mshah.ioCourse ScheduleCourse Information
Administrivia | Games and Game EnginesGame Genres, Game Applications, and Game LoopsD Language Review and Q&AIntroducing SDL: Dub Setup and SDL BasicsSDL Basics 1: 2D Graphics Basics and FramerateGame Object and Component PatternSprite Animation, Bitmap Fonts, and State MachinesEngine Support Systems 1 - Resource Managers and File SystemsEngine Support Systems 2 - Gameplay Systems & ScriptingGame AudioGame Math 1 - VectorsGame Math 2 - MatricesGame Structure 1 - Scene Tree, Scene Structure, SerializationGame Scene Structure 2 - CameraPutting it all togetherExam -- no classNo ClassNo ClassNo ClassNo ClassTiles and BitsFinal Project Group Activity with Engine StudyPhysics EnginesDevices, GUI, and Command Pattern2D Rendering TechniquesGameplay SystemsSystems programming - Parallelism/ConcurrencyWork day/Flex day and brief intro to SIMDwork day / mini-topic (e.g. profiling code or Fibers) or Reserved for Tentative Industry Guest SpeakersCourse Wrap up and work day


CPSC 411/511 Building Game Engines

Pragmatic and technical game development -- Your Instructor

The full Course Youtube Playlist

Godot Game Engine
Tooling
The Game Loop!
Quick Links | Official class forumPiazza Course Forum | schedule/signupOffice Hours Spreadsheet |

Schedule/Road Map

The following is our tentative syllabus for the course, changes should be expected throughout the semester. I will announce in class, piazza, or through e-mail any major changes.

Week

Date

Lecture and Readings

Problem Sets

Note(s)

1

Tuesday, 2025-Jan-14
PSET 01 Released (Due Jan. 23 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Jan. 30 for up to 90%)
Welcome back to class!

Note: 1st assignment has extra time to accomodate students who add late.

1

Thursday, 2025-Jan-16
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2

Tuesday, 2025-Jan-21
PSET 02 Released (Due Jan. 30 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Feb. 6 for up to 90%)
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2

Thursday, 2025-Jan-23
-- --
Add/Drop Period closes Jan. 22 at 5:00pm ET

3

Tuesday, 2025-Jan-28
PSET 03 Released (Due Feb. 8 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Feb. 15 for up to 90%)
-- --

3

Thursday, 2025-Jan-30
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-- --

4

Tuesday, 2025-Feb-04
PSET 04 Released (Due Feb. 14 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Feb. 21 for up to 90%)
-- --

4

Thursday, 2025-Feb-06
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5

Tuesday, 2025-Feb-11
PSET 05 Released (Due Feb. 23 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Mar. 2 for up to 90%)'
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5

Thursday, 2025-Feb-13
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6

Tuesday, 2025-Feb-18
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6

Thursday, 2025-Feb-20
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7

Tuesday, 2025-Feb-25
PSET 06 Released (Due Mar. 7 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Mar. 14 for up to 90%)'
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7

Thursday, 2025-Feb-27
PSET 07 Released (Due Apr. 6 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Apr. 13 for up to 90%)
-- --

8

Tuesday, 2025-Mar-04
Online exam released on canvas Mar. 3 at 6:00pm EST
Brief Study Guide Link (Click me).
Exam otherwise includes any other materials from lecture, slides, and homeworks. You must finish the exam in one sitting (i.e. when you open the exam, your time starts)

8

Thursday, 2025-Mar-06
Online exam due on canvas (Exam due Mar. 7 Anywhere on Earth which is precisely Mar. 8 at 8AM EST)
Mid-semester date (Mar. 7)

9

Tuesday, 2025-Mar-11
-- --
Spring Recess

9

Thursday, 2025-Mar-13
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Spring Recess

10

Tuesday, 2025-Mar-18
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Spring Recess

10

Thursday, 2025-Mar-20
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Spring Recess - Mike at GDC, may be slow to respond to e-mail

11

Tuesday, 2025-Mar-25
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-- --

11

Thursday, 2025-Mar-27
PSET08(Due Apr. 11 Anywhere on Earth)

(Late Deadline Nov. Apr. 18 for up to 90%)
Final Project Specification Out
Sample of Previous Year Final Projects

12

Tuesday, 2025-Apr-01
-- --
Mike traveling to ACCU Conference; class will be pre-recorded and posted at regular time

12

Thursday, 2025-Apr-03
-- --
Mike traveling to ACCU Conference; class will be pre-recorded and posted at regular time

13

Tuesday, 2025-Apr-08
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13

Thursday, 2025-Apr-10
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Your in-class activity today is also your milestone check-in activity.

14

Tuesday, 2025-Apr-15
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14

Thursday, 2025-Apr-17
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15

Tuesday, 2025-Apr-22
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15

Thursday, 2025-Apr-24
'Final project due May. 1 at noon ET. (Note: No extensions for final project; 10% late penalty every day project is late)
Last official day of class :(

Final Project presentations will be Thur. May. 1 from 6-8pm in Loria room 250
Please do not redistribute or host any materials without e-mailing me first. Thank you for your time!