Stewart Returns from Microsoft Academic Days on Game Development
in Computer Science Education
22-25 Feb 2007

Updated 06 May 2023
This URL stewart.sdsu.edu/3dgame-prog/MADGD-CSE-C/

Kris Stewart was invited & funded by our Microsoft campus rep, Sam Stokes, to attend the 2nd Annual MADGD-CSE Microsoft Academic Days on Game Development in Computer Science Education last week. Because I teach the CS 596 3d Game Programming course at SDSU, Sam felt that SDSU needed to be represented at this conference. After attending, I whole-heartedly agree with this.

Microsoft Academic Days on Game Development in Computer Science Education papers 99 page PDF
Ian Parberry's Conference Diary pdf online

Let's start with some specifics:

Microsoft Academic Days on Game Development in Computer Science Education; February 22 - 25, 2007;
Aboard the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship. Thanks to Dr. Ian Parberry for organizing this event. It's great to have a conference on a cruise ship because the speakers MUST remain on the ship until we dock. Good chance to have some casual conversations.
picture of Disney Wonder Cruise Ship

Agenda for Conference 22-25Feb07 glad I downloaded copy

Stewart's Preliminary Conference Take-Away Stories
  1. The Computer Science undergraduate degree is good preparation for a career in Game Development and Programming ..., but it would be good to include courses on
    • Computer Graphics (create your own assets and appreciate the work of a team mate who is an artist)
        Why not simply download from the web? (copyright?)
        What about SDSC's Player? SDSC GameGrid, one of the models in their Archive which also hosts the 2 games created by SDSU's Ed Center on CSE by undergrad student for use at Hoover High School science labs (2005-6):
        • Virtual Field Trip to a Lithium Battery [John Nguyen, developer]
        • Physics Game: Crossbow target practice with compensation for varying Magnetic Field [Skylar Hayes, developer]
    • Software Engineering (design documents; thorough testing of software; final, updated documentation of product)
    • Parallel Programming (multicore CPU processor and powerful GPUs)
    • Computer Game Creating/Authoring (experience with at least one Game Engine, its IDE, writing event-driven calls backs to the engine specification)

  2. What is a Computer Scientist? (Have your parents asked this?)

  3. Careers in Game Programming / Development are challenging. You will be expected
    • to demonstrate your passion for the field
    • to provide proof of accomplishments in the field, e.g. you might take the project from this class and mod it further. Torque X; Gaming to the Power of X. Presented by Davey Jackson of GarageGames at the MADGD-CSE-07.
        This summer 07, I will be working with the msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/xna/default.aspx Microsoft Xna Game Studio Express to becoming more familiar with Torque Game Builder (2d game environment), with my recent request to be part of thw XNA Creators Club.
    • to have a story (short, somewhat focussed)

  4. www.gamecareerguide.com/ Game Career Guide (gamedeveloper / digital edition)

Pic of Kris Stewart with Goofy Kris & Sailor Goofy pic of Kris Stewart with Captain Hans Kris & Captain Hans