Semester Schedule
The schedule will be flexible as we cover each topic. We might spend some extra time on topics, so we will update the schedule as we progress through the semester.
| Mtg | Date | Topic | Deadlines |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mon | 01/12/2026 | History of the Game Industry | |
| Wed | 01/14/2026 | History, What is a game? Readings & Resources: What is a game? - McGonigal Ch.1 (Canvas) | |
| Fri | 01/16/2026 | What is a game? Readings & Resources: What is a game? - McGonigal Ch.1 (Canvas) | |
| 01/19/2026 | MLK Holiday | ||
| Wed | 01/21/2026 | Game Design Kits Lab | |
| Fri | 01/23/2026 | Game Design Kits Lab (play time!) Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics Readings & Resources: MDA Paper - MDA | |
| Mon | 01/26/2026 | Snow Day Gaming Readings & Resources: Fullerton Ch.2 - Extra Credits Video | Add deadline |
| Wed | 01/28/2026 | Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics Formal Elements of Games Readings & Resources: Fullerton Ch.2 | |
| Fri | 01/30/2026 | Formal Elements of Games Readings & Resources: Fullerton Ch.3 | |
| Mon | 02/02/2026 | The Game Loop | |
| Wed | 02/04/2026 | The Game Loop, PICO-8 | |
| Fri | 02/06/2026 | PICO-8, Procedures vs Rules | Critical Analysis 1 (I) |
| Mon | 02/09/2026 | Procedures v Rules, Sprite Graphics | |
| Wed | 02/11/2026 | Sprite Graphics | |
| Fri | 02/13/2026 | Physics | |
| Mon | 02/16/2026 | Collision Detection Readings & Resources: SF2 Hit Boxes | |
| Wed | 02/18/2026 | PICO-8 Work Day | |
| Fri | 02/20/2026 | Godot | Critical Analysis 2 (I) |
| Mon | 02/23/2026 | Collision Detection | Drop deadline |
| 02/25/2026 | Mini-Boss Battle (Midterm) | ||
| Fri | 02/27/2026 | Let's play! (gaming / fun day) | PICO-8 Game Jam Game (I) |
| 03/02/2026 | Spring Break | ||
| 03/04/2026 | Spring Break | ||
| 03/06/2026 | Spring Break | ||
| Mon | 03/09/2026 | Game Architectures, Game AI | |
| Wed | 03/11/2026 | Game AI | Withdraw deadline |
| Fri | 03/13/2026 | Game Ideas | |
| Mon | 03/16/2026 | Game AI, Pathfinding | Team Declaration (T) |
| Wed | 03/18/2026 | World Building Readings & Resources: Extra Credits: The Magic Circle | |
| Fri | 03/20/2026 | World Building | |
| Mon | 03/23/2026 | Flex Day | Game Design Document (T) |
| Wed | 03/25/2026 | Prototyping Readings & Resources: Fullerton Ch.7 | |
| Fri | 03/27/2026 | Prototyping/Physical Prototypes | |
| Mon | 03/30/2026 | The Quiet Year Readings & Resources: Extra Credits: Board Games | |
| Wed | 04/01/2026 | The Quiet Year (part 2) | |
| Fri | 04/03/2026 | Physical Prototype Demos | Physical Prototype (T) by class |
| Mon | 04/06/2026 | Character Design Readings & Resources: Extra Credits: Myers Briggs | |
| Wed | 04/08/2026 | Character and Level Design Readings & Resources: Devs Play Doom | |
| Fri | 04/10/2026 | Level Design Readings & Resources: Devs Play Doom - Nintendo Power Magazine | Godot Game Jam Game (I) |
| Mon | 04/13/2026 | Level Design Readings & Resources: SMB 1-1 | |
| Wed | 04/15/2026 | Game Balancing Readings & Resources: Extra Credits: Perfect Imbalance | |
| Fri | 04/17/2026 | Game Balancing Readings & Resources: Extra Credits: First Moves | |
| Mon | 04/20/2026 | Playtesting | |
| Wed | 04/22/2026 | Playtesting in Class | Working Game Demo (T) by class |
| Fri | 04/24/2026 | Flex Day | |
| Mon | 04/27/2026 | Game Expo | Final Team Game (T) by class |
| 04/30/2026 | Final Boss Battle (Final Exam) 9am-12pm |