» Facilitator Login

Fall 2008
Art Practice 98 / 198
2 Unit(s)

Permalink
Human friendly URL (OBSOLETE)
Share:

About the Course:

Improved, and streamlined for Fall 2008.
Sleek and smooth like a ninja-cheetah covered in Crisco.

Note: This isn’t “digital art” per se. There’s no Maya / Max / Lightwave / XSI / Mudbox / zBrush use in the class. Don’t know what any of those are? Then don’t worry about it.

What we do in this class:

We build Counter-Strike levels and play them.

At a glance:

• We spend about half the class time playing Counter-Strike. Sounds like torture, huh?
• Although I do have to warn you, you may have to do a fair bit of level design work at home, depending on how fast you are / how much of a perfectionist you are.
• There are no writing assignments and very few reading assignments; this course is primarily lab / discussion based. We learn by doing and discussing.
• Visit the course website (http://www.radiator.debacle.us/teaching/) for photos of last semester’s class and screenshots of their awesome work.

Sound cool? Well here’s what you need:

1. Moderate computer literacy – e.g. you use Office and you can organize your music.
2. A wirelessly networked laptop – almost any computer bought within the last few years should be powerful enough.
3. A legal copy of Counter-Strike: Source – only legal users can download the level design tools. Usually about $20 USD online, though you can probably find it cheaper.
4. Experience playing “first person shooters” on a PC – preferably Counter-Strike so that you’re familiar with the gameplay, but any FPS game is fine. The most important thing is your familiarity with “WASD” keyboard + mouse-look style controls.

… And here’s what you DO NOT need:

1. No computer programming experience required. Non-computer-science majors are welcome (and encouraged!) to enroll.
2. No Y-chromosomes required. All genders are welcome (and encouraged!) to enroll.

How to Enroll:

1. Sign up using this form: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pATj8kHl-URTvFqe7D8XBWw
2. Attend the first day of class on September 2nd but don't bring your laptop yet. CCNs will be distributed by lottery at the end of the first class, with wait-lists processed on Friday, September 5th and Monday, September 8th. If you are wait-listed and you don’t get in, then you will be given priority next time.

Don't hesitate to e-mail me if you have any questions.