Course Formats
Course Schedules are Subject to Change
Required
WinterSpringSummerFall
3D Modeling: Game Design
Acquire the skills to build and animate 3D assets which can be used for your future video game. Students develop foundational knowledge and skills for basic character modeling and animation; environmental prop/asset design; and texture and material creation. They will be introduced to industry standard tools including Autodesk Maya, Blender, Pixologic Zbrush, Marmoset Toolbag, and Substance Painter as they create 3D projects. This course is open to beginners, while giving students with prior knowledge the opportunity to advance their skills.
Concept/Storytelling for Game Design
A strong concept and story can determine the success of good game design. Students will develop skills in interactive storytelling and writing for games with topics including visual prototyping, narrative, and environmental storytelling. Through lecture, discussion, and critiques, students will be led through the process of creating a written proposal for a final game. They will propose and pitch their own individual concepts and execution plans for a game. Game Design certificate students will bring their proposals developed in this class to Production I for consideration for execution as a student team thesis project.
Game Design Production I
Students translate their concepts developed in Concept/Storytelling for Game Design to produce a game using Unreal. Working in small teams, they will create a game that employs level design, pacing, and platforms. Topics include developing world design components, navigation, level design strategies, and level metrics by genre. The project built in Game Design Production I will advance as students continue in Game Design Production II. This is one of a two-part series where students achieve production of a finished game, which is prepared for professional presentation in the Game Design Capstone course.
Game Design Production II
Students advance their level design games developed in Game Design Production I to finalize their games using Unreal. Working in small teams, they will create a game that employs level design, pacing, and platforms. Topics include preparing a game for delivery formats: Steam, sharable for various devices and platforms. This completes a two-part series where students achieve production of a finished game, which is prepared for professional presentation in the Game Level Design Capstone course.
Game Development: Teams
Teamwork is key when working on a digital game with all participants contributing to the final product throughout the production process. In this 20-hour course, students will work together to create a single digital game while learning primary concepts of gaming and interactivity. Students should expect to put in extra 2-5 hours per week outside of the class time. No previous technical experience required.
Game Level Design Capstone
Students prepare a professional presentation of their final games, and present to visiting industry professionals for critical review and feedback. Students learn business practices central to the game design profession, including resume, portfolio, correspondence, and professional presentation.
Introduction to Game Design
Introduction to Game Design explores the fundamentals of the game design industry including production workflows, industry trends, hardware demands, and existing and emerging technologies. Students gain insights into a typical studio, career options, and skills needed for working in a team environment. The course will include opportunities to learn about the field through exposure to game design studios, contemporary and historical case studies, and industry guest/studio spotlights.
Scripting for Game Design
Visual scripting is what drives the magic behind graphics and ultimately the story and experience of a video game. Students will program in a variety of game development environments; Gameplay, UI, Animation, Audio, and more by using the Unreal 4 Game Engine. Students will gain accessible experience for the technical expectations/skills to be a video game studio's Level Designer by gaining universal fundamental programming skills in conjunction with game components. Through lectures, demonstration, discussion, and assignments, students will be led through the process of developing concepts, problem-solving, and methods of computer programming. At the end of this course students create a 3D interactive experience by using the Unreal 4 Editor through Blueprint Visual Scripting.
