Computer Science (COMP) 486
Mobile and Internet Game Development (Revision 1)
Revision 1 is closed for registrations, replaced by current version
Delivery Mode: Individualized study online
Credits: 3
Area of Study: Science
Prerequisite: Professor approval
Faculty: Faculty of Science and Technology
Centre: School of Computing and Information Systems
COMP 486 is not available for challenge.
**Note: Students who are concerned about not meeting the prerequisites for this course are encouraged to contact the course coordinator before registering
Overview
This course teaches the fundamental programming skills needed to create games for both mobile devices and the Internet. In the first half of the course, students will learn how to develop simple interactive games with Java ME and mobile device emulators. In the second half, students will learn how to use ActionScript to develop multimedia-enriched games with Flash for the Internet.
There are three assignments (Tutor Marked Exercises) in this course. For the first two, students will implement simple games with Java ME and ActionScript respectively. The last TME asks students to design and develop a role-play game(RPG), adventure game, or a turn-based strategy game, using the programming languages they’ve learned in this course. After completing this course, students will have good examples of their experience and abilities in game development to include in their portfolios.
This course teaches ActionScript 3.0 which is the core language that Adobe Flash uses. The ActionScript version is independent from Adobe Flash version and both Adobe Flash CS4 and CS5 (and even CS3) use ActionScript 3.0. So the Adobe Flash version difference actually doesn't matter to students in flash game development. However, currently Adobe only provides 30 days trial version download online, so students may need to purchase their own license in case that they need more time in finishing TME-2 and/or choose to develop Flash game for their TME-3. Adobe has student/teacher edition, students may check it on Adobe's website.
Outline
Part I: Mobile Game Development
- Unit 1: Getting Started with Java ME and MID
- Unit 2: Basics of Java ME API, Record Management System (RMS), and User Interfaces
- Unit 3: User Interface Classes in the MIDP
- Unit 4: Game API and Canvas
- Unit 5: The Mobile Game
Part II: Internet Game Development
- Unit 6: Flash and ActionScript Game Programming
- Unit 7: Game Development
- Unit 8: Animations and Game Math
- Unit 9: Arrays and Loops in Flash
- Unit 10: Flash Games
Evaluation
To receive credit for COMP 486, you must achieve a course composite grade of at least C- (60%), with an average grade of at least 65% on the assignments and an average grade of at least 50% on the presentation and discussion. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| TME 1 | TME 2 | TME 3 | Online Presentation | Discussion | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 15% | 40% | 10% | 20% | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.
Course Materials
Textbooks
Martin J. Wells and John P. Flynt. Java ME Game Programming, 2nd Ed. Boston: Muska and Lipman/Premier-Trade, 2007. (electronic book can be accessed via AU Library)
Hamsa Suri and Lakshmi Prayaga. Beginning Game Programming with Flash. Boston: Muska and Lipman/Premier-Trade, 2007.
(electronic book can be accessed via AU Library)
Other Materials
The remainder of the learning materials for COMP 486 is distributed in electronic format. At this time, those materials include:
- The course Study Guide.
- Detailed descriptions of the requirements for the individual tutor-marked assignments.
- A course evaluation form.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.
Opened in Revision 1, July 19, 2010.