Video Game Design & Animation Diploma Program

Digital Drawing 1 introduces students to the fundamental concepts of 2D art creation for games. Students will learn how to create traditional art and transfer it into digital formats for use in games. Specific topics include: line and form, perspective, and texturing and shading in both traditional and digital mediums. Students will apply knowledge gained in this course to conceptualize and develop concept art used in games.

Game Modeling 1 introduces students to the fundamental concepts of 3D modeling. Students will explore 3D software and tools, which will facilitate development of 3D game assets. Specific topics include: high- and low-polygon modeling, 3D geometry and hard surface creation. Students will apply knowledge gained in this course to conceptualize and develop 3D assets used in games.

The elements and principles of design are the building blocks to create effective and functional visuals. This course introduces students to art and design principles applied to games, with an emphasis on color theory and letter typography. Specific topics include color theory, color wheels, space, form, and fonts.

Scripting for Games introduces students to scripting and problem solving. Students will script the basics of conditional structures, iterative structures and other control structures through the usage of a procedural scripting language. Topics include: loops, functions and if statements.

Programming Logic introduces students to the fundamental building blocks of programming. Students will identify the basics of control structures which will assist in solving programming problems for games. Topics include: variables, iteration, and game loops.

Game Platforms 1 introduces students to visual game engines used to develop cross-platform games. Students will combine a variety of art skills and techniques to develop an original game. Specific topics include: asset importing, game logic integration, and game deployment.

History of Video Games presents a historical survey of video games to modern times. Insights into the game industry will be made with identification of past, present and future games and their social and cultural impacts. Specific topics include: game technology, violence in games, and gender and games.

Introduction to the Video Game Industry introduces students to the game industry with analysis of local and international markets. Specific topics include: analysis of game development centers in the world, identification of roles and responsibilities of game departments, corporate structures and game studio organization hierarchies.

Digital Drawing 2 introduces students to principles of animation through 2D art creation. Students will learn tools and techniques to create animation ready art assets for game usage. Specific topics include: anatomy and proportions, principles of animation, cell animation, and sprite sheet development.

Game Modeling 2 introduces students to 3D modeling techniques to optimize and efficiently produce game assets. Students will combine their knowledge of 3D tools to produce low-polygon models. Topics include: edge and spline modeling, UV unwrapping and modular set construction.

Game Platforms 2 introduces students to game engines used to develop cross-platform games. Students will combine a variety of art skills and techniques to develop an original game. Specific topics include: scripting events, sprite animation, and environment scrolling.

Art History examines classical art and its impact on video games for research and inspiration. Students will survey works of art and architecture that have historical and cultural significance and will draw inspiration to create concepts and assets for games. Lecture topics are combined with current video game examples showing how historical research and accuracy is important in the industry. Specific topics include: Classical Civilizations, Mythology, Architecture styles, 19th and 20th Century art periods, and Modern influences in both the Arts and Games industries.

Game Design 1will introduce students to the principles of game design and mechanics. Students will examine game genres, by analyzing common game mechanics and elements. Topics include: game genres, game mechanics, and gameplay elements.

Game Production & Pipeline will introduce students to methodologies and development best practices for game production. Through the analysis of game design documentation, students will establish development pipelines best suited for 2D and 3D games. Topics include: asset management, waterfall development, agile and SCRUM production methodologies.

Concept Design 1 will apply students’ knowledge of digital drawing to conceptualize and produce environment concepts for games. Students will identify concept designs by referencing architectural landscapes, buildings and blueprints. Topics include: perspective, layout and topology.

Character Modeling 1 will apply 3D modeling techniques to create character models. Students will learn 3D sculpting tools and techniques used to create anatomically correct characters. Topics include digital sculpting, topology and anatomy of human figures.

Game Platforms 3 introduces students to game engines used to develop high-end mobile games. Students will combine a variety of art skills and techniques to develop an original game. Specific topics include: importing 3D assets, animating characters in engine and editing terrain.

Game Animation 1 introduces students to 3D rigging and preparing 3D models for animation. Students will examine the animation pipeline for games by developing rigs for objects and characters. Topics include: rigging, arranging controls and skinning.

