Game Programming - Course Introduction and Syllabus - Lecture 1

Learn the fundamentals of game programming and game engine architecture in this introductory lecture from Memorial University's Computer Science 4300 course. Explore the course structure, grading system, and academic policies while gaining insight into what makes effective game programming education. Discover the reasoning behind building custom game engines rather than using existing ones, and understand how the course balances theoretical concepts with practical implementation. Get introduced to key topics that will be covered throughout the semester, including vector math for games, rendering, animation, artificial intelligence, collision detection, game physics, and user interfaces using C++ and SFML graphics library with an ECS (Entities, Components, Systems) architecture. Examine the role of AI tools in modern programming education and industry practices, along with current computer science job market statistics and portfolio building strategies. Understand the course's approach to teaching game engine development from scratch, providing students with deep knowledge of underlying systems rather than relying solely on pre-built engines, while preparing for assignments that involve creating fully functional games.