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Garrett Eastman

Bridging Game-Programming into theK-12 Curriculum - 1 views

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    From the abstract: "this study investigated how the perspectives of the non-computer science educators changed after learning game-programming and how it could be fitted into the K-12 curriculum. Fourteen non-computer science educators and/or administrators in the K - 16 educational systems who made up a cohort at Sam Houston State University, Master of Education/Instructional Technology Program participated in this study. The participants were required to learn two free Web 2.0 game-programming applications and reflect on an article related to reviving interest in math and science as part of their program. Qualitative data consisted of online reflections, and peer-review processes through Facebook. A quantitative component was added to the analysis. The findings indicated that: (a) the perspectives of the participants changed from negative to positive as they reflected on their own game-programming learning experiences; (b) participants came to understand how game programming could build up students' logical concepts and critical thinking skills improving performances in math, science, and other subjects; and (c) due to the benefits of logical concepts and critical thinking skills game programming could have immense benefits if built into the K-12 curriculum."
Garrett Eastman

Game Design as a Game - 0 views

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    Abstract: "The software engineering process for games has enough special structure that it can be formulated as a kind of game itself. This, in turn, p ermits the teaching of game construction in a unique way with new potential to motivate students. We present a new game design client program for an existing collaborative problem-solving website known as CoSolve. The client was built with an emphasis on increased interaction and fine control over a problem's state. With this comes the opportunity to more easily design and test games in the CoSolve space. It is our hope that this will teach and inspire student users to learn more about game design, problem posing, and programming in general."
Garrett Eastman

A Cross-disciplinary Approach to Degree Programs in Video Games - 0 views

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    Abstract: "Macquarie University, in 2012, introduced two undergraduate coursework programs in the area of video games. These programs are a joint initiative of the Departments of Computing and Media, Music, Communication and Cultural Studies. The programs represent an innovative approach to curriculum structure in this area, combining technical, design and reflective critical practice to produce rounded graduates with a wide knowledge of issues and practices in interactive media. This paper describes the process of designing these programs, the aims and rationales guiding their design and their detailed structure. The central guiding principle behind the programs was that accomplished designers of interactive media, particularly video games, need both a sound technical background and an appreciation of the relationship between users, society and their designs. This is reflected in both the structure of the programs and the pedagogical approaches in the specialist units."
Garrett Eastman

Super Fish Quest: A Video Game - 1 views

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    "Video game design isn't just coding and random number generators. It is a complex process involving art, music, writing, programming, and caffeine, that should be approached holistically. The entire process can be intimidating to the uninitiated programmer, which is why I've written an all-inclusive guide to game design. With the creation of my own original video game, Super Fish Quest, as a model, I analyze each part of the design process, discuss the technical side of programming, and research how to raise money and publish a game as an independent game developer."
Garrett Eastman

An Online Multiplayer Game for Collaborative Problem Solving - 0 views

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    Abstract: "Teaching computer programming to novices has always posed a major challenge to educators, most novices acquire basic programming skills but they are unable to utilize them in a meaningful way to solve many of the non-routine problems which are presented to them. As a result, they do not achieve any level of programming fluency. Collaboration has been identified as a useful tool to help overcome this problem if utilized at the right times during the programming/problem solving process. This paper presents a review of computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) concepts, collaboration in programming and the problem solving domain. Finally, a design for a gaming application of CSCL (COPS) to help improve the problem solving ability of novice programmers is presented."
Garrett Eastman

Academic Game Development: Practices and Design Strategies for Creating STEM Games - 0 views

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    from the abstract: "The Meta!Blast project was developed to provide a medium that lends itself to the com- prehension of cell and metabolic biology by placing the student into a virtual plant cell and allowing them to experience plant biology rst-hand (Wurtele, 2011). By taking advantage of existing agile development methodologies, Meta!Blast has been designed to meet many of the challenges of developing video games in an academic environment. Using a special editor, educators and researchers can also modify in-game content in an e ort to tailor the game to their speci c curriculum needs. Due to the massive, explorative environment in which the game places players, Meta!Blast provides an ideal environment for a variety of other STEM-related mini-games. By leveraging existing methods of current software used to teach computer science, the initial development stage of a mini-game within Meta!Blast called TALUS (Technology Assisted Learning Using Sandbox) has been designed to let players experience di erent computer programming con- ix cepts. The rst iteration has shown that an environment can be created that allows players to interact with actual computer code in a fail-safe and non-violent manner; furthermore, it has the potential to augment a player's existing knowledge of computer programming."
Garrett Eastman

ScriptEase II and Platform Independent Story Creation Using High-Level Game Design Patt... - 0 views

