Through hands-on exercises, students are introduced to critical aspects of the game industry from non-digital games to indie games to the latest video games. Roles and responsibilities within the game development team are discussed and practiced through in-class exercises, and genres are critically introduced, discussed and explored. Key individuals, companies and associations are also explored, and controversies are examined. The course culminates in a group project. Prerequisite(s): CMPA 110, DRAW 101.

Modeling techniques and aesthetic skills required to create, texture and light 3-D objects are explored. Through the use of industry standard 3-D software, students learn methods and procedures to create 3-D models efficiently and accurately. They also learn to create textures, shaders and materials for 3-D geometry. Students create visualizations in 3-D through real-world observations. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 130.

This course introduces students to game design through analysis, application and discussion of the game space, game mechanics, the game player and the design decisions that create the game state. Through in-class game play and game design exercises, students explore the design process through the concepts of player agency and immersion, while structures of goals—both short-term and long-term— force consideration of challenge, conflict and reward. Ultimately, students assess the needs of a target audience and create a game space and a game expressly designed for that audience while providing critical feedback to their peers on their own designs. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 130.

This course focuses on the aesthetics of digital media elements and issues surrounding coherence in interactive environments. Students are introduced to authoring techniques and technologies as they learn how to create and develop basic projects for delivery on the web and as stand-alone applications in which interactivity is the focus. Prerequisite(s): ADVE 150 or GRDS 205 or ITGM 130.

This course introduces interactive and game students to the overlapping field of social media game and application design. Through lectures, critiques and rigorous design exercises students are able to understand and develop strategies and designs for games and applications that leverage social networking platforms. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 260.

In this course, students learn programming techniques and skills using C++. Students learn basic understanding of computer science concepts, awareness of different types of computer languages, use of a program-development environment, understanding of control structures, data structures, program logic, problem-solving and object-oriented programming methodologies. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 250 or ITGM 240 or VSFX 210.

This course introduces students to the field of social media game and application design. Through lectures, critiques and rigorous design exercises, students are able to understand and develop strategies and designs for games and applications that leverage social networking platforms. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 260.

Beginning with an overview of the types of narrative found in games, from linear stories to “MMO instances,” students in this course move from their initial story vision to a fully realized and interactive story for a video game. From the first class, students explore narrative structures, player expectation and response, and work with other students to incorporate feedback into their design to better prepare them to become content designers in the video game industry. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 120.

This course focuses on the principles and methodologies used throughout the interactive design industry for creating screen-based dynamic media—websites, information installations, smartphone applications, etc. Specifically, students address the interactive design process used to create dynamic media and endogenous meaning systems. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 230, ITGM 260.

As the visual quality and expectations of digital games increases, so does the need for better art direction. By focusing on issues such as art direction methodologies, visual complexity, framing, modularity and a solid art pipeline, students design and create visually effective and highly detailed game-oriented environments. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 240.

Cinematics are a primary device for delivering a narrative in today’s story-driven games. This course covers topics such as real-time character animation for scripted events, capturing and editing motion capture data and understanding concepts of game cinematography. Prerequisite(s): ANIM 280 or ITGM 310.  

In this course, students write scripts for a current game engine in order to alter its existing functionality as well as create new interactive elements. Ultimately, students learn to create what in the industry is called an engine modification (MOD). Prerequisite(s): ITGM 303, ITGM 352.

This course focuses on information structure, the interactive design process, delivery and designing visual interfaces. Students are expected to develop a conceptual framework for real-world applications, exploring issues from the industry, art and society. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 303.

This course addresses interface design, user interaction and programming for mobile devices. Industry standard tools are used to build games for mobile devices such as PDAs and mobile phones. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 303.

In this course, students learn advanced program design methodologies, object-oriented design and programming techniques using C++. Students learn to build complex applications by developing reusable and modular code. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 315.

This course explores nontraditional input devices to create interactive user experiences. In addition to the technical, aesthetic and conceptual concerns of this art form, students assess the work of a range of artists. Students are expected to develop concepts, experiments and prototypes for self-contained interactive objects in immersive environments. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 303.

Real-time rendering technology allows a game artist to create immersive game environments that respond to the player’s action within the game space. Students in this course are prepared for high-level careers in the video game industry by learning the processes for creating event-driven environments and acquiring the technical skills required to produce a functional game level. Topics include creating real-time shaders and in-game effects such as physics, particles and event triggers. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 351 or ITGM 352.

