This assignment is a combination of a reading assignment and a “writing assignment.” The assignment is due on Monday 9/24 before noon.

There is a diversity of background in graphics in the class. Part of the goal of this assignment is to give you a chance to do a little self-assessment, and for us to get some basic concepts.

The problem is that I have no good, up-to-date, survey of graphics technologies. So I will settle for one of those two (good, but not up-to-date). However, the main lessons of the article are timeless. You just need to beware the stuff that is out of date (it’s from 2006 and says things like “Windows 7 is coming soon” – although it doesn’t even call it Windows 7).

So, I’d like you to read the following article:

An introductory tour of interactive rendering, by Eric Haines. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, January 2006. (IEEE explore link) (course reader) (author’s unofficial version).

Try to ignore the stuff that is obviously out of date (e.g. Microsoft Avalon and Longhorn and coming soon), and in general, the details are less important. I am less concerned that you see the details of the specific methods, but rather the general challenges and the kinds of strategies used to address them.

When reading through the article, I would like you to:

1. Make a list of the big themes (challenges and solutions) that you think are timeless.
2. Make a list of the words and concepts that you are unfamiliar with.
3. Make a list of the things that sound interesting and you’d like to learn more about. (if there are graphics topics that are not in the article that you are aware of, you can add them to the list as well)
4. Make a list of the things you can spot that are out of date.

Depending on your graphics background, you will have different amounts of 2,3 and 4. If you’re a pro, you’ll probably have a longer list for #4. If your graphics background isn’t so great, you’ll have a long list for #2.

Please send your lists for #2 and #3 to the TA by email (that way you don’t have to admit all the things you don’t know). Please do this before noon on Monday, September 24th. Mark will compile the lists and get them to me so I can use them to plan the lectures for Tuesday and Thursday. The odd Monday deadline is necessary to get the info together in time to impact lectures.

Please put the answers to 1,3, and 4 in a post in the Assignment 3 section of the forum. (you can include your answers to #2 as well).

Mark’s email: mdhillon AT cs DOT wisc

In class on Thursday, September 13th, we’ll discuss the question “What is a Game?” Along with this there are some other terms we’ll try to figure out (what is fun? what is a toy?)

To help you prepare for that conversation, there are lots of things you could read. One I think is essential – but it’s the third chapter of a book, that only makes sense after you’ve read chapter 2 (which is best after you’ve read chapter 1). The second is a summary of the definitions that a lot of other people have given. So, ultimately this turns into a lot of reading (1-3 book chapters and a paper). Plus there are other good things as well.

The required readings (read before class on 9/13):

1. Chapter 3 “The Experience Rises Out of a Game”, from Jesse Schell’s The Art of Game Design. Chapter 3 is required, but it pretty much requires you to read Chapter 2 first (so that is “somewhat required”). But Chapter 2 makes some reference to Chapter 1 (so chapter 1 is “recommended”). Either way, the whole book is (online @ UW library) and the chapters are in the protected reader (Ch1 Ch2 Ch3).
2. “THE GAME, THE PLAYER, THE WORLD: LOOKING FOR A HEART OF GAMENESS” by Jesper Juul. LevelUp Conference Proceedings. A bit more academic, but gives lots of different perspectives. It’s a little redundant after Schell, so give it a quicker read. (official online) (protected reader)

After doing these readings, and before class, I want you to think about your experiences with games and how they relate to what you’ve read. That leads to Assignment 1.

For this reading assignment, you should read some things to help you get started on the project.There is no hard deadline for this reading, this is more of a reminder to get you going on reading.

1. Read something about Javascript. Even if you’re an experienced JS programmer, you can always learn more. You might get some ideas in the forum, or on the web, or … I strongly recommend reading some of Javascript: The Good Parts.
2. Read something about Flocking. Start with my old web page, then pick some reading beyond that (some are mentioned there). There’s a huge list of potential things to read at Craig Reynolds’ page (most are old).

There is no required thing to do with what you’ve read, but if you have found something good, please share it with the class in the forum! (even if its to give a thumbs up to something that’s already been posted).