Specifically, the course covers languages both scripting and programming, AI concepts, level design, storytelling, careers, relationship to technology (especially CPU/GPU/SOC), video game history, development cycles, DirectX, OpenGL, game engines like unity and unreal. The class uses strategy video games to demonstrate concepts and theory. Also includes Virtual reality, mobile gaming, immersion, virtual, augmented reality glasses, and the future of computers/video games. The course is project-oriented allowing either programming or nonprogramming options such as Unity, Raspberry PI, Visual Novels, level-editors, 3D software, research papers, and a very permissive set of alternatives.

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

1. Define the evolution and future of the CPU and GPU microprocessor.
2. Identify how technology has paralleled video game evolution. 2. Identify the evolution of the video game.
3. Identify Direct-X, Direct Play, Direct Sound, and Open GL.
4. Distinguish between Direct-X Graphics, Open GL, and 3-D. Engines.
5. Differentiate between various languages used for game design.
6. Formulate computer players using AI techniques.
7. Demonstrate scenario development using story telling techniques.
8. Relate key elements of good game design to a highly successful game.
9. Formulate various strategies used in individual and team Video game play.
10. Identify realism in successful games.
11. Explain various Career options in the video game market.
12. Explore the future of video games.
13. Identify bias in game reviews by distinguishing fact from opinion, errors in reasoning.
14. Analyze various social impacts of video game.

Students completing this course satisfactorily will be able to:

1. Understand the role of the microprocessor's hyperthreading, and integration of the central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU), and network interface card (NIC) into a system on a chip (SoC).
2. Analyze the various scripting and programming languages used to both develop and modify games.
3. Understand the functionality of software game engines.

Required Student Resource: You will have to install a version AOE II or IV from steam. Strategy game canvas module, will discuss various installation options, including previous free versions.

Optional Text:  Game Guru: Strategy Games, Dave Morris ISBN: 1-59200-253-6 © 2005 Publish date: October 18, 2004 Publisher Course-book  - Books is on Reserve in IMC Lab. You may not be able to purchase it, don't spend more than $20 for the book, lectures cover material that is in book
Currently looking into an Online option for this book, will post when I get one. Only part of the course uses this book, it is a fun book to read.

Course grade consists of disccusion boards (25%), Canvas quizzes and tests (25%) and project (40%). Canvas weekly due modules is your course guide. Since this is an on-line class you are required to forward your Saddleback e-mail address to your main e-mail. When sending e-mails, make sure you include cimp3 or Game Design in subject line. Academic Integrity is critical to passing this course. Using AI to complete work is a violation of academic integrity. Failure to abide by academic integrity can result in a failing grade. For further information on academic integrity consult UCSD Professor Elkan's Written Description., AI policy and cim site policy. Academic work, especially criticism and research, involve using the work of other writers, researchers, and artists. Students need to know they are allowed to use this material, so long as they supply attribution. In addition, if you use the work of any other writer, researcher, or artist, even an image from the Internet, you need to provide attribution and ensure you are modeling fair use. Refer to the Creative Commons page for further information. The course grade will be calculated from:

100%-92%	A/Credit/ P Pass		Canvas Online Tests and Quizzes*	38%
91.99%-84%	B/Credit/ P Pass		Main Project	38%
83.99%-70%	C/Credit/ P Pass		Critical Thinking Discussion Board Posts/Assignments	24%
69.99%-60%	D/No Credit/NP		Total	100%
59.99%-0%	F/No Credit/NP		*Quizzes/Tests have some difficult questions and cover a lot of material, it is unlikely to Ace the Quizzes/tests. However, quizzes do have bonus points, which is not included in the canvas calculation. Also, make sure you complete all discussion boards, and devote effort into your project, if you do a 70% on quizzes with a +90% on everything else will result in an A or B grade.

Tips for Taking Quizzes or Tests

• Before you take the quiz, notice the time limit and number of attempts allowed.
• Make sure you first watch the relevant webcasts, take notes on viewgraphs and review notes.
• Arrange your schedule so you will not be interrupted.
• You may want to post a "Do Not Disturb" sign outside your door or computer area.
• Make sure your Internet connection is reliable for a continued connection while taking the quiz.
• Use a desktop or laptop instead of a phone or tablet to take the quiz.
• Contact your instructor via the Canvas Inbox immediately if you experience any problems while taking a quiz

Late Work: Canvas has both due dates, dates the task should be completed by and also expiration date, date at which you can longer complete the task. Due/Expiration Dates are firm and late work will not be accepted unless arrangements are made prior to the due date.

Sometimes you get a grade that you don't like, usually for one of the following reasons:

1. There was a clerical error  (i.e., the points were added up wrong).
2. You think you did something right, and I think you did it wrong.

If you discover a clerical error, tell me immediately. The following Statute of Limitations will apply: You have one week from the day any graded assignment or test is returned to you to appeal the grade you received. After one week, I will assume that you believe the grade you got is the correct one. After one week, grades are unchangeable, fixed, and permanent

It is the student's responsibility to officially withdraw (drop) from the class through Admission and Records or MySite. However, Instructor may drop, "No-Show" students under any of the following conditions:

1. During the first week of this course, you are required to participate or you may be dropped from the course. You must at least login to canvas before the end of the first week. Reminders will be sent to school email accounts.
2. As part of the read me first canvas module you are required to introduce yourself as part of the welcome announcement discussion board.
   If you have any challenges with the two above tasks during the first week, please notify me as soon as possible so we can get you started!
   
