International Game Developers Association

Contents 1 Course Information 1.1 Course Title 1.2 Course Number 1.3 Instructors Name 1.4 Date 1.5 Course Length 1.6 Course Schedule 1.7 Unit of academic measurement 1.8 Lecture Hours 1.9 Lab Hours 1.10 Externship/Internship Hours 1.11 Total Credit Hours 1.12 Total Contact Hours 2 Course Description 2.1 Prerequisite 2.2 Co-requisites 3 Description of Content 3.1 Textbooks 3.2 Resources & Supplies 4 Course Specific Performance Objectives 5 Course Outline 6 Instructional Methods 7 Grading 8 Library Assignment(s) 9 Portfolio Assignment 10 Attendance 11 AIU Library Usage and research support 12 Make-up work 13 Revision date

Course Information

Course Title

Digital Audio for Game Design

Course Number

GAM4xx

Instructors Name

Full Name (optional telephone number and email)

Date

Date course begins or beginning and ending dates of term

Course Length

12 Weeks

Course Schedule

Day(s), Evening(s), Time class begins and ends each meeting

Unit of academic measurement

Quarter

Lecture Hours

40

Lab Hours

100

Externship/Internship Hours

0

Total Credit Hours

6

Total Contact Hours

80

Course Description

This serves as an introduction to digital audio production and post-production technology for computer games. Students will learn principles, equipment, and software used to record and edit sound, and will examine various digital audio compression and distribution formats. Sound theory, lip-synching, Foley sound, and audio reproduction techniques will be explored.

Prerequisite

None

Co-requisites

None

Description of Content

Textbooks

• REQUIRED The Complete Guide to Game Audio: For Composers, Musicians, Sound Designers, and Game Developers, Aaron Marks, CMP Books, 2001. ISBN: 1578200830
• REQUIRED Game Audio Programming (Advances in Computer Graphics and Game Development Series), James R. Boer, Charles River Media, 2002. ISBN: 1584502452
• REQUIRED Beginning Game Audio Programming, Mason McCuskey, Muska & Lipman Publishing, Premier Press, 2003. ISBN: 1592000290

Resources & Supplies

• REQUIRED CD-RW or portable storage device, notebook, pen.

Course Specific Performance Objectives

Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:

• Examine the use of digital audio in computer game development, with an analysis of post-production terminology, principles, and processes.
• Analyze various audio production and distribution formats.
• Explore terms and principles of sound theory.
• Use selected audio recording equipment and computer audio editing software, such as Pro tools, Nuendo, Cubase.
• Apply lip-synching, Foley sound reproduction, and synchronization techniques to the production of digital audio for games. Create unique character voices, soundtracks, and sound effects for games.

Life skills Performance Objectives	Objective Assessment Measures	Subjective Assessment Measures	Program Standards	Purpose
Demonstrate Game Audio Proficiency in game design and development	Complete sound design projects using software applications for audio recording	Self-Assessment of proficiency Participation in class lectures and assignments	Complete Sound design projects using application software and hardware	To prepare students to apply digital audio to game design and development
Demonstrate Audio principles and vocabulary including sampling and mixing	Participate in group discussions, critiques, and assignments	Self-Reporting of Confidence Revision of previous work	Student demonstrates network topologies direct play sessions and synchronization	Encourage development of Audio techniques used to design and control sound applications in game development
Demonstrate terms, tools, principles, and techniques used in game development	Assignment Completion Group discussions Individual guidance	Group critiques Self-Assessment Technical proficiency	Students participate in individual and group-based assignments	Prepare students to self-evaluate their programming knowledge and technical proficiency

Course Outline

Topic And Date	Description of Content	Time (In Contact Hours)
1	Explore various software applications and understanding of game audio production	5%
2	Develop standard audio skills in recording sound for games	10%
3	Demonstrate editing techniques and multi-tracking	10%
4	Looping, multi-tracking and advance recording	10%
5	Special effects for video game design	10%
6	Scripting and batching for game development	10%
7	Advanced multi editing inserting wave clips	10%
8	Adding Sound Effects and Music To Your Game; Loading and Saving Information Using Files; Playing Intro Movies and Cut Scenes	10%
9	Inserting wave files for window folders	10%
10	Sound design for Game Development Project	10%
11	Audio Game Development Project Continued	10%
12	Final Projects Due; Classroom Critique and Discussion	5%
TOTAL		100%

Instructional Methods

Lectures and demonstrations, classroom discussions and critiques, programming assignments, handouts, presentations, and written assignments will assist in the critical analysis of different techniques, principles, and theories of game development.

Grading

Student performance will be based upon the following criteria:

Class Participation and Critiques:	10%
Studio Assignments:	50%
Project #1:	20%
Project #2:	20%
	100%

Library Assignment(s)

As assigned by the instructor. The written assignments will involve both library research and the use of reference material with proper documentation. Directions for the written assignments will be on file so that tutors may assist students; students requiring additional assistance should speak with the instructor at their earliest convenience. The CECybrary should also be used as a reference for all class papers and projects.

Portfolio Assignment

Program portfolios are a recommended and demonstrable means for assessing student competencies. Each student should select a project or paper from this course that best demonstrates his/her proficiencies with the material presented. Each student should then review and assess the chosen project or paper with the course instructor, revise it as needed, and add it to his/her program portfolio.

Attendance

Students are expected to perform as professionals in their respective fields, which includes reporting to work/class regularly, on time, and prepared to contribute.

• Miss 10% of the scheduled hours for the course, receive a warning letter
• Miss 20% of the scheduled hours for the course, student may be withdrawn and assigned the appropriate grade based on AIU grading policy. The instructor may consider extenuating circumstances.
• Late arrivals (tardies) or early departures from classes will be counted, on a prorated basis, in course absences.
• The university’s attendance portal does not differentiate between “excused” and “unexcused” absences. Students are encouraged to coordinate with faculty prior to missing any class period.
• Students who stop attending class without officially withdrawing will be considered in violation of the attendance policy and will receive the appropriate grade, which may include a grade of “F.”
• Students are responsible for any missed work when absent. In addition, the student is expected to be prepared for class upon his/her return.
• At the discretion of the respective faculty member, class participation, not attendance, may be included in the course grade.
• Students requesting a grade of Incomplete must follow the guidelines established in the College Catalog or the Student Handbook.

AIU Library Usage and research support

Students with valid AIU IDs are encouraged to use the Buckhead Campus Library to conduct research. The website to look for books in the AIU Library is http://arc.aiuniv.edu. The research database, GALILEO, may be accessed from two websites: http://www.galileo.peachnet.edu or http://www.galileo2.peachnet.edu. Passwords for access to GALILEO change periodically, but can be obtained from the Library at 404-965-5767.

Make-up work

To be determined by the faculty member.

Revision date

12/02 JSaulter