Game Studies (MA)

Program Overview

The MA in Game Studies is an interdisciplinary program that provides students with a comprehensive understanding of games, from their history and theory to their design and development. The program's unique focus on hands-on learning and research prepares students for careers in the game industry or related fields. Graduates have gone on to work for major game companies and start their own businesses.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The MA in Game Studies is an interdisciplinary and interfaculty program that provides students with a well-rounded, high-quality venue for studying and designing games in all their forms.
• Objectives: The program's objectives are to:
• Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the history, theory, and criticism of games.
• Develop students' skills in game design and development.
• Prepare students for careers in the game industry or related fields.
• Program Description: The program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in the study of games.
Students will take courses in game history, theory, and criticism, as well as courses in game design and development. The program also includes a research project or thesis, which allows students to conduct original research on a topic of their choice.

Outline:

• Program Content: The program's content covers a wide range of topics related to games, including:
• Game history
• Game theory
• Game criticism
• Game design
• Game development
• Structure: The program is a two-year program that consists of six terms.
Students will take four courses per term, for a total of 24 courses.
• Course Schedule: The course schedule for the program is as follows:
• Term 1:
• HIST 5P98 - History of Games
• GAMD 5P93 - Game Design Fundamentals
• GAMD 5P94 - Game Development Fundamentals
• THRY 5P94 - Game Theory
• Term 2:
• GAMD 5P95 - Game Design Studio
• GAMD 5P96 - Game Development Studio
• THRY 5P95 - Game Criticism
• ELECT - Elective
• Term 3:
• GAMD 5P97 - Game Design Advanced
• GAMD 5P98 - Game Development Advanced
• THRY 5P96 - Game Studies Special Topics
• ELECT - Elective
• Term 4:
• GAMD 5P99 - Game Design Capstone
• GAMD 5Y00 - Game Development Capstone
• THRY 5Y00 - Game Studies Research Proposal
• ELECT - Elective
• Term 5:
• THRY 5Y01 - Game Studies Research Project
• ELECT - Elective
• ELECT - Elective
• ELECT - Elective
• Term 6:
• THRY 5Y02 - Game Studies Thesis
• ELECT - Elective
• ELECT - Elective
• ELECT - Elective
• Individual Modules: The program's individual modules cover a variety of topics related to games.
Some of the modules offered include:
• HIST 5P98 - History of Games:
This module provides students with a comprehensive overview of the history of games, from their origins to the present day.
• GAMD 5P93 - Game Design Fundamentals: This module introduces students to the basic principles of game design.
Students will learn about the different elements of games, such as gameplay, level design, and character design.
• GAMD 5P94 - Game Development Fundamentals: This module introduces students to the basic principles of game development.
Students will learn about the different tools and techniques used to create games.
• THRY 5P94 - Game Theory: This module introduces students to the different theories that have been developed to explain the nature of games.
Students will learn about the different ways that games can be analyzed and interpreted.
• GAMD 5P95 - Game Design Studio: This module provides students with the opportunity to work on a team to design and develop a game.
Students will learn about the different stages of the game development process, from concept development to testing and release.
• GAMD 5P96 - Game Development Studio: This module provides students with the opportunity to work on a team to develop a game.
Students will learn about the different tools and techniques used to create games.
• THRY 5P96 - Game Studies Special Topics: This module allows students to explore a specific topic in game studies in depth.
Students will write a research paper on their chosen topic.
• GAMD 5P99 - Game Design Capstone: This module provides students with the opportunity to complete a major research project in game design.
Students will work with a faculty advisor to develop and complete their project.
• GAMD 5Y00 - Game Development Capstone: This module provides students with the opportunity to complete a major research project in game development.
Students will work with a faculty advisor to develop and complete their project.
• THRY 5Y01 - Game Studies Research Project: This module provides students with the opportunity to complete a major research project in game studies.
Students will work with a faculty advisor to develop and complete their project.
• THRY 5Y02 - Game Studies Thesis: This module provides students with the opportunity to complete a master's thesis in game studies.
Students will work with a faculty advisor to develop and complete their thesis.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods: The program's assessment methods include:
• Exams
• Essays
• Presentations
• Projects
• Portfolios
• Assessment Criteria: The program's assessment criteria include:
• Clarity of writing
• Originality of ideas
• Depth of research
• Technical proficiency
• Presentation skills

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program's teaching methods include:
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Tutorials
• Workshops
• Studio work
• Faculty: The program's faculty are experts in the field of game studies.
They have a wealth of experience in teaching and research.
• Unique Approaches: The program has a number of unique approaches to teaching, including:
• A focus on interdisciplinary learning.
• A focus on hands-on learning.
• A focus on research.

Careers:

• Career Paths: Graduates of the program can pursue a variety of careers in the game industry or related fields, such as:
• Game designer
• Game developer
• Game journalist
• Game critic
• Game researcher
• Game educator
• Career Opportunities: Graduates of the program have gone on to work for a variety of companies, including:
• Ubisoft
• Electronic Arts
• Sony Computer Entertainment
• Microsoft
• Nintendo
• Career Outcomes: Graduates of the program have gone on to have successful careers in the game industry or related fields.
Many graduates have gone on to work for major game companies, while others have started their own businesses.