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Minor in Game Design Studies

This interdisciplinary minor is housed in Humanities and Social Sciences, and is comprised of courses offered within the Departments of Cognitive Science; Arts; and Language, Literature, and Communication.

Cognitive Science’s philosophy on gaming relates to designing better games. It seeks to follow the industry model of game development with team approaches, fostering a strong collaboration between electronic arts, cognitive science, human computer interaction, and computer science; developing cutting-edge artificial intelligence for games, especially in the form of “synthetic characters.”

Arts courses in game design research consider games as a newly evolving genre stemming from cinema and interactive experiences with the computer. Students develop innovative game prototypes in a multi disciplinary, collaborative, hands-on studio environment using a variety of interactive multimedia approaches, methodologies and materials.

In addition, games are analyzed as cultural artifacts reflecting behavior, social formation, and the representation of gender. The aesthetics of game design including character development, level design, game play experience, and delivery systems are covered. Alternate gaming paradigms such as scenario planning, non-violent problem solving, blended reality, abstract play, and emerging forms are encouraged.

Requirements

PSYC-2520Game Design

and Three courses from the following list of interdisciplinary core courses:

ARTS-4510Experimental Game Design COMM-4969Designing Interactive Characters for Computer Games COMM-4962Interactive Narrative PSYC-4962Game Mechanics PSYC-xxxxGame AI (New Course) PSYC-xxxxGame Architecture (New Course) PSYC-4520 or CSCI-4520Game Development I The three courses may also include an Independent Study in ARTS, COMM, PSYC, or CSCI approved by the Games Studies advisor

All Majors in the Departments of Cognitive Science and Arts (including interdisciplinary programs such as Minds and Machines and Electronic Media, Arts, and Communication) must use the H&SS Core and/or free electives to fulfill the Game Studies minor. Courses taken as major requirements cannot be used towards fulfilling the minor.

For more information, please contact: Elizabeth Large,
(518) 276-2576, largee@rpi.edu