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    Abstract: "As the video game industry grows, both developers and cre- ative authors are seeking new ways to convert story content into scripting code, which is often a difficult process dur- ing game creation. ScriptEase II provides a solution to this common bottleneck in the games design process. Although the goals are similar to the goals of ScriptEase, ScriptEase II is able to generate code for any game engine with a provided translator. It utilizes high-level game design patterns such as cause-effect and quest patterns which can be abstracted between most games. In addition, ScriptEase II further en- hances the use of these patterns with a simple drag-and-drop interface. The generality of the code generation has been tested using two different game engines, and it can be used to further test the benefits of using high-level game design patterns in content creation."
Garrett Eastman

Programming 2D Games - 0 views

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    "A First Course in Game ProgrammingMost of today's commercial games are written in C++ and are created using a game engine. Addressing both of these key elements, Programming 2D Gamesprovides a complete, up-to-date introduction to game programming. All of the code in the book was carefully crafted using C++."
Garrett Eastman

Foundation Game Design with HTML5 and JavaScript - 0 views

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    Excerpts in Google Books. "Foundation Game Design with HTML5 and JavaScript teaches you everything you need to know about how to make video games. If you've never done any programming before and don't know where to start, this book will show you how to make games from start to finish. You'll learn all the latest programming technologies (HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript) to create your games. All written in a fun and friendly style with open-ended projects that encourage you to build your own original games."
Garrett Eastman

PlayAffect: A Developer API for Creating Affective Video Games Using Physiological and ... - 0 views

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    Abstract: "Herein is proposed the creation of an Application Program- ming Interface (API) for the Unity 3 and 4 video game de- velopment engine that not only reads behavioral measures from traditional video game input devices (such as if there has been an increase in mouse movements and clicks) but also takes into account physiological measures from biomet- ric devices (such as an increase in respiratory rate). The API parses these inputs based on study results that correlated player performance and engagement with physio- logical signs across several di erent game genres. Through the use of several rudimentary machine learning algorithms, raw physiological data is transformed into data relevant to a developer, including player engagement. The results of these calculations allow a game designer to have powerful tools for detecting when players experience certain emotions, and al- low for the design of a ective games. Furthermore, the API also exposes the raw data to de- velopers wishing to propose and utilize their own learning algorithms, to allow for a rich development environment for developers of all skill levels. These development tools will enrich the game experience for the player, as well as prepare designers for the use of the next wave of non-traditional in- put hardware. This report serves to illustrate the current status of the API. A brief overview of the signi cance of galvonic skin re- sponse (GSR), heart rate (HR), and respiratory rate (RR) in detecting player performance and engagement will be fol- lowed by a discussion of the API itself and the design choices therein."
Garrett Eastman

A Design Pattern Language for Oldschool Action Games - 0 views

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    Abstract: "This article discusses the application of an Alexandrian pattern language to the design of interactive systems. It grew out of an University course titled A Pattern Approach to Action Game Design, which was offered as an elective in the Creative Technologies program at Auckland University of Technology, NZ, in 2011. We sketch out the idea of design patterns and describe our experiences with the process of using them for designing oldschool action games, that is, finding patterns, making a language, using it for creating several game designs and realizing one of these designs collaboratively. We discuss the concept of the course and present our pattern language and the game we made. While the language is arguably more like a patchy pattern collection, the various game designs quite loose and the realized game unfinished, the process was challenging and intense, and offered students a new perspective on design. In the spirit of design patterns, we only did what the task at hand required, not artificial exercises. We attempted to connect theory and practice in a natural, direct way as we presented, discussed and used everything we did in order to continue our journey. Our course was not aimed at fixed or frozen products, but on a process that is constantly in flux through collaboration by people who interact and share a common pattern language, use, test, revise and refine it while moving on."
Garrett Eastman

Rapid Digital Game Creation for Learning Object-Oriented Concepts - 1 views

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    "This article is about the learning that occurs from making games, rather than from playing games. In this paper, we describe the use of Rapid Digital Game Creation (RDGC) for learning and teaching Object-Oriented (O-O) concepts. RDGC involves the rapid building of digital games with high-level software that requires little or no programming knowledge. We examine how RDGC supports the understanding of various O-O concepts. Using a theoretical framework of constructionism, we discuss pedagogical guidelines for RDGC-based learning. We suggest that RDGC is a useful pedagogic tool that complements formal programming languages and can help flatten the steep learning curve needed to learn O-O computer programming (or OOP)."
Garrett Eastman

Tic Tac Node (Part III) - Putting it all together node.js + socket.io + backbone.js - 0 views

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    "In the first two parts i and ii of this series, I put together an initial model for node.js multiplayer tic-tac-toe game then bolted in a backbone.js controller framework, which allows clients to Backbone.Model.sync model states to backing server. This post completes the game implementation by adding asynchronous plumbing for synchronizing game state amongst game clients."
Garrett Eastman

Austin Community College's video game program grows into key feeder for industry - 0 views

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    "In a recent class, Austin Community College student Richard Moss showed off his group's project: a demo of a submarine video game called "Treasures of Atlantis." It was the end of the semester for a combined class of about 14 game designers and as many artists enrolled in ACC's Game Development Institute."
Garrett Eastman

