Game Design Curriculum

*Prerequisites: Techniques of Raster Imaging

GAME1001 History of Game Development 3 cr.

This course covers the history and evolution of electronic game development, focusing on design elements, technical innovations, societal influence, and the impact of marketing. The course will dissect the roles of programmers, designers, artists, and writers, as well as provide an overview of various software and hardware developments for the gaming industry. Students will gain a global and historic view of the interactive entertainment field and its origins.

GAME1120 Introduction to Game Design 3 cr.

This course serves to introduce the various aspects of game design for those intending to work as part of management, production, and/or design teams. The student will begin with an analysis of gaming, with consideration of various platforms, game genres, playability, objectives, rule dynamics, and overall quality. Further, the student will learn the elements of production including game conceptualization, story development, and interface, character, and soundtrack, and level design.

GAME3111 Computer Illustration for Game Design 3 cr.

This course covers the creation and implementation of computer graphics within the framework of multimedia and game design. Students will learn how to use computer graphic software such as Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop to render image files for use in the digital medium. Each phase of graphic creation will be considered including digitizing a base image, creating and manipulating a digital graphic directly within one of the software packages, importing and exporting between programs, and outputting to any one of various suitable graphic formats. Emphasis will be given to designing graphics for digital video, animation, multimedia design, online development, and game production. Prerequisite: GRPH2130 Techniques of Raster Imaging.

GAME3120 3D Modeling 3 cr.

This course covers the principles and techniques involved in creating 3 dimensional media. Students will learn the step by step process of 3D graphics including modeling with NURBs, polygons, and subdivisions using sophisticated 3D software such as Maya. They will also acquire skills in texture design and UV Mapping skills, lighting, scene setup and rendering.

GAME3130 3D Animation 3 cr.

This course covers the techniques involved in animating 3D models in 3D scenes utilizing sophisticated software such as Maya. Students will learn the process of creating and building a 3D scene from objects, lighting placement, and camera manipulation. Furthermore, the animation of characters including model skeleton building, rigging, and key frame animation will be covered in detail. Prerequisite: GAME3120 3D Modeling.

GAME3170 Game Production and Prototyping 3 cr.

This course teaches the fundamental principles and strategies of game production and prototyping, allowing the student to assume the role of project producer. Students will learn the core elements of game assembly, project management, development tracking and troubleshooting. They will become familiar with the procedures necessary for successful game development, from the conception stage and on through the implementation stage, covering the various technologies prevalent in the game design industry. Production focus will be on prototyping, planning, implementation, testing, and tracking across financial and technological constraints. Prerequisite: GAME1120 Introduction to Game Design.

GRPH2130 Techniques of Raster Imaging 3 cr.

This course introduces the student to the process of creating and designing with Raster images using Adobe Photoshop. Students will learn the scanning process and the importance of file sizes and resolution. The course focus will be on preparing photographic images for print and web applications and the different needs of each medium. Students will learn to adjust color, work in layers, create masks, use brushes and filters and appropriate color management for print (CMYK) and web (RGB).  Students with experience using Adobe Photoshop may be able to test out of this required course.