Game Development - Animation and Game Design

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of using industry-standard digital graphic design tools used for animation and video games. Students will learn how to create and edit: raster graphics, vector graphics, motion graphics, and video sequences.

Students will learn visual communication techniques for developing concepts into usable assets for animations and games. Students will develop image planes for characters and props. They will create story board sequences and mood boards, and will visualize game levels and environments.

This course will introduce the fundamental principles of 3D modeling. Students will learn the industry best practices for topography structure that allows for mesh variations and smoothing. Students will learn how to create UV maps for both Tiled and Skinned model applications. Students will learn how to apply multiple materials and create Physical Based Rendering (PBR) texture maps.

This course focuses on the development of essential communication skills vital to the games and animation industries. Students will learn to craft written documents that clearly convey information, ideas, and narrative elements. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of project documentation and collaborative strategies for effective teamwork. Additionally, students will master adaptable communication techniques for diverse audiences as well as the skillful use of verbal and visual presentations.

In this course, students will be introduced to the basic building blocks of games. This introduction will start with exploring different genres and player motivations. Students will learn the importance of game rules, mechanics, and gameplay loops by analyzing board games and creating their own board game proposal.

This course will introduce the students to the twelve principles of animation and the fundamentals of creating animations to be used in games and animated shorts. Students will learn to apply the principles of animation by animating in 2D and 3D. Students will create and animate character rigs that can be used in either an animated short or exported for use in a game engine.

The Digital Sculpting course teaches students to use industry-standard software to create realistic and stylized characters and assets for animations and games. Students will learn to export normal and displacement texture maps for rendering in Physically Based Rendering (PBR) materials. Students will also explore procedural modeling techniques such as Photogrammetry.

This course introduces the creation of 2D visual assets for video games. Students will explore theory and techniques for creating sprites, animations, shaders, heads-up displays (HUD), graphical user interfaces (GUI), 2D physics, 2D lighting, and special effects. Students will create a level, playable character as well as elements of a narrative story.

In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of creating and implementing visual assets into a game level. They will implement first-person and third-person player, and non-player character (NPC) types into a game level. Students will work with Avatars and state machine configurations for various animations. They will learn how to create Shaders, Materials, Textures, and Lighting for various game engine platforms.

This course explores the core principles of building resilience and achieving success within the game and animation industry. Students will analyze strategies for personal growth, while developing the skills necessary for ethical decision-making and fostering a collaborative, inclusive team environment. The course will explore the complexities of diversity, equity, and inclusivity within gaming culture, empowering the student to evaluate ethical dilemmas and propose solutions that prioritize both player experiences and industry accountability.

In this course, students will develop an environment and implement a character for a visual cinematic narrative. They will implement cameras and cinematic directors for real-time cutscenes. They will create particle systems and post-processing effects for compelling storytelling.

This course concentrates on the creation of short narrative animations. Students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skillsets to create rendered animations. Students will explore story development by utilizing screenwriting, story structure, storyboarding, and cinematic techniques.

Creating 3D environments is an important part of games, animation, and films. Students will learn to create beautiful and dramatic landscapes and animated environments by completing a series of project-based experiments that explore such topics as terrain creation, animated foliage, atmospheres, and cinematic camera controls. They will produce and render cinematic animated sequences within a game engine.

In this course, students will examine various animation and game genres and develop and pitch new concepts. They will create design documents that include the entire production pipeline from concepting, creation, budgeting, and publishing.

In this course, students will learn about various technologies that relate to game engines. They will learn about hardware components and innovative implementations of them. They will examine the design fundamentals of virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and emerging new technologies and media.

In this course, students will modify a game level that has been scripted and has an existing mechanical system. Students will create and implement new visual assets that support a new story within the provided mechanical system. They will create new visual assets for an existing heads-up display (HUD) and graphical user interface (GUI) system, that further supports their visual style and narrative experience.

Audio for Animation and Games will teach students how to implement and optimize audio elements to enhance storytelling narratives, evoke emotions, and provide crucial auditory feedback to players. Students will learn concepts and techniques for dialog, interactive and adaptive systems, music systems, spatial audio, and sound effects.

In this course, students will analyze and assess prototyped projects based on their original design document and whether the product meets the product goals. Students will consider the audience motivation, the user interface, and user experience to determine the overall quality and effectiveness of the product.

In this course, students will compile Game Development knowledge and skills into a presentable format such as renderings or videos, or playable prototypes. These formats will demonstrate their skills and achievements within the program.

Student teams will develop a project from concept, to creation, to prototype for an industry client. To further simulate the business environment, the teams will utilize industry best practices, documenting their work and presenting their projects.