Solving the Balance Problem of On-Line Role-Playing Games Using Evolutionary Algorithms - 1 views

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    Abstract: "In on-line role-playing games (RPG), each race holds some attributes and skills. Each skill contains several abilities such as physical damage, hit rate, etc. Parts of the attributes and all the abilities are a function of the character's level, which are called Ability-Increasing Functions (AIFs). A well-balanced on-line RPG is characterized by having a set of well-balanced AIFs. In this paper, we propose an evolutionary design method, including integration with an improved Probabilistic Incremental Program Evolution (PIPE) and a Cooperative Coevolutionary Algorithm (CCEA), for on-line RPGs to maintain the game balance. Moreover, we construct a simplest turn-based game model and perform a series of experiments based on it. The results indicate that the proposed method is able to obtain a set of well-balanced AIFs effi-ciently. They also show that in this case the CCEA outperforms the simple genetic algorithm, and that the capability of PIPE has been significantly improved through the improvement work."
Garrett Eastman

Modular Digital Game System: An experiment in game design platforms - 0 views

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    "This project created an Application Programming Interface (API) for a simulated modular digital game system. Each module consists of a triangle that displays colors at the center and edges, monitors an input and signals from the surrounding modules, and communicates with a computer controller. The API allows users to develop game programs for the system. The simulation runs the game files and displays the results. The focus was on practical coding and design of an instructional game system. The challenges in creating such a system provided a valuable learning environment for us in the areas of user interface design, system tool management and design, human computer interaction, and designing educational platforms"
Garrett Eastman

Movers and Shakers : Conversation and Conflict in a Serious Game for Tablets - 0 views

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    Abstract: "Movers and Shakers is a tablet - based serious game that explores how subversive game design can foster meaningful conversational conflict beyond outside the game's digital screens . This two - player strategy puzzle was developed at the Singapore - MIT GAMBIT Game Lab and is used as a research tool to ex plore novel challenges in multi player serious games. The project provides insights into the affordances and challenges of mobile serious games for co - located players."
Garrett Eastman

BINX: An XNA/XBox 360 Educational Game for Electrical and Computer Engineers - 0 views

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    abstract: "This work focuses on the design and implementation of an educational game for deployment on the Xbox 360 commercial game console. Video games can be extremely powerful and effective learning tools when deployed with methodical precision. Currently, no learning tools are available for commercial consoles that focus on teaching core concepts in Engineering. This work presents an overall design for an educational game to address Number Systems in the scope of the Electrical and Computer Engineering curricula. BINX is an educational adventure game designed to address Number Systems and their arithmetic operations in Digital Logic Design, a core course is Electrical and Computer Engineering programs. Object Oriented Design Principles were used in the development of this game. This work presents one sublevel implemented using the XNA framework - a Microsoft Software Development Kit (SDK).The BINX gameplay takes place inside a computer where a malicious virus is threatening the computer's operability. The player has to find the virus and eradicate it by disconnecting the terminals of the graphics processor. The player has the opportunity to practice before taking on the Boss Challenge. In the practice phase, the player practices number conversions without fear of penalties. In the Challenge phase, the player is timed and has to perform the number conversions before the allotted time expires. The combination of practice and challenge provides players with the ability to practice number conversions and, when ready, to take on the challenge task where assessment is conducted to provide the player with the knowledge of how well he/she has performed on the challenge. The number conversion level of BINX was implemented and formally evaluated showing improvement in student scores after using BINX."
Garrett Eastman

Designing and Creating a Game Engine for Use in the Classroom - 0 views

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    Abstract: "This paper describes the creation of a 2D game engine, the ULL Introductory Game Engine (UIGE), for use in an introductory video game programming course as part of an undergraduate computer science curriculum. Having the right tools available can make illustrating the concepts of game development and design substantially easier. In creating the engine, a number of factors such as ease of use and accessibility, were considered. Furthermore, course instructors must determine how much assistance (in the form of tools for the engine) is too much assistance, as students may miss core principles if development with the engine is made too abstract. Successful implementation of tools like UIGE allow students to produce games quickly and the concepts of game development to be taught more effectively."
Garrett Eastman

The Ultimate IMGD Booth at PAX East 2013 - 0 views

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    Abstract: "Promoting WPI's Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) program at a major indus try trade show has the potential to attract new prospective students and broaden industry awareness of the IMGD program and students. This project designed a booth for PAX East, a popular gaming exposition in New England. We conducted interviews of student s, guidance counselors, and booth experts, and selected appropriate projects to showcase and students to showcase them. We then designed an advertisement, handouts, and an inviting layout for the booth, arranging for the necessary equipment and furniture w ithin the budget constraints. The IMGD PAX East booth promises to increase the awareness of the IMGD program, exposing more people to the game development students and program at WPI."
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