SG110: Introduction to Game Development

In this course students are introduced to the history of gaming and the terminologies used. Students will learn both the theoretical and practical considerations governing the development of a game and how these considerations are manifested in the design and development of games.Topics include game history, terminologies, philosophies, and genres. Upon completion of this course students should have an understanding of the basics of gaming and how
games interact with the user.

Game History

Computer and Video Game History
Resources from About.com

The Dot Eaters
Classic video game history by William Hunter

The History of Video Games
From Gamespot.com, written by Leonard Herman, Jer Jorwitz, Steve Kent, and Skyler Miller

Video Game History
Directory of websites from Google Directory

The Video Game Revolution
History and impact of gaming from PBS

Game Philosophy and Theory

Buzzcut
Website for video game theory and criticism

Cultural Framing of Computer/Video Games
From Gamestudies.org, written by Kurt Squire

The Philosophical Roots of Computer Game Design
Text of a lecture presented at the 2004 Game Developers' Conference by Ernest W. Adams

Playing a Good Game
A Philosophical Approach to Understanding the Morality of Games, from the International Game Developers Association, written by Ren Reynolds

Genre of Games

Genre and Style Guide
Complete guide of genres and styles used on AllGame.com

Multiplayer Games by Genre
From MPOGD.com, the Multiplayer Online Games Directory

Open Directory Project
Directory of video game websites organized by genre

Game Terminology

Game Dictionary
From GameDev.net

Game Programming and Graphics Glossary
From GameProgrammer.com

Video Game Terminology
Glossary from the Jim Jagger Animator site

Additional Sites of Interest

AcademicGamers.com
News, conversation, articles, reviews, and resources for the academic gamer

Blitz
Game creation tools and utilities

BZFlag
Free multiplayer, multiplatform 3D tank battle game

Cakewalk
Music and sound software for Windows

CFXWeb
Demo and game development

CodeProject.com
Free source code and tutorials

CodeSampler.com
3D and OpenGL code samples for game and graphics programming

Cube
Open source multiplayer and singleplayer first person shooter game

Devmaster.net
Source for game development

EA
Fantasy, sports, and strategy videogames

flipcode
Archive of game development news and resources (site is no longer being updated)

Gamasutra
The Art & Science of Making Games

Game Boy
Official site

Game-Culture
Gaming tips, news, and inside comment

Game Developer
Game industry magazine

GameDev.net
Resources for game development

Game Research
Art, business, and science of computer games

Game Revolution
Reviews, previews, screenshots, cheats, and other game resources

GameSpy.com
Multiplayer gaming's home page

Game Studies
International journal of computer game research

GotDotNet
Microsoft .NET framework community

GraphitX
Direct 3D programming

HappyPuppy.com
Latest video game and computer game downloads

How Video Game Systems Work
From Howstuffworks.com

International Game Developers Association
Professional membership organization for issues related to digital game creation

Joystick101.org
Community of gamers, designers, critics, academics, and researchers

Ludology.org
Videogame theory

MadMonkey.net
Independent game network

Nintendo
Official site

Planet Tribes
News, screenshots, previews, reviews, and guides

PlayStation
Official site

Sega
Official site

Sierra Entertainment
One of the largest worldwide publishers of interactive entertainment software

Universal Videogame List
Online game database

The Video Game Critic
Video game reviews

Video Game Yellow Pages
Comprehensive online directory for every segment of the electronic gaming industry

Xbox
Official site

Yahoo! Games
Video game demos, cheats, reviews, and previews