NDAK15004U Computer Game Development Project (DADIU)

Volume 2018/2019
Education

MSc Programme in Computer Science

Content

The purpose of this course is to teach the art and science of creating computer games.

This course is given in collaboration with the Danish National Academy of Digital Interactive Entertainment (DADIU).  Students from different universities and art schools are taught together in 3 phases: Joint curriculum, Game Workshop and Graduation Game. Computer Science students are given the role as game programmer, possibly lead programmer.

The course is particularly relevant for students wishing to work with computer game creation after their studies.

Learning Outcome

Having completed this course, the student will have

Knowledge of

  • The theoretical basis for creating computer games.
  • Different aspects and phases of the game development process.
  • The key elements for successful team work.
  • A concrete game implementation platform and development environment.


Skills to

  • Analyse and select the best algorithms and/or data structures for solving a given problem in a computer game.
  • Implement complex program components for game logic, visual presentation, and/or player interaction.
  • Evaluate, and possibly optimize, the performance a computer game.


Competences to

  • Cooperate with a game production team as a game programmer.
  • Participate in inter-disciplinary team work with multiple member roles, both technical and artistic.
  • Take professional responsibility for a well-defined component or aspect of a large software-development project.
Literature

Notes

You must be enrolled in the MSc programme in Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen.
It is recommended that you have passed all the mandatory courses in the first year of the MSc programme before taking DADIU (i.e. AP, AADS, ML and ACS).
Mixture of lectures and group work.
Part of the activities take place off-campus at various locations in Copenhagen.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Lectures
  • 60
  • Practical exercises
  • 60
  • Preparation
  • 240
  • Project work
  • 464
  • Total
  • 824
Oral
Continuous feedback during the course of the semester
Peer feedback (Students give each other feedback)

Examples of feedback in DADIU:

  • Process evaluation – approximately once a week in relation to a task. This type of feedback is non-technical.
  • Peer reviews – part of the competence development students will conduct peer-review of each other’s code. This is technical feedback.
  • Evaluation of content– at the end of DADIU the programmers will meet an experienced game industry programmer who will evaluate the process and technical solutions.
Credit
30 ECTS
Type of assessment
Continuous assessment
Continuous assessment based on mandatory activities and 1-3 assignments, together with an individual final report and oral presentation.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
Several internal examiners
Re-exam

Resubmission of assignments and/or final report, possibly supplemented by additional implementation work.

Criteria for exam assesment

See Learning Outcome.