International Game Developers Association

Programming for Games 3 - a module on BSc Computer Games Software Engineering at Northumbria University, in Newcastle, England

Games Education
Course

Contents 1 Teachers 1.1 Instructors 2 Course Background Information 2.1 Location 2.2 Classification 2.3 Student background needed 2.4 Course prerequisites 2.5 Time periods 3 Course Structure 3.1 Course description 3.2 Course learning objectives 3.3 Week by week topics 4 Course Materials & Facilities Used 4.1 What worked 4.2 What didn't work

Teachers

Instructors

• Chris Rook
• Dave Harrison

Course Background Information

Location

Northumbria University City Campus, Newcastle, England

Classification

See: Areas for classifing for your course.

Games Programming

Student background needed

Students are expected to have a reasonable experience with C++ programming and a competence in Maths. This module is only offered on BSc Computer Games Software Engineering, year 2.

Course prerequisites

This module follows on from Northumbria (UK) CM404 Programming for Games 2

Time periods

The module is delivered over 12 weeks (one semester) with the following contact time each week

• Two 1-hour lectures
• One 2-hour lab session

Course Structure

Course description

This is an advanced module of C++ programming, teaching object orientation and compiler writing.

Course learning objectives

On completion of this module the student will be able to:

• Design and use classes
• Demonstrate an understanding of the creation and structure of a simple 2D game using an API
• Demonstrate an understanding of dynamic memory structures
• Demonstrate an understanding of the use of dynamic memory structures
• Demonstrate an understanding of simple optimisation
• Apply mathematical and physical principles in the context of computer games

Week by week topics

Week	Topic
1	Classes.
2	Inheritance.
3	Pointers and structures.
4	Game Objects.
5	Dynamic frame rates.
6	Templates and stuff
7	Compiler writing
8	Compiler writing
9	Compiler writing.
10	Compiler writing.
11	Compiler writing
12	Revision

Course Materials & Facilities Used

Here you can link to and/or describe books and other materials you used for this course. Feel free to create new pages for each item here if a page for it does not yet exist.

Books

Programming and Problem Solving with C++ (Dale, Weems & Heddington)

Software (engines, tools)

Microsoft Developer Studio .NET as a C++ development environment.

Syllabus

• Specification of classes including static attributes, inheritance & dynamic binding 15%
• O-O programming design including polymorphism 10%
• Creation of a Sprite Class Structure 10%
• Use of an API to create a 2D game 25%
• Dynamic memory structures such as linked lists and trees 10%
• Simple optimisation - such as Ω notation, inlining and macros 10%
• Applying simple physics modelling including gravity, collision detection, inertia, acceleration etc. 20%

Assessment strategy

Assessment is by exam.

Case studies

Writing a simple compiler

What worked

The students are now becoming competent C++ programmers

What didn't work

The balance of what is done is this module seems wrong. While the compiler-writing is an excellent case study to stretch the students' programming abilities, it could be more game-specific.

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