Texturing 1 will apply digital art concepts to texture materials for 3D models. Students will analyze and develop surface materials using a combination of 2D and 3D tools. Topics include: materials, lighting and texture mapping.

Level Design introduces students to the process of making game levels. Students will use 3D modeling techniques for environmental world building and learn how to create their first environment with modular building techniques. They will learn practical development skills by assembling assets inside of a game engine as they learn how to translate level design concepts into functional game worlds.

Game Design 2 introduces students to the theory and practise of level design for games. Students will examine layouts and blueprints for levels through the usage of a level editor. Topics include: golden paths, navigation and world building.

Game Business introduces students to the business operations of a game studio. Students will analyze business models and how they apply to the game industry. Topics will include: business models, game marketing and budgeting games.

Concept Design 2 will extend students’ knowledge of concept design to conceptualize and produce character concepts for games. Students will develop characters using traditional and digital techniques to conceptualize human and creature designs. Topics include: posing, costumes and props.

Character Modeling 2 extends students’ knowledge of character modeling to create creature models. Students will learn how to create quadruped anatomically correct characters. Topics include: quadruped conceptualization, ecorche, and lo-polygon modeling.

Game Platforms 4 introduces 3D game development using a commercial quality game engine. Students will combine a variety of art skills and techniques to develop an original game. Specific topics include: space partitioning, visual scripting, and model importing.

Game Animation 2 introduces students to 3D animation for games by analyzing 3D key framing and timing. Students will learn how to animate and integrate 3D animations into a game engine. Topics include: key framing, timing, and animation cycles.

Texturing 2 will extend students’ knowledge of texturing by manipulating images to generate textures. Students will analyze and alterphotos to generate textures that can be applied to 3D models. Topics include: tiling, layering and color correction.

Game Design 3 extends students’ knowledge of level design by analyzing feedback systems. Students will integrate reward systems and narrative through the usage of visual scripting and level editors. Topics include: scripted events, feedback loops and cinematics.

Game Audio 1 will introduce students to technology and tools for game audio development. Students will learn how to design and generate sound effects that can be integrated into games. Topics include: synthesizing, looping, and fading.

Game Portfolio 1 will introduce students to portfolio development for the game industry. Students will learn how to assemble employment material based on industry standards and expectations. Topics include: resumes, interviewing and cover letters.

Interface Design will discuss visual interface design and user interaction. Students will analyze user interaction trends and how to design and layout interfaces for specific platforms. Topics include: spatial analysis, controls and visual representations of data.

Lighting & Rendering will discuss real-time lighting and rendering techniques for 3D game assets. Students will learn how to compose and stage assets within game engines. Topics include: lighting, effects, and shading.

Game Platforms 5 extends students’ knowledge of 3D game development by using new generation game engine. Students will combine a variety of art skills and techniques to develop an original game. Specific topics include: model importing, optimization and game physics manipulation.

Game Animation 3 extends students’ knowledge of 3D animation for games by analyzing emotion and expressions. Students will learn how to develop complex animation cycles and transitions. Topics include: overlapping and secondary actions.

Texturing 3 students will apply their knowledge of digital painting to create textures. Students will use poly-painting techniques to paint directly onto a 3D model’s surface. Topics include: surface painting, and generating texture maps.

Game Design 4 will extend students’ knowledge of game design by introducing story writing and storyboarding. Students will examine the structure of a story, how to visualize and adapt stories for games. Topics include: linear and non-linear storytelling, plots and character development.

Motion Capture introduces students to performance capture with advanced 3D animation methods and concepts. Topics include Directing and Acting for Motion Capture, facial animation, rigging methods, and motion editing techniques. Students will apply knowledge gained in this course to conceptualize and develop a cinematic scene in engine.

Game Portfolio 2 will allow students to develop their portfolio with the guidance and mentorship of faculty. Students will use proper procedures for presenting their portfolio on the web and other mediums. Topics include: static rendering, presenting and showcasing portfolios.

This capstone course allows students to operate as a game studio and design and develop a game as a team. Students will apply knowledge gained in past terms to produce a game following development phases. In addition, students will showcase their final game to an audience.

Game Portfolio 3 will allow students to finalize development of their portfolio by integrating games and demo reel. Students will use video editing tools to present their portfolio. Topics include: demo reel assembly and editing.