Title: Course Materials & Resources
Course: RITA MC - GAME DESIGN > Section: Start Here - Week 1

Course Books, Software and other materials

All text books are OPTIONAL.  Everything you need is available online. IF you prefer to utilize text format, the following options are available for your library:

GameMaker Game Programming with GML Paperback – April 25, 2014 by Matthew DeLucas

ISBN-10: 1783559446   ISBN-13: 978-1783559442

(Dated, uses an older version of the application  -but still a good resource:) The Game Maker's Apprentice: Game Development for Beginners Paperback – October 17, 2007

by Jacob Habgood & Mark Overmars ISBN-10: 1590596153   ISBN-13: 978-1590596159

The Game Maker's Companion (Technology in Action) Paperback – October 17, 2010

by Jacob Habgood, Nana Nielsen & Martin Rijks   ISBN-10: 1430228261ISBN-13: 978-1430228264

Software & Tech Skills specific to this course: Download GameMaker Studio

(latest version)  You may utilize the FREE version to complete this course, but you MUST register and activate your product to gain assets.  Additionally, you may purchase the PRO version and gain even more assets.

Ways and Tools to help you learn in this course:

- Practice with the Tutorials first, then create your OWN version for submission
- A PRACTICUM is required at the end of this course, the work should be suitable for a 2D Game Design for your Graduate Final Portfolio
- Interactive Activities include collaborations on padlets (register now at padlet.com)
- Share and Play test your games with your peers, request feedback from your fellow game designers
- YoYo Game Forums
- YoYo Games Sandbox
- FAQ - See the Get Help discussion.
- Discussion Forums for feedback
- Open Educational Resources -
- Course communication - Remember to communicate via the inbox in CANVAS.  Do NOT directly email your Professor, as your communication may get lost in the SPAM filters, or the influx of daily email.  CANVAS is the best way to communicate with your Professor.  When communicating, use professional communication skills, never use ALL CAPS, show kindness and respect to your class mates.  Utilize the NCTC Online Student Conduct page.
- Office Hours - TBA via the Conferences link in the course menu - by appointment or request.

Learning Materials and Activities

You will utilize the Public Broadcasting Station "Video Game Revolution"  videos and learning modules to review the evolution of the electronic game industry.  Local Students may also opt in for a visit to the Video Game History Museum in Frisco, Texas, to fulfill Course Learning Objective 1.

Downloading Games and Exploring the YoYoGames Game Engine, Forums, and YoYo Games App Store options will provide ample exploration into essential game and simulation elements, and allow you to review strengths, weaknesses and limitations of the Game Engine by looking at other Game Designs, BEFORE creating your own game - providing you fulfillment of Course Objectives 2 and 3. .

Using the YoYo Games Games Tutorial  and User Manual you will fully explore DragNDrop, as well as programming with GML, particle and physics systems and basic concept documents in developing a myriad of 2D games.  The culmination is a PRACTICUM, you will develop, design and create your very own 2D game!

Ways to learn in this course:

- Use the Chapter Review Quizzes for practice or reinforcement of what you learned in readings, videos and discussion forums.
- Summative assessment - This course will evaluate student learning at the end of each module and the course through online exams in Canvas.
  - Your Text, the Quizzes and Homework will be your study guides for Exams
  - The skills are cumulative, they build on one another
  - Each Quiz provides 2 attempts to mastery, and Exam provides 1 attempt
  - Have your reference materials handy during a Quiz and for the Homework assignments
- Peer Learning - Student will give and receive feedback from their peers via the discussion forums as assigned by your instructor.
- Your Instructor
- You can learn through course communication with other students and your instructor. See the NCTC Online Student Conduct page. (Links to an external site.)
- For FAQ in this course, see the Get Help & FAQ.
- Lab Assignments will demonstrate overall course mastery by having you build your games.
  - Manage game assets and resources
  - Work with sprite editing tools
  - How to use parents and inheritance
  - Work with particles, sounds and music
  - Work with physics and backgrounds
  - Defining objects and instances
  - How to debug your games
  - How to monetize your games
  - Work with extensions