Week 1 — First Playable

GAME 1303 · Tuesday, August 25, 2026 · 9:00 AM – 1:50 PM

Welcome. Today you install the tools, set up the project structure you will use for fifteen weeks, and get something moving on screen.

This week at a glance

Block	Time	What happens
Lecture	9:00 – 10:15	Design topic + engine features
Exercise	10:30 – 11:45	Ex 1 — First Playable — 2 pts, submitted today
Lab	12:00 – 1:50	Work on your semester project

Before class

Install the engine for your section before class if you can — lab wifi and a 12 GB download do not mix.
Bring one image you could use as a placeholder character. A 32×32 square with a face on it is fine.
Think about what game you might want to make. You pitch it next week.

Lecture topics

Section	Topics
001 — Unity 6.x	Intro to course and tools · Unity Hub, editor tour · 2D project setup · Sprite import, pixels-per-unit · Input System package
002 — Unreal 5.8	Intro to course and tools · Launcher, editor tour · Project setup · Texture import and world scale · Enhanced Input

Exercise — Ex 1 — First Playable

A sprite that moves with keyboard and gamepad via the Input System, tuned by you.

Open the version for your section:

Worth 2 points: one for Implementation (it builds and runs, the feature works), one for the Design decision (a deliberate, defensible choice beyond the defaults). Due at the end of the class period — late work earns the Implementation point only.

Lab goals

Finish Ex 1 if you didn't in the exercise block.
Start sketching game ideas for next week's pitch.
Talk to me about scope before you commit to something large.

Due this week

What	When	Points
Ex 1 — First Playable	end of class	2 pts

Run the matching tab of the course checklist before you submit. Every box on it is a graded criterion.

Next week

Week 2 is your Game Pitch — live, in class, 3 minutes. Bring a reference image. If you're pitching a puzzle game, bring a paper prototype. Rehearse out loud with a timer, twice.