The Media School
Specialization in Game Art – Bachelor of Arts in Media
Students on Summer 2019, Fall 2019, or Spring 2020 requirements MDAS09
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Game Art. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-G 310 Game Design I
- MSCH-G 320 Game Art and Sound
- MSCH-G 340 Animation for Digital Media
- MSCH-G 420 Game Character Art
- MSCH-G 430 Introduction to 3D Modeling
- MSCH-G 438 Procedural Media
- MSCH-G 440 Game Aesthetics
- MSCH-G 480 Virtual Worlds Design
- MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media (approved topics only; see academic advisor)
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.
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.
MSCH-G 340 Animation for Digital Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Covers rigging, 3D animation, 2D animation, motion capture, and best practices for animating for specific platforms like film, games, and commercial uses.
MSCH-G 420 Game Character Art
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-G 320; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Covers 3D modeling and character development for games. Introduces the tools and techniques to create clean base meshes for game engines. Uses UV layouts to create characters, props, vehicles, weapons, and static mesh environments. Includes peer critiques, as well as discussions about project deadlines, tools and techniques, methodologies, and results.
MSCH-G 430 Introduction to 3D Modeling
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-G 320; or consent of instructor
- Description
- Advanced 3D seminar. Topics may include 3D modeling for games and interactive storytelling, 3D modeling for film and television, 3D modeling for the Web, 3D modeling and machinima, programming and scripting for dynamic effects in 3D environments, motion capture and 3D. Lab fee required.
MSCH-G 438 Procedural Media
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Addresses the emerging area of procedural art generation and introduces tools used to create visual artifacts for computer games and other digital media.
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.
MSCH-G 480 Virtual Worlds Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-G 300 and MSCH-G 310
- Description
- Provides an intensive introduction to the design and technical development of virtual worlds and massively multiplayer online games (MMOs). Topics include designing for persistence in a virtual world, world simulation, long-term player goals, and social interactivity.
MSCH-X 478 Field Experience in Media
- Credits
- 4
- Prerequisites
- Application for internship credit approved by the school
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Topical course integrating classroom and field experience. Includes 10-day field experience during or after term offered. Field experience will change based on topic.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for credit with different topics in JOUR-J 418, MSCH-J 418, and MSCH-X 478.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the specialization.
- A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the specialization—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
- Exceptions to specialization requirements may be made with the approval of the department's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.