CIS 487/587 Assignment 1
Fall 2007

This assignment will give you an opportunity to do a formal evaluation of a computer game. It is very important to remember that you are evaluating the game, not its visual or audio effects.

You should select a game that you are already familiar with or plan to spend the time it takes to become familiar with the game. You may not evaluate any game whose evaluation already appears on the CIS 487 or CIS 587 web pages. To receive full credit you will need to address each of the evaluation criteria listed below. Feel free to organize the paper any way you wish.

Basic Information

  • Game title
  • Company & Author
  • Type of game
  • Price
  • Minimum stated hardware requirements
  • Actual hardware required

Game Summary

  • Quick overview
  • Story line (if any)
  • Player's role
  • Installation
  • User Interface
  • Game Play
  • Scoring
  • Artwork
  • Sound and Music
  • Special features
  • Manual (if any)
  • Bugs

Game Review

  • What is good (fun) about the game? Why?
  • What is bad (not fun) about the game? Why?
  • How does it compare to similar games in the same genre?
  • Why is it better or worse than similar games?
  • What is the appropriate audience for this game?
  • Are any design mistakes present?

Summary

  • Overall strengths and weaknesses.
  • Is the game worth purchasing?
  • How could it be improved?

Your write up can be done using PowerPoint. Your oral presentation should be 5 to 8 minutes long. Demos are allowed, but they should not take more than 3 minutes of your presentation time.

Assigned: 9-10-07
Date due: 9-24-07