Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Game Design, BA


Game development is an exciting multidisciplinary field that requires intense creativity, professional discipline, and strong collaborative production skills. Students in the Game Design major take a wide variety of engaging courses that help them develop a deep understanding of the aesthetics, tools, skills, process, theory, and culture of games that inform their work and encourages them to develop and produce new and original ideas.

Students in the Game Design major complete the Interactive Arts and Media core and the Game Design courses that accentuate the cultural aspects of game design, game design theory, and concept development. Students select one of two concentrations in either Game Development or Sound Design, providing the depth of specialization that the game industry demands. Students seeking to be game programmers should investigate our Game Programming degrees and students seeking to be game artists should investigate our Game Art degree.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 48-57 credits required


CONCENTRATIONS


Game Design: Game Development


As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

  • utilize critical thinking, analytic skills and domain-specific knowledge to construct original game and simulation designs, as well as deconstruct, analyze, and evaluate existing works;
  • apply game design patterns and techniques to create game experiences that are engaging and immersive;
  • use effective game production techniques from a variety of methodologies to produce a well-planned and documented project;
  • demonstrate high-level game engine scripting skills, user interfaces, data tracking, level design and game flow management to produce games;
  • integrate theory, analysis and production techniques in the creation of games for entertainment, learning, social connection and other purposes;
  • contribute to the creation of games while working in interdisciplinary teams using appropriate game development techniques based on an understanding of multiple design methodologies and strategies; and
  • create professional digital portfolios and related materials in preparation for careers or postgraduate study as game developers.

Game Design: Sound Design


As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

  • create self-designed sonic landscapes and environments;
  • implement audio objects into various game engines;
  • apply theoretical concepts of sound design to games, real-time environments and simulations;
  • demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of music theory;
  • collaborate effectively with other sound designers and artists as well as within interdisciplinary teams;
  • demonstrate knowledge of theoretical concepts of acoustics and digital audio; and
  • create professional digital portfolios and related materials enabling them to compete for careers or postgraduate study as game sound designers.