Courses

Continues the topics of GAME321 - Sound Design, goes deeper in those topics (sound effects, voice recording, mixing), and adds extra emphasis on studio direction. This is a hands-on studio-based course in which students will engage in frequent hands-on exercises and in-class activities in order to gain the skills and aesthetic judgment necessary to excel in their creation of non-music audio elements of video games. Students who are not part of the Game Development program will also benefit from taking this course, as it is also applicable to non-game forms of media production.

Covers the issues and technologies unique to creating and deploying sound and music for video games and other interactive digital media. In this studio-based course, students will engage in frequent exercises and projects in order to develop the advanced knowledge, aesthetic judgment, and digital audio skills that will help these students contribute effectively to sound design in Game Development projects. Students must have at least a basic understanding of programming to participate in this course.

A critical evaluation of the deployment of visual art in video games. Students will develop a broad appreciation for the incredible variety of video game art and consider the spiritual, moral and ethical issues surrounding visual design choices in game development. Students will engage in theories and tools that will enhance student participation in development projects.

A continuation of the foundational animation courses. Students will research animation techniques and aesthetics and then develop a plan in consultation with the instructor for a semester-long project. Students will build on their existing animation skills and aesthetic judgement as well as gain a wider appreciation for what is possible with animation, whether computerized or otherwise.

An in-depth look at game design theory and aesthetic criticism pertaining to video games. Through the use of significant projects, students will further develop practical design skills, and investigate theoretical topics such as the ability of games to communicate, simulate and persuade. Students will examine the connections between game design and faith, spirituality, ethics, morality, and the Christian tradition in order to become game designers who are thoughtful shapers of culture rather than simply entertainment technicians.

An in-depth look at the various forms of writing for video games. Students will study and practice game story scripting, writing for interface, dialogue and narration, as well as video game technical writing. Students will develop skills to handle the many writing tasks necessary for a game development project. Students who are not part of the Game Development program will also benefit from taking this course, as it is also applicable to non-game forms of media production.

An in-depth hands-on study of the technologies critical to game development. Through frequent exercises and projects, students will develop the skills and knowledge necessary to program video games—most importantly, the game engines currently employed by the TWU Game Development Program. Student software developers will study industry best practices and critically consider how best to do their work with the highest ethical and moral standards.

A study of the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to video games. Students will investigate the theory behind effective AI in games, and with frequent exercises and projects will practice programming AI as much as possible. Student software developers will gain the abilities necessary to make key contributions to the creation of video games in the Game Development project courses.

An overview of business practices unique to the video game industry, including finance, marketing, management, intellectual property and business models. In short, students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to run the business aspects of the Game Development Project courses. Students will also critically examine ethical and moral issues in the games industry.