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The world of computer game development has transformed significantly, evolving from small, single-person projects in the 1980s to large, collaborative efforts involving dozens or hundreds of developers. This dynamic industry boasts various facets, including experience design, programming, artwork, sound engineering, and rigorous testing. The average budget ranges from $20 million to $40 million, yet most games struggle to turn a profit. With the rise of mobile casual games and accessible tools like Unity3D, both indie developers and major studios navigate the complexities of game creation, striving to engage audiences.
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CS 352: Computer Graphics Game Development
Computer Games • Value of games? • Designed experience • Science of engagement • Popular cultural medium • Big business
Game Development • Many aspects: • Experience design—UI, gameplay, narrative • Cinematics • Artwork—3D modeling, surfacing, lighting, environment, animations, sound • Programming—graphics, UI, physics, AI, networking, game tools • Level design • Sound engineering • Testing • Maintenance (bug fixing, adding levels and features)
Game Development • Budget typically $20 million, as high as $40 million • Most games don’t make a profit • Small indie companies spring up and die out frequently • High expectations • 1980s: a single programmer might do a game • Now, dozens or hundreds of people might be involved • Still, it’s possible for individuals or small teams to do small games (World of Goo – 2 people) • Mobile games are changing the industry
Casual Games • Unity Technologies says: • Casual games: a growth segment • 1-3 developers, 3-9 months • A casual game can make $100,000 or more
Software for Game Development • Game engine, physics engine • Level design • 3D Modeling • Animation • Image, audio, video processing • Asset management • Now there is a secondary market for game engines, physics engines, tools, models, animations, etc. making development easier
Working in the Game Industry • Horror stories • Gaming Industry – Do not want • 7 reasons you don’t want to . . . • E.A. Spouse
Unity3D • Popular commercial game engine • Initial release in 2006 • Cross platform • Freeware license with 80% of functionality in 2009 disrupts game engine market
Unity3D demo • Scene: all objects, graphical • Hierarchy: all objects, list • Project: file structure • Inspector: detailed view of current object • Game view • Layouts • Navigation (F-frame) • Inspector • Parenting
Workshop: Open Source and FreewareSoftware for Game Development