This course will explore the algorithms, data structures, and tricks used
to program computer video games. We will be programming in Java and
focussing on arcade-style video games (new and "classic") rather than
text-based adventures or strategy games such as chess.
Here is a list of topics for the final exam (which is on Monday, May 7, 1:00PM).
Comments about Loader3D and Assignment #7
As I mentioned in class, the object files will loader better
if you use the version of PropManager.java from the demos/Loader3D
directory. I've also modified the .bat files to overcome a problem
with running them on our lab PC's and I've placed the pig and ship
files in the models directory.
The Loader3D program shows you how to load an object and place it
in a scene graph. Assignment #7 is not just about creating a model - you
need to have a program which loads that model and uses it in a scene
graph involving other shapes, interpolators, etc. For instance, you
might load the pig model and place it under a TransformGroup with
an attached PositionInterpolator to make it go up and down, and so on.
This is a link to a directory of class demos stored by date.
They are not intended to be self-explanatory (although they might
sometimes be), but rather are created as visual aids to the lectures.
I'm making them available here so you can play with them and study
the examples further after class. In other words, I can't imagine how
you would take intelligent notes on some of this stuff, so here are
my "animated notes".
This page contains links to various interesting web sites related
to Computer Game programming.
SECOND EXAM SCREW-UP
My apologies for the sixth question - you were looking at
the wrong source code. Here's the applet
with the correct source code. This
version just prints "You win" rather than a secret code.
SECOND EXAM (On-line exam)
The second exam was on the computer, in class, on
Friday, March 30. Here's
a list of topics,
but you can work out your own - anything we've
studied so far this semester is fair game.
If you want a rough idea of what such an exam is like, here's
the exam
from a couple of years ago. We studied different topics that
year, so some of these questions might not seem familiar.
