Game Engine Review


Lab Image
Today's goal: Analyze game engines and see how they are structured.


Description


In today's lab we will analyze some commercial grade game engines. The criteria is that we have some open source code to look at. I want you to see what "good" design is (or at least design that has gone through several iterations). Your game engines will go through many cycles of revisions!

Your Task(s)

  1. Slides for our half half lecture
  2. Find your partner in the spreadsheet here.
  3. Complete the section below: "Analysis"

Files Given/Starter Code

  • Clicking the following link gives you immediate access to your github repository.
    • You may use your personal or Northeastern github account. I do not care, but please be consistent with what you choose.
    • Please do not click until class starts. Occasionally I make changes until a few minutes before class (usually spelling corrections and other small typos).
    • Click now: Github Repository

1. Analysis


Game Engines

Complete: Analyze and get a simple program up in running in your designated game engine. Your analysis should include a powerpoint or set of notes you can share with the class.

Going Further


Finished Early? Did you enjoy this lab assignment? Here are some (optional) ways to further this assignment.
  • Continue working with your engine to try to build some simple programs.
  • Download Unity3D or Unreal3D and complete a tutorial online. See what tools they have that make game development easier.

Evaluation


  • You and your partner will receive the same grade from a scale of 0-2. (Individual labs you get your own grade)
  • At the start of the next lab I will circulate to check off your lab. You or your partner should be ready to show it.
    • 0 for no work completed.
    • 1 for some work completed, but something is not working properly or missing
    • 2 for a completed assignment (with possible 'going further' options completed)

More Resources


Some additional resources to help you through this lab assignment

Found a bug?


If you found a mistake (big or small, including spelling mistakes) in this lab, kindly send me an e-mail. It is not seen as nitpicky, but appreciated! (Or rather, future generations of students will appreciate it!)
  • Fun fact: The famous computer scientist Donald Knuth would pay folks one $2.56 for errors in his published works. [source]
  • Unfortunately, there is no monetary reward in this course :)