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Unity as a University Module

Discussion in 'Community Learning & Teaching' started by graham, Mar 31, 2007.

  1. graham

    graham

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2006
    Posts:
    14
    I'm in the process of designing a new computer gaming module for a university degree, and I want (surprise, surprise), to use Unity.

    The purpose of the module is to provide first year students with an easy and fun way to try out all the concepts involved in making a game.

    I'd like to ask the Unity community what they think should be involved in Unity course? A university module in the UK is 12 weeks long, and each week there will be a 1 hour lecture and 2 hours of lab tutorials.

    Can we start filling in the blanks:
    Week 1: Introduction to Unity (IDE, basic concepts)
    Week 2:
    Week 3:
    Week 4:
    Week 5:
    Week 6:
    Week 7:
    Week 8:
    Week 9:
    Week 10:
    Week 11:
    Week 12:

    I'm hoping that university students and lecturers will provide input, so that the module reflects what everyone thinks is desirable. Perhaps even a professional game developer might even say a few words?

    Once I've written the documentation, I'll be happy to make them available to the community. Likewise, if anyone wants to help contribute to the module (gfx, code, other), please do get in contact (graham.mcallister@mac.com).

    Thanks for the feedback.

    Graham.
     
  2. dan

    dan

    Joined:
    Jul 22, 2005
    Posts:
    151
    I'd suggest just starting with some of the tutorials included with Unity (Marble/Racing/FPS). Maybe create a puzzle game tutorial of some type to throw in there, nothing extraordinary maybe just tic-tac-toe or othello (first two human players and then create a computer opponent).

    Covering these in with good detail would give them a good introduction to a variety of topics, although probably not everything they'd need. You can always expand and supplement the tutorials by adding little things (keeping score, winning and losing conditions, expand the AI, etc).


    In the last 3-4 weeks you could do a kind of "putting it all together" where as a class they come up with a game idea (or a couple of ideas) and then they're challenged to make them happen as a final project. You should encourage them to take what they know and figure out how to adapt it to new situations, but you'd still have the lectures to explain any important topics that they may not have encountered yet.
     
  3. bugfrog

    bugfrog

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2007
    Posts:
    5
    G,

    Any progress on the 12 week outline? I am considering developing a program for a community college with a similar outline.

    bg
     
  4. graham

    graham

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2006
    Posts:
    14
    The 12 week plan wasn't taken any further as I moved University. There's potential I might do something in my new place, but time will tell.

    Let me know how you get on.
     
  5. curly01

    curly01

    Joined:
    Nov 5, 2007
    Posts:
    6
    Hi,

    There's this wonderfull American Institution called Digipen. They are specialised in 3D training. I've once seen a webcast from them. They also offer online training. Now here's my point. Not everyone can spend 12 weeks on training. Especially not if you're working. So here are my suggestions:
    1) You could make a summer course from about 1 week training in the Unity engine.
    2)You could make an online training university. Where people can buy (for a reasonable price of course) the online training.

    I think that's a much better way then designing a 12 week course. (When I go to my local Randstad office they won't hire me because I know something about game programming. I hope I made my point. It's not yet an industrie in every country. At least not in Belgium.)

    http://www.gameinstitute.com/

    http://www.digipen.edu/main/Main_Page
     
  6. bugfrog

    bugfrog

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2007
    Posts:
    5
    Good points. A faster, more intense course and online tutorials would be good to have, and fun to make.

    I have been thinking about a 12 week because a community college I go to/work with might be interested in adding a game development course that Unity might work well with.

    Thanks for the suggestions!

    bg