CSC3232 : Gaming Technologies and Simulations
- Offered for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Rich Davison
- Lecturer: Dr Giacomo Bergami
- Owning School: Computing
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
Aims
To understand the programming techniques associated with the technical development of a video game. Students gain experience in the technical design and implementation of engineering a computer games system. The analysis of a design as an engineered system is assessed through appropriate choice of system components based on complexity, processor cost and memory imprint.
Outline Of Syllabus
The syllabus has focus around the programming requirements for video games in the context of physics, artificial intelligence, and gameplay
• Players and adversaries – gameplay programming for adversarial based games
• Path-finding – algorithms for navigation
• Game AI– algorithms for simulating behaviour
• Physics – approximating realistic simulations in real-time in video games
• Effects – providing computationally light audio and visual effects in real-time
• Gameplay modelling- Using probability to encourage longevity of play
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Traditional Present in Person lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 22 | 1:00 | 22:00 | Lecture follow-up |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 22 | 2:00 | 44:00 | Present in Person Computer Classroom |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Coursework 2 |
| Guided Independent Study | Project work | 15 | 1:00 | 15:00 | Coursework 1 |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 82 | 1:00 | 82:00 | Background reading |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Techniques and theory are presented in lectures. Supervised practical classes on a PC cluster room provide experience of writing programs and using PCs with help available.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 90 | 1 | A | 50 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Practical/lab report | 1 | M | 50 | Graphical simulation achieved through game engine plug-in (software equivalent to 4000 words) |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The written examination demonstrates that students understand the underlying theory and standard methods, and
can apply them. The coursework ensures the students understand and can engineer solutions based on graphical
code libraries.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- CSC3232's Timetable