CS638 Fall 2001: Project Stage 1.0

Splash Screens, Menus and other 2D Features

Due Date: 5pm Friday Oct 19

This stage is to be done with your group.


Overview

In this stage of the project you will gain experience with 2D aspects of game design, particularly menu systems and interfaces for changing game settings. Along the way you will gain greater familiarity with LithTech. The project is intended to reinforce the event based model of system design.

There are four tasks for this project stage. Each task is worth 50 points. The maximum number of points that any individual can get is also 50. That means that a group of two should complete two tasks, and a group of four should complete all the tasks.

The Tasks

Here is a set of tips and resources to help you with this stage of the project.

  1. Display a splash screen when the game starts up. Somewhere on the screen there should be a button or active area. When the user clicks on it, either the game should start, or they should be taken to the menu system that you implement in task 2. Here are some tips and resources for implementing this stage.
  2. Build a menu system with the following menu options: Of course, if you want to try to implement a complete save and load game you are welcome to do so. No bonus points, however. Here are some tips and resources for implementing this stage.
  3. Include another menu option for Settings. This should take the user to another screen at which they can set options such as mouse smoothing, mouse speed or field of view. Feel free to implement whatever options you like. The settings should be functional. That is, if the user changes the mouse speed the mouse speed really should change. Here are some tips and resources for implementing this stage.
  4. Add a game pause option. When the user hits some key while playing the game the game should be suspended. If you implemented Task 2, the user should be taken to your menu system. They should then be able to save, load, exit, resume or restart. If you didn't do Task 2, the same key should resume the game. Here are some tips and resources for implementing this stage.

Directory Space, Submission and Grading

Each group will be assigned a directory in /p/course/cs638-schenney/public/groups. Each member of the group will have read/write permission, unless you specifically request something different. You are free to store your project files in there in any way you like, but we strongly recommend placing a CVS directory there and using CVS to manage your files. For information on CVS look here.

Grading will be by demo. Time slots will be allocated in room B240 at which each group can demo its game. You must demo or you get zero. Absent group members will have 10 points taken off their personal final score unless they can provide a very good reason as to why they couldn't make it, preferably before they fail to appear.

Late Policy

You may submit your project late, with a penalty of 5% of your score per day or part thereof that you are late.


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