Designing and developing a Massively Multiplayer Online Game

The Concept Team Frederik Tang, 3rd semester, DKM Anne Yvind, 4th semester, DKM Thomas Hansen, 4th semester, DKM We have been playing and studying MMOGs for quite some time –Conceptual design –Social aspects –Narrative aspects

Our thesis We are starting our thesis this coming semester –Social aspects of MMOGs –How it might be possible to improve on these aspects through the design One thing led to another

What is a MMOG? Online world Thousands of players No final goal Persistent State World –EverQuestEverQuest –The Sims onlineThe Sims online –Eve OnlineTo mention a few…Eve Online

A lot of gameplay Baldur’s Gate II = 250 hours EverQuest = 1429 hours, 31 minutes and counting Don’t get scared. We are NOT making this … only a prototype

Why make such a prototype? Gain experience in working with MMOGs It will be great to have it on our CVs –The actual prototype –Having worked on a production with other teams

In a bigger perspective Such a project have never been attempted on the ITU before Cooperation between the various lines of study on the ITU Cooperation between institutions Create a world that future students at the ITU and other Universities in Denmark can expand

Formalities

Before writing your thesis at ITU You must have completed a year of study at ITU (60 ECTS) You must have completed one subject (7.5 ECTS) appointed ”thesis preparation”

Secure your own work Make sure you have an academic formulation of the problem you are going to work on. Make sure your thesis / project will be able to stand alone with only your part of the production and still meet the academic standards of your line of study. Contact a supervisor as soon as possible.

Possible thesis/project problem Programmers Analyze an game engine Elaborate on a problem that you solve (e.g. ineffective infrastructure in the engine) Relate the implementation to known theory and methods.

Possible thesis/project problem Graphics Implementation of graphics in games Low polygon modeling Immersion in games related to graphics

Possible thesis/project problem Sound Functionality of sound in games Using sound for immersion in games Music composition for themes and worlds

Possible thesis/project problem Project Management Handling communications between teams Overview and strategies How to handle several individual groups working on the same project To implement theories and models to the project teams

Cooperation You can always ask another group in this co work for help and advice Helping out other teams with their problem solving The responsibility → The entire team

The Teams Aiming for the same ambition level There will be deadlines during the period that must be held for a successful outcome – these will be made by all of us

The Teams Task teams will be formed consisting of members from all groups Communicate with the rest of the team on a day to day basis Be honest about your abilities and about your ambitions

Practical info There will be a meeting primo January. Details in your and on the website If you are interested… Supervisors are present now Within the first 2 weeks of January we will arrange meetings for each group – please contact a supervisor before that.

What is needed? Programmers, 3D artists and a sound crew Names and s Work of interest (e.g. 3D, character modeling) Check out the engines –The programmers (and anyone who is interested) have to do this (in collaboration with us). Hopefully before mid January.

Possible Team Structure Theory & Concept 3 people 3D Modelling & Graphics 2-4 people Sound & Music Development 2-4 people Programming Infrastructure 2-4 people Programming Graphics & 3D 2-4 people IT Project Management 2-3 people Task Team Usability 2-5 people Task Team Functionality 2-5 people 16 Weeks project 2-4 people 16 Weeks project 2-4 people 16 Weeks project 2-4 people Task Team Implemenation 2-5 people

Questions