For CMPS 171, there is no grade assigned to the game's website. However, it is a mandatory item, and students on a team will not receive a grade for the class if the game's website is not complete (to the point mentioned below) by the end of the quarter.
There are two deliverables for the website: website framework, and end-of-quarter website. These are described below.
Website framework: The goal of this deliverable is to ensure that website development has started, and the team has done at least an initial information design on the website. Note that the website is not required to have any content at this time (though if it does, that is a plus); the goal is to ensure the site's structure is in place, so that content can be added before the end of the quarter. Specific elements that must be present at this time include:
End-of-quarter website: At the end of Winter quarter, the website should be as complete as possible. At the very least, the following elements are required (see the game website template for detailed description of these items). Others site elements can wait until Spring quarter, as they may depend on the game being more complete.
Though not required, a preliminary video or trailer of the game at the end of Winter quarter will be very helpful in building interest around your game, and will be useful if any team members go on job interviews during Spring quarter. As well, the sooner your team starts building connections to social media sites, Twitter, Google+, Facebook, etc., the easier it will be to attract players, playtesters, etc.