights in its name and marks which may not be used
except with its written permission.
The JISC logo is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 UK: England
& Wales Licence. All reproductions must comply with the terms of that licence.
The HEA logo is owned by the Higher Education Academy Limited may be freely distributed and copied for educational purposes only,
provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given to the Higher Education Academy as the copyright holder and original publisher.
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