History of Game Development
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 […]
Computer Programming I
Introduction to Programming, this course introduces principles of programming in an object-oriented environment. Topics include design and implementation of programs that use a variety of data structures, functions, and conditionals. Students will be expected to design, implement, and debug programs.
Computer Programming Practices for Games
This course will improve upon existing object-oriented programming skills and introduce new concepts in programming. Topics covered are classes/objects and constructors, overloading operators, strings, pointers, namespaces, encapsulation, and reading and writing files.
Game Design Fundamentals
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 […]
Examining Play
This course will cover how playing video games affects the brain and how players respond to different forms of interaction. We will cover how exactly games affect mood and emotion as well as what kind of skills you learn in- game that you can bring into the real world. Students will also study various types […]
Resistance Games
How do games persuade? Could they start a revolution? What is countergaming? When is a mod not just a mod? These are some of the questions we will consider in this course about the influence of critical, speculative, radical, and punk art and design in interactive media practices. Discussions of the works of historic and […]
Procedural Modeling
Procedural Modeling will provide in-depth study of methodologies utilized within all 3D-related industries related to procedural and non-destructive model design. Procedural systems on both a macro and micro level will be covered, while maintaining a wider perspective of non-destructive modeling capabilities. This course will strengthen practical knowledge in 3D modeling, providing a greater understanding of […]
Literary Development of Virtual Worlds
This course looks at traditional storytelling and literary development. Students will then apply classical techniques to the development of virtual worlds, both through non-linear narrative and 3D deployment of literary creations.
Storyboarding Animation
This course covers the design process of storyboarding which encompasses the fundamentals in the pre-production phase of any digital video, multimedia, or computer gaming project. During the first phase, students will learn the value of project management, presentation skills, and effective communication. Second phase lessons include the technical aspects of planning scenes with consideration given […]
Raster and Vector Games
This course will introduce Game students to Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. Students will learn the differences between Raster and Vector images and the appropriate uses for each. Students will gain a full understanding of the interface and tools in the software. The course will cover the uses of these two programs throughout the game development […]
Digital 3D Modeling
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.
Texturing
Using a combination of 2D and 3D graphics applications, students will learn to create textures that are mapped onto real-time 3D models. A variety of visual styles as well as procedural texturing will be covered.
Principles of Drawing for Games
Principles of Drawing for Games is an introductory studio course that teaches students the basics of drawing. This course will focus on a wide range of drawing exercises using a variety of drawing tools. Students will work in black and white and color, drawing from still life and photographs. They will develop their own sense […]
Environment Art
Environment Art is a specialization within game development which straddles the line between modeling and level design. In this course, students will learn to build art assets such as modular architectural components and reusable landscape models, then construct full real-time environments in a commercial game engine.
Pixel Art
Pixel Art for Game Artists is a course designed to equip aspiring game artists with the essential skills and knowledge needed to create captivating pixel art for video games, with a special emphasis on mastering Aseprite.
Digital Audio Production
This course explores the fundamentals of the medium of sound and processes of sound-design, with the goal of understanding, articulating, and creating audio assets for games. Through demos and creative projects, students will experiment with the essential building blocks of sound and explore audio principles such as acoustics and perception, the use of microphones and […]
Web Design
In this course, students learn Dreamweaver, the industry standard program for web site design and production. The course will emphasize the design process from need analysis and concept creation to creating a full website. The course covers the design and construction of Web pages and sites, with an emphasis on the design, content, storyboarding, communication […]
Digital Music Studio
This course explores the world of MIDI and sound-design through virtual- instruments and synthesized techniques. Through demos and creative projects, students will learn essential building blocks of synthesized sounds by using virtual-instruments in ProTools, interfacing MIDI controllers with software, creation of sound-effects through synthesized means, basic rhythmic and tonal music theory, and the creation of […]
Animation and Motion Graphics
This course will focus on the cross-over of the basic principles of animation, motion perception, and design for the digital medium. Topics covered include storyboarding, designing for motion, animation, video editing, using motion graphics for social media, and digital content creation in both a 2D and 3D environment. Special effects, kinetic typography, and particle generators […]
Creatures and Characters
In this course, students will learn and put into practice the process of developing creatures and characters for story-intensive games. In addition to narrative development, students will also create art requests and develop specs for statistics, skills, special abilities, and other elements that would be implemented by systems designers and programmers.
Visual Design and Media
This course explores design elements and solutions for interactive media including an introduction to interaction design and UI/UX. With screen-based design as the focus, topics covered include color theory, design principles, typography, branding, tools and techniques, and ideation. Design research, strategy, and implementation techniques will be covered in relevant, hands-on projects. Industry-standard software, techniques and […]
Foley and Field Recording
This course involves the research and production of audio recordings using live studio-based Foley techniques and site-based field recordings. The class will involve the use of microphones, portable recorders, studio recording, location-based recording, and advanced digital editing tools to develop audio assets such as sound effects for interactive media and video.
UI/UX Design 1
This course provides foundation skills in the areas of user interface and user experience design. Topics covered include research, user journeys, use cases, personas, wire-framing, prototyping and visual design. Industry standards, guidelines, and conventions will explored.
Writing for Fantasy & RPGs
This course covers the broad palette of fantasy and its sub-genres, genre- and lore-appropriate game-text, character development within fantasy, world development within fantasy, writing within the constraints of game development tools, traditional narrative storytelling, cinematic scripts, voiceover scripts, dialogue and narrative, writing specs, writing proposals, writing for established intellectual properties, and analysis of existing games.
