The Media School
Minor in Game Design (Minors)
Students on Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 requirements GAMEDSNMIN
Requirements
The minor requires at least 18 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Game Design Foundations.
- Introduction to Games. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 210 Introduction to Games
MSCH-C 210 Introduction to Games
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Introduces the idea of games systems by breaking down games into their different components to build a deep game literacy. Students will learn how to learn a new game quickly; teach complex games to others; recognize and excel at the many different games played in everyday life. Where most courses have readings, this course has "gamings," required games for students to play and learn.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 210 or TEL-T 366.
- Foundations Electives. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 220 Game Technology
MSCH-C 220 Game Technology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Provides a survey of current technologies for creating games. These tools are also appropriate for projects in virtual and augmented reality and interactive journalism. Students acquire competency in several game engines demonstrated by the creation of several digital game prototypes using recently released tools.
- Introduction to Games. One (1) course:
- Game Design Developmental Skills.
- Game Production I. One (1) course:
- MSCH-G 300 Game Production I
MSCH-G 300 Game Production I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 220 or INFO-I 210
- Description
- Students will learn how to make digital game prototypes gaining hands-on experience while working in teams and using game engines such as Unity and Unreal. Students will develop sound teamwork practices such as appropriate and timely communication, version control, and leadership; employ production methods such as agile and waterfall; and develop essential playtesting methods.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-G 300 or TEL-T 361.
- Game Design I. One (1) course:
- MSCH-G 310 Game Design I
MSCH-G 310 Game Design I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 210
- Description
- Examines the structural and formal elements of games. Explores the theory of game design through deconstruction of tabletop games. Students will create, present, and analyze games in numerous contexts.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-G 310 or TEL-T 367.
- Game Art and Sound. One (1) course:
- MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound
MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- A general introduction to concepts, techniques, and tools for creating audio, visual, and narrative assets used in computer games and digitally mediated environments, including sound editing and synthesis, frame-based and procedural animation, and non-linear story writing. Students will create original sounds, write and edit computer code, and author multiform narratives while studying their roles in emerging and complex systems.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-G 320 or TEL-T 284.
- Game Production I. One (1) course:
- Electives. One (1) course:
- MSCH-C 200 The Videogame Industry: Systems and Management
- MSCH-C 215 History of Videogames
- MSCH-G 366 Narrative Design
- MSCH-G 372 Board Game Design
- MSCH-G 390 Topics in Game Design and Development
- MSCH-G 421 Sound for Games and Playable Media I
- MSCH-G 440 Game Aesthetics
MSCH-C 200 The Videogame Industry: Systems and Management
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Examines what games are and how they are made. Topics include the games industry: its creative dimensions and economic structures; its history and future; the organization of game development teams; the methods and tools used in game production. Students will gain a deeper and more detailed appreciation for this rapidly evolving, fascinating, and sometimes baffling industry.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 200 or TEL-T 260.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-C 215 History of Videogames
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Covers the origin and development of the videogame. Topics include the location and platforms for gaming (arcades, home game consoles, personal computers); social and cultural impacts (stereotypes, gender roles, media effects, violence, regulation and intellectual property); new gaming trends (mobile and social gaming, free-to-play, and cloud gaming).
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of MSCH-C 215 or TEL-T 160.
- Summer 2025CASE SHcourseSpring 2025CASE SHcourseFall 2024CASE SHcourse
MSCH-G 366 Narrative Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-C 210; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Focuses on story and narrative design of video games. Explores interactive storytelling, terms and tools to critique and understand game narratives more deeply, and practice in the implementation and execution of story ideas within the world of video games.
MSCH-G 372 Board Game Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Explores the design of conflict systems for games. Students will learn fundamental theories of conflict design (e.g. game theory) and advanced design tools (e.g. spreadsheets). Theories and tools will be applied to popular video and board games.
MSCH-G 390 Topics in Game Design and Development
- Credits
- 1–4 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Topical course dealing with changing subjects and material from term to term.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 8 credit hours in MSCH-G 390 and MSCH-G 290.
MSCH-G 421 Sound for Games and Playable Media I
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- MSCH-G 320; and consent of instructor
- Description
- Explores the theoretical, creative, and technical issues surrounding audio and interaction in games and virtual worlds, virtual reality, augmented reality, art installations, and smartphone applications. Provides the skills needed to construct sound environments that are relevant to visual media and responsive to interactions that happen within a variety of mediated environments.
MSCH-G 440 Game Aesthetics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Build simple digital and tabletop games that explore different philosophical and artistic approaches to game creation. Gain the ability to choose appropriate styles to convey a particular message within a game.
- Minor GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Minor GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the minor—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Minor Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the minor.
- Minor Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed at the 300–499 level.
- Minor Residency. At least 9 credit hours in the minor must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.
Minor Area Courses
-
Unless otherwise noted below, the following courses are considered in the academic program and will count toward academic program requirements as appropriate:
- Any course contained on the course lists for the academic program requirements at the time the course is taken—as well as any other courses that are deemed functionally equivalent—except for those listed only under Addenda Requirements
- Any course directed to a non-Addenda requirement through an approved exception
This program of study cannot be combined with the following:
- Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (JOURBAJ)
- Bachelor of Arts in Media (MEDIABA)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Cinematic Arts (CINEARTBFA)
- Bachelor of Science in Game Design (GAMEDSGNBS)
- Certificate in Journalism (JOURUGACR1)
Exceptions to and substitutions for minor requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.