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Mr Matthew Butler
Lecturer
Phone: +61 3 990 47163

Lecturer(s) / Leader(s):

Caulfield

Kieran Love

Introduction

Welcome to FIT2049 Games programming using C++ for semester 2, 2010. This 6 point unit is core in the Games Development major of the BITS degree. The unit has been designed to introduce students to the key programming language used in games development, C++. The unit will transition students programming skills from Java (where you have previously completed two units) into C++ and also introduce the basic building blocks of game programming in Microsoft Windows DirectX.

Unit synopsis

This unit will further develop object-oriented programming skills, and introduce the C++ language to students. Streams, pointers and arrays, classes, inheritance and polymorphism, templates and the STL, along with the I/O class hierarchy will be discussed at length. Interactive programming techniques will be used to solve various programming exercises. This unit will build upon previous programming skills, and provide a strong grounding for further study in this area, especially related to games engine development. The unit will examine game creation using C++ and Microsoft Windows DirectX.

Learning outcomes

At the completion of this unit students will have -
A knowledge and understanding of:
  • the history and concepts of the C++ language;
  • how C++ relates to other commercial languages, especially Java;
  • the features and capabilities of C++, comprising:
  • Streams
  • Pointers and arrays
  • Classes, inheritance and polymorphism
  • Templates and the STL
  • The I/O class hierarchy;
  • the possible solutions/approaches when using C++ for interactive programming; and
  • Microsoft DirectX (2D and 3D) and the role of the Windows API in game development.
Developed attitudes that reflect:
  • enthusiasm for interactive programming;
  • motivation to develop further programming skills; and
  • confidence to understand and explain existing C++ code.
Developed the skills and ability to:
  • adapt Java code to C++;
  • design, develop and debug software applications written in C++, with a focus on interaction;
  • manipulate music and sound effects within a game via C++ ; and
  • create a 3d interactive environment, using C++, that displays the techniques learnt during the unit.

Contact hours

2 hrs lectures/wk, 2 hrs laboratories/wk

Workload

For on campus students, the weekly workload commitments are:
  • four hours of lectures / laboratory (requiring advance preparation), and
  • eight hours of self directed study - this will include reading and computer based activities.

Unit relationships

Prerequisites

FIT2048 and one of FIT1007, FIT2034

Prohibitions

MMS2804

Teaching and learning method

Teaching approach

The unit will be delivered via lectures and tutorials.

Lecture: During the lecture, your lecturer will introduce key theoretical concepts and demonstrate various approaches to games programming tasks.

Tutorials: The tutorials consist of a set of exercises which allow you to put the theory presented in the lecture to work in implementing a programming solution to a practical problem.

Before the tutorials you should carefully read through the activities. The teaching staff will presume that you have completed all the posted tasks each week and build subsequent activities on this assumption.  For this reason it is very important that you complete all the posted tasks (please note you will not be able to complete them in the allocated time, these will be completed in your self study 8 hours). Given the cumulative nature of the learning, it is easy to fall behind if either you do not complete the required work or fail to understand key tasks/concepts. If you are having problems with tutorial exercises, please ensure you speak to your tutor and gain some assistance.

Timetable information

For information on timetabling for on-campus classes please refer to MUTTS, http://mutts.monash.edu.au/MUTTS/

Tutorial allocation

On-campus students should register for tutorials/laboratories using the Allocate+ system: http://allocate.its.monash.edu.au/

Unit Schedule

Week Date* Topic Key dates
1 19/07/10 Unit Introduction, Basic Syntax of C++ & Programming Constructs  
2 26/07/10 References, Pointers, Arrays, Functions and Classes  
3 02/08/10 Inheritance and Polymorphism, Operator Overloading, Vectors, Virtual Functions Assignment 1 Released
4 09/08/10 Template classes and functions - Standard Template Library  
5 16/08/10 File Input and Output, Introduction to Windows Programming  
6 23/08/10 Initialization and Main Loop for Games, Design Patterns Assignment 1 Due. Assignment 2 Released.
7 30/08/10 Introduction to DirectX  
8 06/09/10 DirectX Graphics - Rendering Pipeline, Lighting and Objects, Textures  
9 13/09/10 Game Mathematics Assignment 2 Due. Assignment 3 Released.
10 20/09/10 DirectSound - XAudio2  
Mid semester break
11 04/10/10 Input Detection - DirectInput  
12 11/10/10 Game Events, Collisions and Physics Assignment 3 Due.
13 18/10/10 Revision  

*Please note that these dates may only apply to Australian campuses of Monash University. Off-shore students need to check the dates with their unit leader.

Unit Resources

Prescribed text(s) and readings

Exploring C++ : the programmer's introduction to C++ / Ray Lischner. (Electronic Resource, Available through Monash Library).

Recommended text(s) and readings

Introduction to 3D Game Programming with DirectX, Frank D Luna.

'Game Coding Complete', Second Edition (2005) Mike McShaffry, Paraglyph Press, ISBN: 1-932111-91-3.

