Digital GAME DESIGN Concentration

This concentration gives students the background necessary to create games and interactive environments with strong skills in one of several specialty areas such as environment design, level design, modeling for games, materials, scripting for interaction, etc. Students in the interaction and game design concentration are typically preparing for careers in the game industry in one of these fields.

What Classes Will I Take in Game Design?

The Digital Media Core is required by all digital media majors, regardless of concentration. These classes develop skills required of professionals across all areas of digital media. The last class in this series, Portfolio Development (DIGM4930) prepares students to transition from college life to professional life by working on resumes, cover letters, presentation skills, and most importantly: developing a professional digital media portfolio.

ENTC 1510 Student in University

This course is meant to provide guidance to first-year university students as they begin their search for directions to take in self-definition, intellectual growth, career choices, and life skills. (fall, spring) (There are substitutions available for students in the University Honors or Fine and Performing Arts Scholars Programs)

DIGM1400 Principles of Visual Effects and Motion Graphics

Introduction to practical techniques and awareness in video production, motion design and visual effects as related to motion picture and commercial production.

DIGM1500 Principles of Digital Game Design

Provides students with an awareness of the gaming, interaction and other 3D industries as well as preliminary hands-on experience in the interactive and gaming fields.

DIGM1800 Principles of Digital Animation

Provides students with an awareness of animation and other 3D industries, as well as preliminary hands-on experience in animation production.

DIGM1900 Principles of Visualization

An introduction to practical and theoretical knowledge in visualization. Through lectures and studio application of the underlying principles, students will gain an understanding of visualization through 2D, 3D and moving imagery.

DIGM2990 Mid-Point Review

Students produce a digital media portfolio for presentation and evaluation in preparation for upper level coursework and careers in digital media.

DIGM2660 Topics in Digital Media History

Special topics of interest concerning digital media discipline history. Students learn to apply digital media historical concepts to their specialized disciplines.

ARTH4077 Contemporary Art

A survey of art from Surrealism to the present day. Offered every spring semester.

MATH 1710 Precalculus I or higher

Functions and their graphs, including polynomial, rational, exponential and logarithmic functions.

DIGM 4930 Portfolio Development for Digital Media

Prerequisites: Senior status and within two (2) semesters of completing all requirements for graduation. Permission of instructor is required. This course provides the opportunity to review and refine selected examples of work for the creation of a digital media portfolio. Topics include industry research, job searching techniques, interview preparation, group projects, presentation skills, and portfolio development and refinement. Lecture and lab. (fall, spring)

Digital Game-Design Concentration:

CSCI1250 Intro to Computer Science

Introduction to all aspects of the programming and problem-solving process and the elements of good programming style. A high-level language will be used as a vehicle for introducing these concepts. Laboratory use of the computer in designing, coding, debugging, and executing programs is an integral part of the course.

DIGM2530 High Fidelity Modeling for Entertainment

Project-based introduction to practical techniques and theoretical knowledge of 3D modeling for entertainment. Topics include high-fidelity modeling, digital sculpture, corresponding textures and dynamic materials. This class emphasizes principles governing critical analysis of 3D modeling.

DIGM 3530 Game Design

Introduction to practical techniques and theoretical knowledge for entertainment and serious game design. Topics include multiple game types, first person and role playing games, and medical and tactical simulations. This class emphasizes principles governing critical analysis of level design. This class is repeatable for credit.

DIGM3540 Interaction for Game Design

An introduction to developing game interaction modifications (modding) for entertainment and serious games, such as first person or role playing games, or medical and tactical simulations. Principles governing critical analysis of level scripting are emphasized. This class is repeatable for credit.

DIGM4550 Game Play and Testing

Create and test traditional game content including board games, card games and video games. Focus on the creation of fun to play, easy to learn and hard to master games. Students experience continuous game development iterations based on multiple gameplay and testing sessions of their games.

The Digital Game Design concentration also has 24 credit hours of guided electives.

Alex
Level Designer, Idol Minds“I graduated from ETSU with a B.S. in Digital Media and a Film Studies minor in 2016. In November of the same year I moved to Westminster CO to work as a Level Designer for the game studio Idol Minds. One of my favorite aspects of the job is working with all the different departments to create a cohesive and exciting final product. I am currently working on an undisclosed Cinematic Adventure Game in the Unity Engine. The fact that it’s top secret should be a good indicator that it’s pretty neato!”