Program Overview

Game Design and Development, AAS-T

The Game Design and Development AAS-T degree is designed to train students for entry-level positions in the game/media field. Graduates will be able to create animated graphics applicable to gaming, marketing, advertising, educational, and interactive media that use 3D animation.

Program Mission

The program mission is to provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in the game design and development industry. Courses are delivered through face-to-face, online, and hybrid methods, allowing students to practice skills necessary in the industry. Students will conduct industry research to identify career pathways, learn professional practices including copyright, file management, portfolio development, and workplace ethics.

Program Outcomes

Game Design and Development AAS-T degree graduates will:

• be prepared to obtain an entry-level position in their field
• demonstrate technical proficiency and creative skills as related to the digital gaming field
• manage files and content in a manner suitable for industry
• convey characters and concepts through traditional art methods
• compare and evaluate electronic games taxonomy and design theory
• mod game levels in current level editing tools
• create and edit basic scripts in related software
• rig and animate characters and props in current industry tools
• create props, levels, and textures in current 3D tools
• present ideas, pitches, and portfolios to industry and peers
• demonstrate communication, critical thinking, cultural humility, information literacy, and teamwork skills
• meet Humanities, Natural Science, Quantitative Reasoning, Social Science, and Written Communication general education distribution area outcomes

Program Requirements

The program requires 104-107 credits. The following courses are required:

Recommended Course Sequence

• Quarter One
  • ART 121 Introduction to Drawing (5 credits)
  • GAME 101 Introduction to Video Game Development (4 credits)
  • GAME 108 Interactive Media Design (4 credits)
  • ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
• Quarter Two
  • ART 102 Introduction to 2D Design (5 credits)
  • GAME 111 Intro to Programming for Games (4 credits)
  • GAME 122 2D Digital Imaging (4 credits)
  • GAME 124 Introduction to 3D with Maya (4 credits)
• Quarter Three
  • ART 203 Intermediate Drawing (5 credits)
  • OR
  • ART 205 Human Life Drawing (5 credits)
  • GAME 127 Game Mechanics 1 (4 credits)
  • GAME 134 3D Materials and Textures (4 credits)
  • MATH& 107 Math in Society (5 credits) (or any college-level, transferable Quantitative Reasoning course)
• Quarter Four
  • GAME 138 Introduction to Environmental Art (4 credits)
  • GAME 137 Lighting and Effects (4 credits)
  • OR
  • GAME 150 Character Animation 1 (4 credits)
  • ENVS& 101 Introduction to Environmental Science (5 credits) (or any Natural Science course with lab)
  • Technical Elective (4-5 credits) (Select any course with GAME, ART, CSD, or DSGN as the prefix)
• Quarter Five
  • GAME 130 Concept Art - Characters (4 credits)
  • OR
  • GAME 148 Concept Art - Environments (4 credits)
  • GAME 210 High Resolution Sculpting 1 (4 credits)
  • PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits) (or any Social Science course)
  • Technical Elective (4-5 credits) (Select any course with GAME, ART, CSD, or DSGN as the prefix)
• Quarter Six
  • GAME 290 Portfolio and Job Search (4 credits)
  • GAME 275 Capstone Team Project (4 credits)
  • CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
  • OR
  • CMST& 220 Introduction to Public Speaking (5 credits)
  • Technical Elective (4-5 credits) (Select any course with GAME, ART, CSD, or DSGN as the prefix)

Technical Elective

The following courses are recommended as technical electives:

• ART 104 Color for Creatives (5 credits)
• ART 255 Beginning Painting for Art Majors (5 credits)
• ART& 100 Art Appreciation (5 credits)
• CSD 110 Computer Programming Fundamentals with Python (5 credits)
• DSGN 117 Typography I (5 credits)
• DSGN 122 Photography and Image Editing (5 credits)
• DSGN 155 Introduction to User-Centered Design (5 credits)
• ART 170 Motion Graphics (5 credits)
• GAME 105 Storyboard Development (4 credits)
• GAME 137 Lighting and Effects (4 credits)
• GAME 165 3D Character Design (4 credits)
• GAME 182 Game Mechanics 2 (4 credits)
• GAME 215 High Resolution Sculpting 2 (4 credits)
• GAME 266 Character Animation 2 with Maya (4 credits)
• GAME 272 Game Development - Team Projects (4 credits)
• GAME 280 Game Industry Internship (4 credits)

General Education Requirements

The following general education courses are required:

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I (5 credits)
• MATH& 107 Math in Society (5 credits) (or any college-level, transferable Quantitative Reasoning course)
• PSYC& 100 General Psychology (5 credits) (or any Social Science course)
• ENVS& 101 Introduction to Environmental Science (5 credits) (or any Natural Science course with lab)
• CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication (5 credits)
• OR
• CMST& 220 Introduction to Public Speaking (5 credits)

Diversity and Social Justice Requirement

Within the degree requirements, students must complete a 3-5 credit course that meets the college’s Diversity and Social Justice (DSJ) requirement. DSJ courses are designated in the college schedule and are designed to meet other general education or technical requirements simultaneous to meeting the DSJ requirement.

Total Program Credits

The total program credits required for the Game Design and Development AAS-T degree is 104-107 credits.