Introduction to Programming Using Visual C++ .Net (2005), ISBN: 0471-48724-4

Visual C++ .Net  - How to Program  (2004), ISBN: 0-13-437377-4

DirectX 9 Graphics – The definitive guide to Direct3D, ISBN: 1-55622-229-7

Required software and/or hardware

You will need access to Microsoft Visual Studio.Net 2008 and the DirectX SDK 2008 (June or later) - if you wish to use this software at home the CDs can be borrowed from the technical services desk.

On-campus students may use this software which is installed in the computing labs. Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook.

Equipment and consumables required or provided

On-campus students may use the facilities available in the computing labs.Information about computer use for students is available from the ITS Student Resource Guide in the Monash University Handbook.You will need to allocate up to 8 hours per week for use of a computer, including time for newsgroups/discussion groups.

Study resources

Study resources we will provide for your study are:

  • Weekly detailed lecture notes outlining the learning objectives, discussion of the content, required readings and  exercises;
  • Weekly tutorial or laboratory tasks and exercises with sample solutions provided one to two weeks later;
  • Assignment specifications and sample solutions;
  • A sample examination and suggested solution
  • Discussion groups;
  • This Unit Guide outlining the administrative information for the unit;
  • The unit web site on MUSO, where resources outlined above will be made available.

Assessment

Overview

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

Faculty assessment policy

To pass a unit which includes an examination as part of the assessment a student must obtain:

  • 40% or more in the unit's examination, and
  • 40% or more in the unit's total non-examination assessment, and
  • an overall unit mark of 50% or more.

If a student does not achieve 40% or more in the unit examination or the unit non-examination total assessment, and the total mark for the unit is greater than 50% then a mark of no greater than 49-N will be recorded for the unit.

Assignment tasks

Assignment coversheets

Assignment coversheets are available via "Student Forms" on the Faculty website: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/forms/
You MUST submit a completed coversheet with all assignments, ensuring that the plagiarism declaration section is signed.

Assignment submission and return procedures, and assessment criteria will be specified with each assignment.

Assignment submission and preparation requirements will be detailed in each assignment specification. Submission must be made by the due date otherwise penalties will be enforced. You must negotiate any extensions formally with your campus unit leader via the in-semester special consideration process: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html.

  • Assignment task 1
    Title:
    C++ Fundamentals
    Description:
    This task will require students to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of C++
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:
    These will be supplied as part of the assignment task.
    Due date:
    27th August 2010
  • Assignment task 2
    Title:
    DirectX Fundamentals
    Description:
    This task will require students to demonstrate their understanding of the fundamentals of DirectX
    Weighting:
    10%
    Criteria for assessment:
    These will be supplied as part of the assignment task.
    Due date:
    17th September 2010
  • Assignment task 3
    Title:
    Game Development
    Description:
    Using C++ and DirectX, students, working as a member of a team, will develop a graphical game
    Weighting:
    30%
    Criteria for assessment:
    Due date:
    15th October 2010

Examination

  • Weighting:
    50%
    Length:
    2 hours
    Type (open/closed book):
    Closed book
    Electronic devices allowed in the exam:
    None
    Remarks:
    Written Theory Examination
See Appendix for End of semester special consideration / deferred exams process.

Due dates and extensions

Please make every effort to submit work by the due dates. It is your responsibility to structure your study program around assignment deadlines, family, work and other commitments. Factors such as normal work pressures, vacations, etc. are not regarded as appropriate reasons for granting extensions. Students are advised to NOT assume that granting of an extension is a matter of course.

Students requesting an extension for any assessment during semester (eg. Assignments, tests or presentations) are required to submit a Special Consideration application form (in-semester exam/assessment task), along with original copies of supporting documentation, directly to their lecturer within two working days before the assessment submission deadline. Lecturers will provide specific outcomes directly to students via email within 2 working days. The lecturer reserves the right to refuse late applications.

A copy of the email or other written communication of an extension must be attached to the assignment submission.

Refer to the Faculty Special consideration webpage or further details and to access application forms: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/resources/student/equity/special-consideration.html

Late assignment

Assignments received after the due date will be subject to a penalty of 5% per day, including weekends. Assignments received later than one week (seven days) after the due date will not normally be accepted. In some cases, this period may be shorter if there is a need to release sample solutions.

This policy is strict because comments or guidance will be given on assignments as they are returned, and sample solutions may also be published and distributed, after assignment marking or with the returned assignment.

Return dates

Students can expect assignments to be returned within two weeks of the submission date or after receipt, whichever is later.

Feedback

Types of feedback you can expect to receive in this unit are:

Informal feedback on progress in labs/tutes

Graded assignments with comments

Appendix

Please visit the following URL: http://www.infotech.monash.edu.au/units/appendix.html for further information about:

  • Continuous improvement
  • Unit evaluations
  • Communication, participation and feedback
  • Library access
  • Monash University Studies Online (MUSO)
  • Plagiarism, cheating and collusion
  • Register of counselling about plagiarism
  • Non-discriminatory language
  • Students with disability
  • End of semester special consideration / deferred exams
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