Entity-Component-System

Game Development

Abstract

As with other software, video game code must be fast to write and easy to maintain. The overall structure of application code is called the architecture. Typically, students learn object-oriented architectures in the undergraduate computing curriculum. This POGIL activity will guide students in discovering a data-oriented architecture named for its three concepts: entity-component-system. The activity is intended to be midway through a game development course when the student has already done some programming game object behaviors such as movement on screen. The activity is written in Java, but it can be adapted to other languages. Learning objectives include distinguishing between OOP and DOP; how to decompose a solution into entities, components, and systems; and implementing a system.

This activity was developed with NSF support through IUSE-1626765. You may request access to this activity via the following link: IntroCS-POGIL Activity Writing Program. 

Level: Undergraduate

Setting: Classroom

Activity Type: Learning Cycle

Discipline: Computer Science

Course: Game Development

Keywords: Game development, Software architecture