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.

ContentsSection 1. Project Specification............................................................................................2Section 2. Project Day 1 Tasks............................................................................................4Section 3. Project Day 2 Tasks............................................................................................4Credits..................................................................................................................................5

In addition to the resources found below there are supporting documents which should beused 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.

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 architectureii. .NET™ Application Developmentiii. XNA Framework, .NET Compact Frameworkiv. 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 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.

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Mini-Project Game Development

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 Refresh2. XBOX 360 with Creator Club’s subscription to enable deployment from development PC to the

XBOX 360.

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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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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.

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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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