ART 200: Introduction to Art and Design for Games
This course offers an introduction to game design from the perspective of Art and Design, focusing on the implementation and integration of essential techniques for producing interactive virtual environments with unique aesthetic styles. This course offers a critical foundation in elements of game design including 3D modeling, basic illustration techniques and connections with related emerging technologies.
CISC104: Introduction to Programming for Games
Principles of computer science illustrated through programming in the domain of game design and development to the fundamentals of computing through problem solving, abstraction, and algorithmic design. Topics include control structures, arrays, functions, and procedures. Programming projects illustrate the design and implementation of game applications.
CISC204: Introduction to Game Development
Introduction to Game Development builds on previous programming experiences to have students build simple but functional games to get a thorough grounding in the basics of real game design. Via lectures and hands-on projects, the course explores principles of 2D and 3D graphics, animation, sound, user interaction, menus, data organization, physics, and collision detection. Students will work in small teams and collaborate meaningfully.
ENGL220: Introduction to Writing for Games
This creative writing course introduces students to the basic principles of storytelling and narrative design for games. Working as individuals and on teams, students will practice craft elements important to game writing: working with game mechanics, developing compelling characters, maintaining tension, creating dialogue trees, and designing branching narratives. Guest speakers will include industry professionals speaking to current issues in game writing.
GAME 201: Introduction to Game Studies
This course focuses on the history of video games as a medium of cultural expression and a globally popular form of entertainment, as well as the major critical approaches to the academic study of those games. Significant topics covered include game genres and mechanics; global production and consumption of games; gameplay and the role of the player; the relationship between video games and racial, sexual and cultural identity; “serious" games; hackers, modders and prosumers; social and casual gaming; and new and emerging platforms such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). By pairing the rigorous study of critical analysis by experts in game studies with hands-on play of a wide spectrum of games with historical, cultural or aesthetic impact, the course will enable students to develop a well-informed critical lexicon for describing games, as well as an increased awareness of the many roles games play in contemporary society.
SPTM 211 - Introduction to eSport Management
In this course, the history, development, operations and management of eSports players, teams, leagues, events and competitions are examined. Numerous issues, considerations and areas of business activities also receive in-depth focus.
GAME 401 - Game Studies and eSports Internship
The Game Studies and eSports Internship provides a hands-on educational experience. The internship is based on practical experience working directly in the games and eSports industry, combined with traditional academic components. Student activities include the application of important theories/concepts gleaned from prior coursework, informing periodic reflection assignments. Towards the end of spring semester or summer session, students will deliver a formal oral presentation to their fellow Game Studies and eSports students, faculty members, and professionals in the field. These presentations will be open to the university community and general public. Lastly, evaluation surveys will be completed by both the student intern and the on-site supervisor. These evaluations will help the course instructor measure the overall quality of the internship learning experience and the quality of the student's performance.
GAME 490 – Capstone Seminar in Game Studies and eSports
This Capstone Seminar focuses on the multifaceted process of video game development, distribution and reception. Each week's discussion will focus on one facet of a typical game development workflow (i.e., Writing, Programming, Sound), or a specific aspect of game reception (i.e., Game Analysis, eSports, Community Outreach). Likewise, the course highlights the fundamental role of diversity and inclusion for understanding game culture and the game industry, examining the intersections of gender, race, sexual identity and nationality on video game production and consumption. Ultimately, this Capstone Seminar will give GAME majors the interdisciplinary tools to understand the many steps involved in game development, as well as the many perspectives that inform the reception of video games by critics and audiences. It will also provide the structure to allow senior GAME majors to complete a final Capstone Project, as the culmination to their studies in the major.
