CS 460: Interactive Graphics and Games
Assignment 1: The Pitch

Synopsis: Go to the class forum and post an idea for a game that you would like to work on, and also post your thoughts on the game concepts that have been posted.  We will form groups around the best game ideas that emerge from this discussion.

Due: Wednesday, February 9, 2005

Description: Think about what kind of game you'd like work on: genre, visual theme, storyline, particular special effects you'd like to implement.  Then go and sell your idea to the class via the discussion forum, e.g.: "I've always wanted to make a 3D update of that classic arcade game, Ms. Pac Man.  Who's with me?!?" or "I want to make a real-time strategy game: Penguins vs. Polarbears.  Think about the cool white-on-white visuals you could have with all that snow!  Plus I've been dying to write a good fur shader..." or "Curling 2005 by E.A. Sports -- 'Nuff said."  Whatever turns you on.  In addition to posting your own ideas, discuss ideas posted by other students.  Try not to be so attached to your own ideas that you aren't willing to consider game concepts from other sources.  I will be contributing to this discussion as well, weighing in if we think an idea is too ambitious or doesn't fit the course focus on 3D real-time graphics.  I hope to get an active discussion going, a sort of class-wide brainstorming session from which some clear winners will emerge that we can build groups around. 

Requirements: Any and all game ideas are welcome, with a couple of caveats:

  1. All game ideas should be be more-or-less PG rated: nothing that I couldn’t show to prospective students and their parents. This is motivated by pragmatic reasons: I want to show your work far and wide to advertise the class, the students, and JHU, without being fired or sued or burned at the stake. If you have valid artistic reasons to include potentially questionable content, we can talk about it.
  2. Game concepts should showcase real-time 3D rendering of complex scenes.  2D side-scrollers and falling-blocks puzzle games probably don't qualify, and if you propose a turn-based tiled strategy game you should take care to describe how your design will emphasize 3D aspects.  That said, don't be afraid to propose something new and different; a game that departs from the traditional genres could be a truly fun and interesting project.  If you have an idea but aren't sure how to cast it in a way that is appropriate for the class, post it on the forum and we can talk about it.

Grading: You won't get an explicit grade for this assignment, though it will affect your participation grade in a general way.  Nonetheless, you should take it seriously; the ideas that get floated over the course of these discussions may well turn into your semester-long soul-eating all-consuming project.