Welcome to Video Game Design
If you have never played a video game, where have you been? Left behind on the Moon after the first landing and only found your way back to Earth just now? Seriously, if you want to find out how video games are developed, if you want to appreciate the diversity of skills that goes into making a captivating game, and if you want to ponder how video games have changed society, this is the place to be! Let the games begin!
Basics
Catalog Description: A broad survey course in video game design (as opposed to mathematical game theory), covering artistic, technical, as well as sociological aspects of video games. Students will learn about the history of video games, archetypal game styles, computer graphics and programming, user interface and interaction design, graphical design, spatial and object design, character animation, basic game physics, plot and character development, as well as psychological and sociological impact of games. Students will design and implement an experimental video game in interdisciplinary teams of 3-4 students as part of a semester-long project. Enrollment is limited to ensure parity between students in WSE and KAS/MICA and requires permission of the instructor.
Corequisite: You must enroll in both 600.255: Introduction to Video Game Design and 600.256: Introduction to Video Game Design Lab. There are no exceptions!
Prerequisite(s): Hard to pin down, but students are expected to be at least sophomores; WSE students should have taken at least one (and preferably two or more) programming-related courses; KAS/MICA students should have taken at least one (and preferably two or more) multimedia-related courses.
Academic Honesty: It is your responsibility to adhere to the Department Integrity Code and other applicable university regulations. Feel free to email us your questions or concerns.
Coordinates
Lecture:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Location:
101
Shaffer Hall
Lab:
Monday, Wednesday, noon – 1:15 pm
Location:
Digital Media Center,
226
Mattin Center
Project Deadlines
Alpha: March 11, 2009
Beta: April 22, 2009
Gold: (tentatively) May 6, 2009 (to be confirmed)
