SIT353 - Multiplayer and Networked Games

Unit details

Note: You are seeing the 2011 view of this unit information. These details may no longer be current.
Enrolment modes:

(B, G, X)

Credit point(s):1
EFTSL value: 0.125
Unit chair:

S Bangay

Prerequisite:

Must have completed 4 units in SIT151, SIT152, SIT153, SIT251, SIT252, SIT253, SIT254, SIT255, SIT352, SIT354

Contact hours:

2 x 1 hour lecture per week, 1 x 2 hour practical per week

Note:

Online teaching methods require internet access. Please refer to the most current computer specifications.

Content

The unit starts with an introduction to networking and games discussing the role of networks, a model for packet based communications, networking in games and expected communication patterns. Network components for distributed games are created bottom up from network sockets that reveal the workings of TCP and UDP and building these up to provide mechanisms to address common communication issues such as connection establishment, reliable communication and flow control relevant to the networked game context. The components are matched with the architectures used in multiplayer computer games (MCGs). Client-server and peer-to-peer systems are covered with respect to their implications with regard to network communications.

 

Networking issues in distributed virtual worlds is used as a model for representation and communication of elements of a virtual environment with regard to communication strategy and data manipulation. Massive MCGs require scaling up to high demand situations by distributing load and adaptive updates. Management of such systems relies on benchmarking of networked games: relating network behaviour to the performance of a MCG and high performance network programming techniques.

 

Support for the social, economic and political structures that form in MCGs is examined with respect to the influence that it has on multiplayer interaction and networking. These interactions are extended to include mobile game networking which adapts networking patterns to wireless networks and to consider issues of cheating. This is related to the incorporation of social networking and its implications with respect to network architectures in games. Emergence strategies in multi-agent systems provide techniques for encouraging player interactions that produce stable MCGs. 

Assessment

Examination 50%, two assignments (20%, 30%) 50%

Unit Fee Information

Student Contribution Rate*Student Contribution Rate**Student Contribution Rate***Fee rate - Domestic Students Fee rate - International students
$969$969$969$2464$2610

* Student contribution rate for Commonwealth Supported students who commenced studies from 2010
** Student contribution rate for Commonwealth Supported students who commenced studies from 2009
*** Student contribution rate for Commonwealth Supported students who commenced studies from 2008
**** Fee rate for students who commenced studies from 2005
***** Fee rate for students who commenced studies from 2006
Please note: Unit fees listed do not apply to Deakin Prime students.