FIT2097 - Games programming 2 - 2019

This unit will further develop games development programming skills with the C++ language, and explore them further in the Games Programming context. Focus will be on advanced games programming techniques, including a focus on the content pipeline, advanced rendering and visual game effects. Principles will also be placed into the context of different libraries, such as OpenGL, and other platforms, such as mobile. This provides a strong grounding for further study in this area, especially related to games engine development and artificial intelligence.

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. describe the content pipeline as used in computer game development and why it is important;
2. create game programs that demonstrate an understanding and working knowledge of advanced rendering principles, such as shaders;
3. create game programs that demonstrate a working knowledge of advanced visual game effects, such as particle and physics systems;
4. describe how key game programming principles can be applied to games developed with other libraries (such as OpenGL) and for other platforms (such as mobile), and create game prototypes that demonstrate this;
5. describe key performance and optimisation principles of computer game programming and create game programs that demonstrate these principles.

NOTE: From 1 July 2019, the duration of all exams is changing to combine reading and writing time. The new exam duration for this unit is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

Examination (2 hours): 50%; In-semester assessment: 50%

Minimum total expected workload equals 12 hours per week comprising:

1. Contact hours for on-campus students:
   • Two hours lectures
   • Two hours laboratories
2. Additional requirements (all students):
   • A minimum of 2-3 hours of personal study per one hour of lecture time in order to satisfy the reading, tute, prac and assignment expectations.

See also Unit timetable information

Games development