Game Design Major
Game Design Major
Bachelor of Arts in Game Design
Computer game play has emerged as the most popular form
of entertainment in our culture and exhibits great promise as
a tool for education, science, and industry. Leveraging the
strengths of the Interactive Arts and Media Department, the
interdisciplinary nature of the faculty, and partnerships with
other departments, the Game Design major is designed to
educate students for careers in the exciting and fast-growing
field of game design and production.
The Game Design major in Interactive Arts and Media
provides contextual understanding and competence in
this distinctive discipline. Our students develop an understanding
of the aesthetics, theory, and culture of games that
informs their work and encourages originality in content.
Game Design majors learn how to develop games in a strong
and collaborative production environment in which teams
work together effectively to create games.
Students in the Game Design major complete the Interactive
Arts and Media core before enrolling in Game Design courses
that accentuate the cultural aspects of game design, game
design theory, and concept development. Students then
select one of four concentrations in Animation, Game
Development, Programming, or Sound, providing the depth of
specialization that the game industry demands.
A distinctive component of the Game Design curriculum
is the senior capstone course. As students study in their
chosen specializations, they are expected not only to accumulate
knowledge and skills, but also to accumulate original
content in order to complete their final capstone experience.
The capstone course brings together teams of student
specialists in the framework of an advanced production class,
where they learn effective team-building strategies and the
creation of shared visions, culminating in the production of a
working game.
As the field continues to grow and expand, Game Design graduates
will find increasing opportunities in entertainment,
education, and creative industries.
Graduates of Columbia College's Interactive Arts and Media department are employed at game companies such as:
Computer game play has emerged as the most popular form
of entertainment in our culture and exhibits great promise as
a tool for education, science, and industry. Leveraging the
strengths of the Interactive Arts and Media Department, the
interdisciplinary nature of the faculty, and partnerships with
other departments, the Game Design major is designed to
educate students for careers in the exciting and fast-growing
field of game design and production.
The Game Design major in Interactive Arts and Media
provides contextual understanding and competence in
this distinctive discipline. Our students develop an understanding
of the aesthetics, theory, and culture of games that
informs their work and encourages originality in content.
Game Design majors learn how to develop games in a strong
and collaborative production environment in which teams
work together effectively to create games.
Students in the Game Design major complete the Interactive
Arts and Media core before enrolling in Game Design courses
that accentuate the cultural aspects of game design, game
design theory, and concept development. Students then
select one of four concentrations in Animation, Game
Development, Programming, or Sound, providing the depth of
specialization that the game industry demands.
A distinctive component of the Game Design curriculum
is the senior capstone course. As students study in their
chosen specializations, they are expected not only to accumulate
knowledge and skills, but also to accumulate original
content in order to complete their final capstone experience.
The capstone course brings together teams of student
specialists in the framework of an advanced production class,
where they learn effective team-building strategies and the
creation of shared visions, culminating in the production of a
working game.
As the field continues to grow and expand, Game Design graduates
will find increasing opportunities in entertainment,
education, and creative industries.
Graduates of Columbia College's Interactive Arts and Media department are employed at game companies such as:
- Dreamation
- Jellyvision
- RedEye Studios
- WMS gaming
- Liquid Generation
Game Core Diagrams
The Game Major has four Concentrations and a shared Game Core- Game Development
The Game Development concentration provides an environment for students to creatively author a wide range of games including real-time games, engine-based games, and simulations. After completing the Game Design core students begin the concentration with an introduction to the industry and to developing original games, followed by a series of production courses. The Game Development track prepares students to produce and develop in a team setting as they work with animators, sound designers, and programmers to build a large-scale game in the senior capstone course.
Game Development -
Requirements/4Year Plan
- Animation Concentration
The Animation Concentration provides fundamental introduction to computer art and animation concepts to students with little or no previous experience. Students learn computer generated character modeling, environment modeling, level design and motion capture animation for Game content.Students will emerge with an understanding of the Game industry's workflow techniques, the 3D gaming community and game types, concepts and strategy for designing and modeling 3D characters, concepts and strategy for designing and modeling 3D environments, the process of directing, capturing and editing motion capture performances and acquiring an advanced ability to use specific 3D software packages to produce 3D game art and animation for a cross-major production.
Game Animation-
Requirements/4Year Plan - Sound Design Concentration
Sound design in games is reaching new heights. More and more gamers are building extensive audio configurations to satisfy the sound requirements and demands of the next ground-breaking game. The concentration in sound design at Columbia College Chicago focuses on the technical and aesthetic issues surrounding the sound designer?s job. These include knowledge of acoustical and digital audio theory, music theory, aesthetics of sound and picture and the techniques of field recording. Graduates will emerge with the skills needed to work in a professional sound design environment, and a broad knowledge of the game design industry.
Game Sound Design - Requirements/4Year Plan - Game Programing
Programming Concentration The Programming Concentration introduces students to object oriented programming concepts while providing a solid foundation in math physics to students with little or no previous experience. While there is a need for a general understanding of computer programming in the video game industry, there are distinct topics that are covered in the concentration. Students will emerge with an understanding of how computer systems execute programs, store information, and communicate especially in dealing with issues of performance, portability, and robustness. They will be able to program in the C++ programming language using good programming practices, efficient programming structures, and object oriented design. They will learn the specific programming skills necessary to work in the video game industry including object interactions, animations, and collisions. Students will have a working understanding of the physics and mathematics necessary in the creation of realistic game action, and be able to create games using current game engine technology.Game Programming - Requirements/4Year Plan
- Game Development