Computer Illustration for Game Design
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 […]
3D Animation
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 […]
Game Programming with Data Structures
This course focuses on the subject of game programming using a third party 3D game engine to provide a uniform integration for audio, 3D visuals, and device input. Students will learn various data types, structures, and collections as well as simple analysis of algorithms while developing with various game libraries to be implemented in multi-platform […]
Level Design
This course teaches the concepts and skill sets involved in creating successful levels within any game format. Emphasis will be given to integrating levels within a given game design, construction guided by balance and rhythm, and approaches for handling technical and environmental limitations. Students will develop levels for existing game engines as well as utilizing […]
HCI in the Arts
In this course, we will analyze human-computer interaction in the fine arts through experimentation while discussing the technological and social evolution, pivotal to the field. Students will explore external electronic sensory input systems for integration with digital interactive media, working with microcontrollers and various sensors (capacitance, infrared, ultraviolet, and sound detection) as well as incorporating […]
Agile Project Management with Scrum
In this course, the student will learn how to apply Agile and Scrum techniques to manage software and interactive media development projects. Through immersive and evolving case studies and other activities, the student will acquire the theory, practical knowledge and skills to plan, manage and close a software/game development project.
Cartooning Basics
This course is an introduction to the basic principles of cartooning. Students will learn the essential components of cartooning, ranging from initial concept to finished cartoon. The history of the cartoon will be covered, along with its contemporary application. Cartoon genres will include caricatures, “Funnies”, single panel (including political cartoons), and Manga/Anime style drawing. Student […]
Rigging for Animation
This course covers the techniques involved in preparing 3D models for the animation process. Students will design efficient and intuitive rig systems using popular industry tools such as bones, joints, control objects, and constraints. Furthermore, the process of skinning and application interoperability will be explored.
Life Drawing for Games
The students will enhance their drawing skills by drawing the human figure using live models. Students will study proportion, light and shade, simple anatomy of the human form, and develop a basic understanding of the human figure in action and in motion.
Digital Organic Modeling
This course covers the techniques involved in building organic 3D models using industry standard modeling-specific applications. Emphasis is placed on human and non-human figure study, its importance the modeling process, and the utilization of application tools for an efficient production pipeline. Methodologies for building animation-ready assets from concept sculpts will also be explored.
Interactive Media Advanced Drawing
This course is designed for advanced level undergraduate Interactive Media students, as well as those students from a fine and applied arts background looking to further their knowledge and skill in the various categories of drawing as it applies to the creation of digital art concepts and assets. The course will build upon the foundation […]
Interactive Theater
This course culminates in the production and performance of a non-linear, participatory, and interactive theatre work. Unique to this course is its multi-disciplinary exploration, critical analysis, and application of innovative forms of theatre production which will marry traditional approaches such as scripted dialogue, physical set design, costume production, and audio mixing, with techniques commonly found […]
Music Composition for Games
The course explores advanced game music production concepts and techniques. Topics cover scoring, arranging, and orchestration. Adaptive and non-linear audio concepts are introduced in the context of gameplay, as well as subjects such as looping, branching, and randomization, transition matrices, algorithmic operations, and creating multi-layered stems. Concepts are introduced and explored through applied creative projects. […]
Game Studio
This course is to be taken by Game students enrolled in a Game Studio: Art, Audio, Design, Production or Programming section. The course is centered on an instructor guided project which may include serious games, simulations, artistic installations, entertainment, or new technological exploration. The course will provide a hands-on development environment for a formal interactive […]
Serious Game Project
This course is the capstone course for the Context component of the interactive media curriculum and is thematically connected with the experience component. Students are required to link their humanities and social science work with their interactive media studies. Teams of students work on game projects that are designed for a primary purpose other than […]
Artificial Intelligence for Games
Students will develop logic grids for intelligent agents, discuss how learning and communication are integral elements of artificial intelligence, and engage in philosophical discussions about AI.
Game Analytics
The course will discuss optimization of 3 phases of game design development and production – marketing (how do we acquire the users?), retention (how do we keep and convert users to players?) and monetization (modeling the game changes to get the optimal monetization). The course will also discuss the Stochastic approach, introduce students to relational […]
UI/UX Design 2
Building upon techniques, tools, and knowledge gained in UI/UX Design 1, students will continue to explore all aspects of UI/UX through hands-on projects. Topics include interface design, usability, intuitive design, user experience and technological considerations of multi-platform design.
2D Character Design
This course will focus on the elements involved for successful 2-D character design ranging from concept to final project. These elements include, but are not limited to, research, conceptualization, synthesis and refinement. The student will develop a body of work consistent with her/his/their interests, while at the same time learning about industry methods, practices and […]
Advanced Topics in Game Development
Courses offered under the designation Advanced Topics may represent emerging issues or specialized content not represented in the curriculum. May be repeatable for credit if topic is differerent. SPRING 2025: SEC 01 TABLETOP AND FANTASY CARD GAME ILLUSTRATION AND DESIGN This course focuses on illustrating and designing artwork for collaborative Tabletop and Fantasy Card Games. […]
Career Internship
A junior or senior student may pursue an internship with a company in which the student can apply his/her academic design/development experience to the professional working environment. The student intern works under the supervision and guidance of a faculty member in partnership with the company supervisor. Students may get credit for this course multiple times […]
Directed Study
Undergraduates, typically juniors & seniors, construct an independent study course on a topic approved & directed by a faculty member. May be repeatable for credit.
Directed Study
Undergraduates, typically juniors & seniors, construct an independent study course on a topic approved & directed by a faculty member. May be repeatable for credit.
Directed Study
Undergraduates, typically juniors & seniors, construct an independent study course on a topic approved & directed by a faculty member. May be repeatable for credit.
Directed Study
Undergraduates, typically juniors & seniors, construct an independent study course on a topic approved & directed by a faculty member. May be repeatable for credit.