The class format is a studio -- a very short studio. While I will devote as much class time as possible to open workshops, you will still have to meet outside of class time in order to complete the assignments. You may wish to invest in a portable USB drive, as the course will ask you to deal with files and programs that consume a lot of storage space.

The course requires regular attendance, participation via in-class and online discussions, and timely completion of group and individual project work. The course is designed so that you will first complete simple assignments in a group setting, then progress to more elaborate individual assignments.

While the first three packages we will use are well-documented and very stable (Inform 7, The Games Factory 2, and Flash 8), the two 3D design tools -- Blender 3D and the Half-Life 2 mod creator -- are more powerful tools that are constantly being updated by a lively community. As such, the documentation for these last tools is not very complete or user friendly. For this reason, the course will also require patience, good communication with the instructor, a willingness to help your peers, and trust in your own ability to work in a challenging but rewarding area.

I will often send out bulk e-mails to the address on file for you in the J-Web system. If you check a different address more regularly, please use SHU's e-mail forwarding service so that you don't miss important updates.

Unless the homework assignment specifically mentions a printout, you should assume that I don't want a hard copy.