Welcome To The Video Game Design and Engineering Home Page

Fall, 2023

INSTRUCTOR:
Michael Hsiao

Office Phone Email

Durham 355 (540) 231-9254 mhsiao_at_vt_dot_edu
CLASS MEETING TIME AND PLACE:
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12:30 - 1:45pm in PAM 2030
OFFICE HOURS:
Michael Hsiao: TBA
PREREQUISITES:
1. Logic Design (Boolean Algebra + Finite State Machines)
2. Data Structures and Algorithms, Applied Software Engineering
3. Basic Trig and Physics
4. Problem Solving and Debugging
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
To address fundamental issues of interactive video game design and development.
LECTURE OUTLINE:
1. Introduction
2. Game loop and architecture
3. Action + interaction
4. Background tilemaps
5. Perspectives and views
6. FSM / State-based design
7. Motion and physics (linear and angular)
8. Modeling intelligent behavior
9. Particle systems
10. Graphs, search, and traversal
11. Fuzzy logic
12. 3D graphics
13. Exams
PROJECTS:
A number of projects will be included, posted on canvas
Final Projects will be displayed for others to play.
OTHER COURSE MATERIALS:
Available on canvas
HONOR CODE:
As members of Virginia Tech, we will not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty. Academic integrity is expected from every student. These include
1. you may discuss homework/project with fellow classmates, but each student must do his/her own work.
2. cheating in programs (copying program segments), on exams, and homework assignments are all considered violations of the honor code.
Students enrolled in this course are responsible for abiding by the Honor Code. A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the course instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Ignorance of the rules does not exclude any member of the University community from the requirements and expectations of the Honor Code.
For additional information about the Honor Code, please visit: https://www.honorsystem.vt.edu/
SPECIAL NEEDS:
Any student with special needs or circumstances should feel free to meet with or otherwise contact the instructor.
1. Disability accommodation: Reasonable accommodations are available for students who have documentation of a disability from a qualified professional. Students should work through Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) at 240 S. Main Street, Suite 300 (Kent Square building on Main Street in downtown Blacksburg). Any student with accommodations through the SSD Office should contact the instructor during the first two weeks of the semester.
2. Religious accommodation: If participation in some part of this class conflicts with your observation of specific religious holidays during the semester, please contact the instructor during the first two weeks of class to make alternative arrangements.
3. Accommodations for medical or personal/family emergencies: If you miss class due to illness, especially in the case of an exam or some deadline, see a professional in Schiffert Health Center. If deemed appropriate, documentation of your illness will be sent to the Dean’s Office for distribution to the instructor. If ----you experience a personal or family emergency that necessitates missing class, contact the Dean of Students at 231-3787 or see them in 109 E. Eggleston Hall.

Office	Phone	Email
Durham 355	(540) 231-9254	mhsiao_at_vt_dot_edu

Go to the ECE Department