In this course, students will learn the fundamentals of game design through mechanics and physical prototypes. Visual scripting introduces game logic and mechanics, while AI tools support rapid iteration, providing inspiration and aiding in idea refinement. Students will balance hands-on design with emerging technologies to enhance gameplay concepts.

Students will learn advanced features of the Unreal Engine and apply their knowledge of programming, art and design to create more technically inclined content, such as advanced AI, gameplay objects, terrain, foliage, physics objects, particle effects, and more. Each will be a piece for their technical design and technical art portfolio.

Students will discover the fundamentals of video game asset creation using industry-standard tools. In this course, students will create a game-ready environment, and props in Maya, and craft textures and materials in Photoshop and Substance Painter. These assets will then be brought forward to present in a portfolio setting.

This course introduces students to programming logic through hands-on activities before progressing to C# basics, object-oriented principles, and game development in Unity. Students will implement physics, animation, and player input while creating small games from scratch. AI-assisted tools support debugging and code refinement, enhancing efficiency while reinforcing core programming skills.

This course teaches level design principles, focusing on gameplay flow, player experience, and visual communication. Students will complete a mix of shared modules, including combat design, and independent learning within Art, Design, and Programming streams, covering topics like environmental storytelling, game mechanics, and systems planning. AI-assisted tools support iteration and refinement, helping students align their work with broader game development goals, including Capstone projects.

Students will master Unreal's Blueprint system to create functional game mechanics while blending design and programming principles. They will explore AI-enhanced workflows to prototype and refine mechanics, leveraging procedural systems and generative AI for system design ideas and variations. Optional C++ modules are available for students who want to deepen their technical skills and explore more advanced programming concepts.

Students will a focus on crafting game ready characters in Zbrush & Maya and producing textures and materials in Photoshop and Substance Painter. During the course students will familiarize with node-based materials production, work with in-engine lighting, rendering and post-processing.

Building on Game Programming 1, students will develop advanced Unity and C# skills while integrating visual scripting as a supplementary tool. They will learn to implement complex game mechanics for genres such as 2D and 3D platformers and strategy games, focusing on physics, AI behaviors, and gameplay systems. AI-assisted tools support debugging, code optimization, and prototyping, helping students refine technical problem-solving and development workflows.

Students will learn and apply UI/UX best principles and practices, while designing and building a UI system from concept to shippable. Students will follow the full UX process from start to finish strategizing, define, design & prototype, verify & iterate, implement and document. By the end of the course, students will have a comprehensive understanding of understanding the user and their needs and have a workable Mobile Game UI and case study for their portfolio.

Students will build a new skillset to include rigging and animating for games characters. In the course, students will create a set of game ready animations while applying animation principles. They will incorporate industry-standard motion capture data, plan a production, and be prepared for iteration during development.

This course teaches students how to quickly create games through ideation, asset creation, and iterative testing. Students will participate in game jams and collaborative projects, using rapid development techniques to refine mechanics and identify their future roles in game development. AI tools assist with brainstorming, generating placeholder assets, and refining rapid iterations, allowing students to focus on creative decision-making and experimentation.

Students will develop advanced programming skills by structuring complex game systems and applying object-oriented principles in Unity. A portion of the course will focus on Unreal Engine, where students can choose to implement assignments using either C++ or Visual Scripting. AI-assisted tools support debugging, optimization, and prototyping, enhancing problem-solving and technical efficiency.

This course focuses on advanced game design, emphasizing systems design, game balance, UI/UX principles, and documentation. Students will develop modular gameplay systems in Unreal Engine using Blueprints or C++, refine balance through spreadsheets, and implement engaging and immersive user interfaces. AI-assisted tools support procedural generation, system testing, and iteration, helping students refine mechanics and optimize game experiences.

This course blends artistic and technical skills essential for modern game development, covering both 2D and 3D artistic techniques. Students will focus on advanced modeling, lighting, post-processing, asset optimization, and audio implementation while integrating their work into game engines. AI-driven tools support material generation and procedural workflows, enhancing visual fidelity and streamlining production.

Students will be introduced to a variety of 3D rendering techniques, focusing on shaders, lighting, and custom rendering pipelines. Using both Unity and Unreal, students will learn how to create custom shaders using a node-based approach.

This course focuses on agile and scrum methodologies, along with other project management techniques relevant to modern game development. Students will work in teams to develop games, using iterative workflows to prototype mechanics, level designs, art styles, and gameplay genres while ensuring ideas align with project goals. AI tools assist in asset creation and mechanics testing, enabling students to experiment with bold ideas and focus on creative refinement.

This course explores narrative design principles for games, focusing on interactive storytelling and collaborative tabletop RPG games. Students will examine the history of games while writing their own branching narrative stories and games, using AI-driven tools to generate and refine dialogue and characters. Throughout the course, they will develop engaging, player-driven narratives that respond to choice and interaction.

This course explores procedural tools and workflows for generating optimized, scalable assets for game development. Students will create procedural terrains, simulations, and levels while integrating automation techniques to enhance visual fidelity and performance. AI-assisted tools support material generation, dynamic environments, and asset optimization, allowing for more efficient and innovative procedural pipelines.

Building on Rapid Game Development 1, this course further refines agile methodologies and scrum processes to prepare students for Capstone production. Students will apply iterative development, rapid prototyping, and collaboration while incorporating professional techniques such as bug tracking, version control, and workflow optimization. AI-based project management tools assist with task tracking and resource allocation, ensuring efficient and structured development.

This course explores the creation of games and applications for XR platforms, including VR and AR, with a focus on immersive design principles and hardware optimization. Students will experiment with AR/VR mechanics while learning best practices for intuitive interaction, user experience, and performance constraints. AI-driven tools assist in real-time analytics and content generation, enhancing user engagement and interactivity in XR environments.

The first of four sequential final project courses in which students form teams, ideate, pitch, and draft documentation about a single game concept. Working from these documents, the students then create a playable prototype proving out their main feature. This pre-production process allows students to be production-ready for their game moving forward. Staff and industry mentors will guide and give feedback to the student teams.

In this course, students begin full production on their final game, delivering a playable vertical slice that proves the core gameplay loop. They will present their work to peers, instructors, and industry mentors, engaging in structured feedback sessions to refine gameplay, visuals, and narrative integration. This collaborative studio-style environment emphasizes adaptability, teamwork, and iterative improvement based on critique from professionals and peers.

In this course, students continue full production on their Capstone projects, delivering major milestones, including alpha and beta builds. They will present their progress to an industry panel, simulating real-world studio pitches and receiving in-depth feedback on technical execution, market relevance, and creative direction. Through iterative refinement and professional critique, students will enhance their projects, honing both their development and communication skills in preparation for industry expectations.

The last of four sequential final project courses where students focus on fixing bugs, polishing, and presenting their games. Students will have a chance to network with and showcase their games to working industry professionals. Throughout this course, students will engage with an industry partner to create a real-life product and also develop marketing material to help promote their games and create a resume and portfolio while seeking employment.