The project will progress in a series of 2 week Sprints throughout the quarter. There is an alpha release, release candidate 1 and a final release at the end of weeks 4 8, and 10.
Sprint 1: Weeks 1 & 2 : March 28-April 8
Sprint 2: Weeks 3 & 4 : April 9-22
Alpha Release: April 22
Sprint 3: Weeks 5 & 6 : April 23-May 6
Trailer storyboard: week 5
Initial draft of press kit: week 6
Playtest event week 5.
Sprint 4: Weeks 7 & 8 : May 7-20
Initial draft of trailer, updated website: week 7
Release candidate 1: May 20
Sprint 5: Week 9 & 10 : May 21-June 3
Revised trailer: week 9
Send out press materials: week 9
Final release: June 3
Sprint plans are due by the end of the day on the first Monday after the start of a Sprint (March 28, April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23). Sprint reports are due on the day after the end of a Sprint (by the end of that day). Release plans are due at the start of the first sprint in the release (March 28, April 25, May 23).
A public festival-like live demonstration of your games will occur on either Friday, June 3 or Saturday, June 4. The Sammy Awards presentation of games will take place Friday, June 10 (end of finals week). Students are expected to participate in both events (festival and presentation).
The following topics will be covered during lecture classes.
Week 1: March 29: Course overview / Tutorial Design
Week 2: April 5: Having games communicate to players / polish effects / splash screen, icons and menus
Week 3: April 12: Use of particle systems for visual polish
Week 4: April 19: Game trailers
Week 5: April 26: Game press kits
Week 6: May 3: Game menus
Week 7: May 10: TBD
Week 8: May 17: TBD
Week 9: May 24: TBD
Week 10: May 31 & June 2 : Sammy Award presentation practice / Festival logistics
Topics for weeks 7-9 will adapt to cover topics of interest/need.