This final phase of the student’s senior project focuses on the production and mastering of a senior interactive or game project, including final design, programming or scripting, focus testing, testing and implementation. Students also create support materials, such as a product website, and work to integrate these into their portfolios. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 465.

This course addresses the principle fields of information design, user interface design and human-centered design as they relate to interactive design. Through the exploration of key principles and methodologies of these fields, students develop a working knowledge for evaluating data sets, finding the appropriate information perspectives, creating dynamic interfaces and conducting user testing in order to produce a functional, polished interactive project.

In this course, students gain a solid understanding of game design documentation processes that are crucial for writers and designers of interactive work. Issues involving the game design sequence, fundamental game design techniques, taxonomy of documentation terms and communication through documentation to other departments are investigated, analyzed and critiqued. Students also explore a wide variety of game industry documentation types and needs.

This course examines how to develop characters by working in stages from 2-D character model sheets to the 3-D finished project. Subjects covered include plot and character development, information research and originality, the history of character development and developmental drawings of characters, settings and other materials. Other relevant issues such as artistic license and responsibility are covered in class discussions.

This course provides students with an in-depth and hands-on examination and critique of the art of non-digital game design. Students explore contemporary games and game designers to learn design patterns evident in these games as well as the means of exploring a variety of topics through the non-digital medium. Working through a range of design styles, from non-digital strategy games to Eurogames games to art games, students become adept artists in the medium culminating in a non-digital prototype at the course’s conclusion. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 705 or SDES 704.

In this course, students examine theoretical design concepts and principles applicable to the interactive design and game development industries while tracing the history and evolution of past productions. Students can develop a sense of aesthetics through examining social and artistic influences in computer mediated communications and critiquing essential compositional components of immersive design. Prerequisite(s): ARTH 701.

The aim of human-centered interaction studies is to humanize technology and to design interfaces from a human-centered, activity-based approach rather than from a technological or design perspective. This course provides students with knowledge that enables them to design Web and interactive applications that are not just aesthetically pleasing but also highly usable by their intended audiences. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 705.

Databases form an integral part of the Internet today. The majority of serious corporate websites utilize complex database functions to track customer information, manage the site and provide specialized data to specific users. This course explores methods for creating, maintaining and manipulating a database that drives a graphic website and examines how the database affects website design, architecture and functionality. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 715.

This course enables students to analyze and develop interactive projects with physical input devices. Students develop simple interactive prototypes using switches, sensors and computer vision interfaces. Alongside the practical coursework, students read, analyze and discuss the origins and evolution of interactive art, interaction design and alternative gaming through relevant texts and projects. In the second part of the course, they research appropriate hardware and software solutions and develop an independent project. Students also produce short video documentation of each one of their projects. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 723.

Through the study of past and current level designers and their work, students identify effective techniques and formulate successful strategies for developing immersive and experiential event systems. Topics such as pacing, immersion and cinematic techniques are discussed. Students finish this course with a dynamic interactive game experience demonstrating their ability to produce high-quality game levels. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 706.

Students focus on the integration of imagery, websites, video and various other elements into an interactive portfolio. Concepts, cross-platform developments and issues concerning aesthetics, interface design and use of media are addressed. Students collect relevant material and produce a CD/DVD/web-based portfolio, packaging for portfolio, résumé, cover letter, business cards and flat book portfolio. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 723.

In this required seminar/studio course, students develop and define a personal vision in their area of interest. As preparation for thesis work, this course is flexible and self-directed, with a strong emphasis on critique. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 705.

Through an in-depth focus on the masters of game design and their methodologies, techniques and process, students begin to formulate a vocabulary and a dialog to critique existing game designs. Students learn to explain and demonstrate how these designers and their games have influenced their own work. Prerequisite(s): ITGM 705.

Students in this course undertake a field assignment under the supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite(s): 15 graduate credit hours, good academic standing.

This graduate elective course provides an opportunity for students to focus on particular issues in the field or to study advanced techniques and processes. Faculty, course content and prerequisites vary each time the course is offered. The course may include lectures, discussions, individual projects and critiques, depending on the nature of the topic.