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Topics in Interactive Media (376-0-20)

Topic

Intermediate Game Design Studio

Instructors

Derrick Vernelle Fields

Meeting Info

Louis Hall 118: Mon 10:00AM - 12:50PM

Overview of class

Intermediate Game Studio is a workshop course where students learn and apply practical game development techniques while producing a single 3D game prototype using the Unity3D game engine. Students will be required to develop their own game design documents and move through key production phases. Although students will produce solo projects, they will gain a multi‐faceted approach to development and participate in various departments of the game‐making process. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to produce games aimed at critiquing how we play with and think about the medium. The course will compare traditional and contemporary media while exploring emergent mechanics, narrative, and aesthetics. This course is recommended for students who have completed Introductory Game Studio or have experience using the Unity game engine, importing assets, and some understanding of C# or visual scripting. Students with a deep interest and initiative are invited to enroll, even if they do not have previous experience or attend the introductory course.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, students will have:


  • A strong understanding of game development and demonstrate both design and production skills

  • Practice adhering to project milestones and introductory workflows (design, prototyping, iteration, play‐testing, polishing)

  • An ability to be able to deconstruct technical and creative elements in other games and draw insight for consideration in their own projects

Class Materials (Required)


  • Unity3D


    • Student license available for free


  • One of the following 3D applications:


    • Autodesk Maya (Free 1 year license available to students)

    • Blender 3D (Free)


  • Adobe Premiere, Adobe Photoshop


    • Free to all RTVF majors

    • Included in Adobe CC subscription for students at the reduced price of $19.99/month for the first year. At the end of the term subscription rates automatically change to $29.99/month if the subscription is not cancelled.


  • Access to laptop or desktop computer that has the minimum specifications or higher to run Unity.

  • A computer mouse (touchpad is not recommended)

  • An external storage device with at least 5GB is suggested but not required.