Explore the fundamentals of game design through the design and play of simple analog game systems. Students explore the principles and usage of game design elements through hands-on projects emphasizing iteration and playtesting in a creative game design community.

Same as I&C SCI 61.

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration

(II)

More advanced study of game design principles and systems design through the study of complex problems and play experiences. Topics include economies, game balancing, level design, prototyping, stat design, playtesting, and design documentation.

Prerequisite: GDIM 25

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second consideration for enrollment.

Learn the fundamentals of programming for games through hands-on exercises in programming languages like C#, Processing, Visual Studio, .NET, and the Unity engine. Students build several small game prototypes.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

(Va)

Students advance their skills with game programming, building on existing skills developed in Introduction to Programming for Games. Hands-on projects emphasize general procedural and problem-solving skills, as well as furthering knowledge of C# and the Unity3D/Unreal game engines.

Prerequisite: GDIM 31

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors will have second consideration.

(Va)

Introduces students to visual scripting tools in game engines in the context of game design, level, design, and experience design. Students gain fluency in one or more visual scripting languages.

Prerequisite: GDIM 31. GDIM 31 with a grade of C or better

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second consideration for enrollment.

The study and critical analysis of computer games as art objects, cultural artifacts, gateways to virtual worlds, educational aids, and tools for persuasion and social change. Emphasis on understanding games in their historical and cultural context.

Same as I&C SCI 60.

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

(III)

Studies in selected areas of games and their relationship to society. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

The principles, tools, and techniques of visual design for playable media. How do shape, line, color, composition, typography, and time work together to communicate information, emotion, and meaning in interfaces, game worlds, and stories.

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

How do practices of performance, role-playing, and improvisation overlap with contemporary practices of game design? Connecting these forms of play to their contemporary uses within role-playing games, virtual worlds, and playable media more broadly.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

The history, theory, and practice of interactive storytelling for games and other interactive media. Starting with the emergence of electronic literature and hypertext narratives, students encounter and experience a compressed history of this emergent form through play, analysis, and design.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

Introduction to the design and development of games. Includes core concepts in software development, team management, leadership, and project management.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

Professional skills are essential in today’s competitive job market. Covers interview techniques, resume building, professional networking, personal brand development, online portfolios, and presentation.

Restriction: Seniors only. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

Studies in selected areas of advanced game design. Topics addressed vary each quarter. Students work alone or in teams to design and implement a unique game or interactive experience.

Prerequisite: GDIM 25. GDIM 25 with a grade of C or better

Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second consideration for enrollment.

Survey of analysis methods for understanding player data, including playtesting, telemetry data collection and analysis, metrics visualization, and its application in development and business.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second right of consideration.

Studies in selected areas of game programming. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Prerequisite: GDIM 33 or I&C SCI 161

Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second consideration for enrollment.

Studies in selected areas of games and interactive media and design. Topics addressed vary each quarter.

Repeatability: Unlimited as topics vary.

Restriction: Upper-division students only. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second consideration for enrollment.

Design and develop a multiplayer game using Unity or similar engine, with a focus on learning to work in a development team, writing design documents, working with platform features and limitations, developing engaging mechanics, playtesting, and post-mortems.

Prerequisite: (GDIM 27 or I&C SCI 166) and (GDIM 33 or I&C SCI 161) and (GDIM 61 or I&C SCI 62). GDIM 27 with a grade of C or better. I&C SCI 166 with a grade of C or better. GDIM 33 with a grade of C or better. I&C SCI 161 with a grade of C or better. GDIM 61 with a grade of C or better. I&C SCI 62 with a grade of C or better

Same as I&C SCI 168.

Restriction: Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors have second consideration for enrollment.

Students work on their own to design, develop, and playtest a small game from scratch, taking into consideration psychology, narrative, platform features and limitations, marketing, computer science capabilities, human-computer interface principles, industry trends, aesthetic judgment, and other factors.

Prerequisite: GDIM 27 and GDIM 33 and GDIM 51 and GDIM 61. GDIM 27 with a grade of C or better. GDIM 33 with a grade of C or better

Restriction: Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors given second consideration.

As the audiences for games continue to diversify so have the channels for game publishing and monetization. Explore connections between the business and creative side of games in context like esports, education, indie game development, mobile apps, and AAA studios.

Restriction: Upper-division students only. Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors given second consideration.

Students work in teams to design and implement a unique game or interactive experience. Emphasis on sound, art, and level design, building a community, production values, full utilization of hardware and software platform, and current industry trends.

Prerequisite: GDIM 27 or GDIM 61 or I&C SCI 62 or I&C SCI 166. GDIM 27 with a grade of C or better. GDIM 61 with a grade of C or better. I&C SCI 62 with a grade of C or better. I&C SCI 166 with a grade of C or better

Grading Option: In Progress (Letter Grade with P/NP).

Same as I&C SCI 169A.

Restriction: Seniors only. Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors given second right of consideration.

Students continue work in teams to design and implement a unique game or interactive experience. Emphasis on sound, art, and level design, building a community, production values, full utilization of hardware and software platform, and current industry trends.

Prerequisite: GDIM 167A or I&C SCI 169A. GDIM 167A with a grade of C or better. I&C SCI 169A with a grade of C or better. In Progress grade for GDIM 167A or I&C SCI 169A also accepted.

Same as I&C SCI 169B.

Restriction: Seniors only. Computer Game Science Majors have first consideration for enrollment. Game Design and Interactive Media students have first consideration for enrollment. School of ICS majors given second right of consideration.