Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites?

CS/INFO 4152 is open to anyone who has taken CS/INFO 3152. Teams are built the same way that they are in that course, and the assignments and milestones follow the model established by that class.

In addition to CS/INFO 3152, this course has other prerequisites specific to each track. Students enrolled in the CS course must take the programming track. INFO students are allowed to choose either track.

Programmers

Programmers should have taken one of the following: CS 4620, CS 4700, CS 4758, or CS 5414. We want programmers to have have taken an advance computer science course relevant to computer game development, and to apply that knowledge to this course.
Students with extensive programming experience can obtain instructor permission to be exempt from these prerequisites.

Designers

Designers should have some ability with UX wire frames, graphic design or drawing, and (preferably) experience with Photoshop or Illustrator. We are primarily interested in technical ability; the requirements for artistic ability may vary wildly. INFO 3450 is also highly recommended.

Masters Students

Masters students are exempt from all of these requirements as they are not permitted to take 3000-level courses, and are assumed to have had the relevant course-work as part of their undergraduate education. Masters of engineering students in the computer science department are permitted to take CS 4152, while professional masters students in the information science department are permitted to take INFO 4152.

Is ENGRC 4152 Required?

All students enrolled in either CS or INFO 3152 must take the companion course ENGRC 4152. Those in teams 1-6 should sign up for section 101. Those in teams 7-12 should sign up for section 102. There is no extra meeting time for this course. It is part of the discussion sections for this class. Students who do not enroll in this course will be dropped from the main course.

This course will have its own grade, but it will not have any additional assignments, as it is structured time to work on the materials necessary for CS/INFO 3152. However, if will include some team assessment surveys (which impact participation grades in CS/INFO/ENGRC) and some quick quiz content. With the exception of team assessment surveys and ENGRC quizzes, all CS/INFO/ENGRC grades will be posted via the 4152 CMS.

If you do not have credit already, passing ENGRC 4152 will earn you credit for credit for the College of Engineering’s Engineering Communications Requirement.

Who owns the games made in this class?

Your group retains all ownership of any game that you make in this class. It is Cornell policy that students own their own work. You are free to make derivative works and commercialize any project that you create.

However, as a student in this class, you agree to give Cornell a non-exclusive license for the game as it is submitted at Showcase. Cornell has the right to distribute that version of the game (and only that version) for promotional and non-commercial purposes.

When and where does the class meet?

COVID demands require that we be entirely online this semester. Social distancing requirements make it impossible for us to do the group work that we would normally do in-person.

Unless otherwise noted, all class sessions held during the traditional lecture time (MWF 10:15-12:05) will take place in the class Zoom channel. Zoom is particularly important for critiques and deliverables, when the class needs to be focusing its attention on another group’s presentation.

On the other hand, discussions (W 12:25-1:15, or 2:40-3:40) will typically take place in the course Discord server. In discussions we will spend a lot of time playtesting and pairing up teams, and we need the flexibility that Discord provides.

How do project teams work?

Students usually work in teams of about 7-8 people. The course staff picks the teams by matching people according to the interests they indicate. The staff also tries to accommodate “pre-made” teams, but we cannot guarantee that you will always be able to work with a particular person. Experienced artists, in particular, are a precious commodity and often need to be reassigned to balance out teams.

Does this course fulfill the technical writing credit?

The CS/INFO course must be taken with ENGRC 4152. IN this way, the workload is equal for all members. By taking ENGRC 4152, you will fulfill the Engineering Communication. ENGRC 4152 cannot also fulfill the Liberal Arts credit requirements, not even via petition. This is established policy in the College of Engineering.

What does CS/INFO 4152 count for?

Both the CS and INFO courses count towards the seondary course in the game-design minor. at Cornell. The companion course ENGRC 3152 satisfies the Technical Writing Requirement. requirement in the School of Engineering.

The INFO course may count as an elective in either the Information Systems track or the Human-Centered Systems track. You may chose either track regardless of your role on your team (e.g. designers who do no programming may still get Information Systems credit).

Can I be a TA?

We employ undergraduates TA as staff to help us deal with the course. Because of high turn-over (and students graduating), we are always desperate for 4152 TAs. If you are around for the course next year, please consider filling out the online application. Applications for Spring courses close at the end of November.