The Media School
Specialization in Game Production (Bachelor of Arts in Media)
Students on Summer 2022, Fall 2022, or Spring 2023 requirements MDAS11
Requirements
The specialization requires at least 9 credit hours, including the requirements listed below.
- Game Production. Three (3) courses:
- MSCH-C 200 The Videogame Industry: Systems and Management
- MSCH-G 300 Game Production I
- MSCH-G 350 Game Analytics
- MSCH-G 360 Game Experience Design
- MSCH-G 372 Board Game Design
- MSCH-G 438 Procedural Media
- MSCH-G 488 Artificial Intelligence for Games
- MSCH-X 490 Projects in Media (must be taken for at least 3 credit hours)
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-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.
MSCH-G 350 Game Analytics
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Covers working with detailed game data, including formulating questions, specifying statistics, extracting data, isolating variables of interest, analyzing those variables, and visualizing the results. Students will work with industry standard tools, methods, and real-world data.
MSCH-G 360 Game Experience Design
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Description
- Design game interfaces, integrating them into a game engine. Gain strong visual design skills (typography, color schemes, iconography), learning how to apply them. Finish the course with several portfolio pieces. Beyond game design, the course may be of interest to designers in web and software development.
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 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 488 Artificial Intelligence for Games
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in MSCH-G 300
- Description
- Covers fundamental artificial intelligence techniques for creating effective opponents and non-player characters in games, including world representation, navigation, decision-making, planning, and social interactions, and other advanced topics.
MSCH-X 490 Projects in Media
- Credits
- 1–6 credit hours
- Prerequisites
- Application approved by director of undergraduate studies, instructor, and facilities and technology director (when relevant)
- Notes
- Application is available on the Media School website
- Description
- Opportunity for individual and group projects in media production and journalism; work with faculty member on individual or group basis.
- Repeatability
- May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours in MSCH-X 475, MSCH-X 490, and TEL-T 498.
- Specialization GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
- 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 specialization.
- Minor GPA. 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.
Specialization 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
Exceptions to and substitutions for specialization 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.