3. Students who have not completed at least 1 assignments two days before the drop without W grade.
4. By the last date to add with APC code, you must login to canvas, complete the orientation quiz and any corresponding assignment.
5. Students who have been emailed a drop warning and don't attempt the stated work.
6. Students who have not completed at least 50% of the work  by two days before the drop with W grade.
7. When in-class sessions are present, students who miss 2 or more class sessions or the very first onsite in-person class session.
   
8. Throughout the semester, I will review your participation and assignments. If you have not participated or logged in within the previous 10 days, you can be dropped from the course. It’s your responsibility to notify me if you have any challenges as soon as possible. It is also your responsibility to drop the course if you feel you can no longer participate and complete the course.

Consult current schedule for exact dates.

Students with disabilities are entitled to appropriate accommodations.  This course meets the requirements set forth in the accessibility checklist and universal design grid provided by Special Services. The Web pages, video presentations, textbooks and class materials used in this course are accessible to students with disabilities If you have specific disabilities requiring accommodations, let your instructor know the first 10 days of the semester so that your learning needs may be met and for referral to the Special Services office where documentation of your disability will be provided to receive services and accommodations.  The Special Services Office is in Student Services Center, Room 113.

Any exceptions to the above statements will be considered individually & only if you approach me about the proposed exception at least a week in advance.

This is an on on-line - distance educational (DE) course.

The weekly Canvas announcement will concisely summarize what you need to complete each week. The assignment page provides a detailed course guide. Work on all assignments one at a time, in the order they are listed. At the start of the course weekly welcome announcement will be sent to your Saddleback e-mail address. For a due date summary of the entire course consult the schedule.

Regular effective contact between the Professor and student is required for success. This class we will have weekly videos, web-casts and frequent emails (several per week), will post threaded discussion on important e-mails. In the past students seem to prefer the email communication over discussion board. The assignment page is very detailed on purpose it specifically address many of the questions raised in the past. When required actual phone calls will be made. and instructor does offer in-person help. In addition to in-person help we have 24/7 access to webcasting software. With webcasting software instructor/student can share screen and provides VOIP (Voice over IP - Internet) interactive connections.

Personal Help Coaching Counseling

Besides being available to help with this class, if you need help navigating classes, what technology to learn and/or completing a certificate, you can always send me an email. In addition, to myself we also have success coach Victor Valadez and team counselor Jennifer Rachman.

General Help

Saddleback college also offers more individualized DE help at Canvas, login, or general Technical Support
The canvas site has two important links for help: student guides, and browser support (I don't recommended working on this class from a smartphone),

Netiquette is Internet manners, online etiquette, and digital etiquette all rolled into one word. Basically, netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Students are to comply with the following rules of netiquette:

• Identify yourself:
  • Begin messages with a salutation and end them with your name.
  • Use a signature (a footer with your identifying information) at the end of a message
• Include a subject line. If applicable; Give a descriptive phrase in the subject line of the message header that tells the topic of the message (not just "Hi, there!").
• Avoid sarcasm. People who don't know you may misinterpret its meaning.
• Respect others' opinions privacy. Do not quote or forward personal email without the original author's permission.
• Acknowledge and return messages promptly.
• Copy with caution. Don't copy everyone you know on each message.
• No spam (aka junk mail). Don't contribute to worthless information on the Internet by sending or responding to mass postings of chain letters, rumors, etc.
• Be concise. Keep messages concise—about one screen, as a rule of thumb.
• Use appropriate language:
  • Avoid coarse, rough, or rude language.
  • Observe good grammar and spelling.
• Use appropriate emoticons (emotion icons) to help convey meaning. Use "smiley's" or punctuation such as :-) to convey emotions. View the list of emoticons  at Netlingo and SmugBook

• Use appropriate intensifiers to help convey meaning.
  • Avoid "flaming" (online "screaming") or sentences typed in all caps.
  • Use asterisks surrounding words to indicate italics used for emphasis (*at last*).
  • Use words in brackets, such as (grin), to show a state of mind.
  • Use common acronyms,but know the context meaning discussed. (e.g., LOL usually means "laugh out loud", in gaming in means League of Legends, it also means Lot of Love)
  • do not use ALL CAPS or multiple exclamation marks (!!!)
• Be courteous to the other students in the class. You might find it helpful to read your posting out loud before you submit it: the "tone" is a very important part of electronic communication. When you read your message out loud does it sound the way you would speak to another student in the classroom?
• Refrain from inappropriate language.
• Never make derogatory comments toward another person in the class.
• You can disagree with ideas, but do not make personal attacks.

Other than Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS) directed auxiliary aids and academic accommodations, the use of any electronic listening or recording device in any classroom is prohibited without the explicit prior consent of the instructor (CA Ed Code Sec. 78907). It is in violation of South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) policies (BP 5401 & AR 5401) which address student conduct. It is also a crime to record any private communication, such as a classroom lecture, without the consent of all parties to the conversation (Cal. Penal Code § 632). Violation of such rules may result in disciplinary action