Please Note: New course in development using the Unity platform for Fall 2017.

The video game design course provides an opportunity for students to immerse themselves in the world of video game design and development. Students will explore conceptual and technical aspects of contemporary video game creation using Unity software, a robust and highly respected industry game development platform. This curriculum stems from the Unity Curricular Frameworks, and includes three larger modules focused on game design theory, the major aspects of game creation including programming, art, production and design, and exploration of the conceptual and technical implementation of elements within those domains.

In the first module, students will begin by exploring the critical thinking behind game design theory, story and game creation, and develop their own unique non-digital game. In the second module, students will focus on key aspects of video game design, writing and implementing code in the Unity editor and implementing elements of art and production, as they use basic features to create an initial game in Unity. In the final module, students will explore advanced constructs of game development such as level design, cameras, lighting, and audio, as they complete a capstone video game project. Students will then peer review video games created by their classmates, and use the iterative process to reflect on feedback provided on their own game and revise.

Over the course of the semester, students will be engaging in discussions around current trends in the game industry and the future of the field. There will be a strong focus on project management for technical projects such as video game creation. This course will require accurate and thorough documentation, including game design documents and a game developer’s journal, as well as clear and consistent communication with classmates.

Important Note: Students will have choice in the types of games that they play in this course; some games may have dark themes.

This course is an introductory level class on video game design and creation that does not require previous background in computer programming.

Students will be able to:

1. Identify basic game design principles and understand game theory.
2. Incorporate critical thinking skills in game development and analysis.
3. Create a video game using the Unity editor that incorporates programming, design and art elements.
4. Implement the fundamental concepts of project management within the context of the video game production.

Unity development platform, which runs on both Windows (7 SP1, 8, or 10) and Mac OS X10,8+. Please note, a Graphics card with DX9 (shader model 3.0) or DX11 with feature level 9.3 capabilities is not necessary.
Students working on a school computer must use Unity EDU; SCs will receive licensing information to download this version of the software prior to the semester start. Students working from home may download and install Unity Personal Edition free of charge.

Please note: This course requires use of flash to access some course content, which will require regular access to a computer with a Windows/Mac operating system or Chromebook. This part of the course cannot be completed on a mobile device, and will require Flash to be enabled.

Please note: This course requires regular access to a computer with a Windows[/Mac] operating system in order to install the software required for the course. This part of the course cannot be completed on a Chromebook or mobile device.