Computer/Video Game Development

Karen PetersenLead Gameplay Programmer

Telltale Games

Background

• BA Mathematics

• BS Computer Science

• Game Credits:– Escape From Monkey Island (Scripter)– Star Wars Bounty Hunter (Programmer – UI,

porting)– CSI: 3 Dimensions of Murder (Lead Gameplay

Programmer)

Game Development Team

QA

Art

EngineeringProduction

Design

Phases

• Concept

• Game Design

• Technical Specifications

• Preproduction

• Production

• QA

• Release

Concept Phase

• Game Type• Game Perspective• Target Audience• Platform (PC, Console, Handheld)• Timeframe• Cost/Budget• General Features• Treatment

Game Design

• Concept Art

• Gameplay Mechanics

• Documentation

Technical Specifications

• Art Path

• “Level Editor” Design

• Engine Design

Preproduction

• Core engine implementation

• Development tool implementation

• Core asset creation (meshes, textures, skeletons, animations)

• Game object creation (levels/sets/scenes, objects, characters, UI)

• Basic game logic wiring

• Goal: First playable/proof of concept

Production

• Milestones

• Alpha Milestone

• Beta Milestone

QA

• Critical Path Play Testing

• Bug Identification

• Bug Resolution

• Playability

• User Feedback

Release

• Gold master

• Ship it!

• Manufacturing

• Post mortem

• Maintenance

Areas of Game Programming http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_programmer

• General• Physics• AI• Graphics• Sound• Gameplay• UI• Network• Tools• Scripting• Porting• Lead

Engineering Layers

Game Logic

Scripting

Core Engine and Tools

Engineering Practices

• Code Re-use

• Speed

• Efficiency

• Memory Management

• Debugging

• Data Driven

• Localization

What qualities does a programmer require? http://www.devmaster.net/wiki/An_Introduction_to_Game_Programming

• To make it in the field, a programmer must be part engineer and part Sherlock Holmes. They have a thirst for knowledge and technology and most importantly, the power of insight. He or she usually has a strong interest in the Maths (the interesting stuff after beginner algebra), and has a very inquisitive and problem-solving nature. They are the sort of person who got in trouble for taking the VCR apart to see what was inside it.

• Programmers, despite the stereotype are highly creative people - to be good in the field it requires creativity to push machines, try things differently and to dream up new ways of solving problems.

• … To make games, you will have to do a lot of work and independently teach yourself about a great range of topics.

Often Overlooked Engineering Practices

• Client Relationship

• Useable Tech

• Communication

• Iterative Process

Resources

• Effective C++, Scott Meyers• More Effective C++, Scott Meyers• Game Programming Gems (series)• Gamasutra• Game Developer magazine• Game Developer’s Conference (GDC)• www.devmaster.net• www.gamemaker.nl