Game Design and Development Minor

Build games that go beyond entertainment

This hands-on program teaches you to design and prototype fully playable games while developing your creative, technical, and problem-solving abilities. You’ll explore the psychology behind how and why games work, study cognitive theory, and learn to combine engaging design elements to build interactive levels, environments, and immersive experiences.

What you'll learn

In this program, you’ll learn how psychology concepts like perception and motivation influence game design. You’ll develop and evaluate 2D and 3D games using tools like Unity and Unreal, creating characters, narratives, and immersive environments. You’ll also conduct playtests, analyze feedback, and refine your games to enhance player experience.

    1. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic concepts, theories, and findings of psychology, including perception, attention, and memory, in the context of games.
    2. Compare operant conditioning and self-determination theory as they apply to videogames.
    3. Discuss formal game elements that can be used to increase cognitive flow during gameplay.
    4. Conceptualize and prototype games by using formal and dramatic game elements motivated by theories of cognition and motivation.
    5. Evaluate games by applying research methods from psychology and human factors.
    6. Evaluate the effectiveness of the user interface and game elements in a project and refine the game based on results.
    7. Implement a fully-functional 2D game using a game engine (Unity 3D).
    8. Design and develop 3D games, levels, and environments, from initial concept to full production, using a game engine (Unreal 4).
    9. Design and model characters and creatures, create a game narrative, and model and animate a game world.
    10. Integrate into a game graphics, textures, objects, and audio for effective communication and engagement.
    11. List factors that influence the user’s perception of a game.
    12. Recruit and guide participants through a playtest of a game in accord with best practices.
    13. Prepare a report on the findings of a playtest with insights on potential solutions.
    14. Chose and implement testing appropriate for the development stage of a game.

Minor requirements

Introductory course (3 cr.)

3D graphics or programming course (3–4 cr.)

Select one of the following courses:

Students may test out of the 3D graphics or programming requirement by prior learning assessment, in which case they take an additional advanced course.

Two course gaming core (6 cr.)

Advanced course or elective (3 cr.)

Select one of the following courses:

Students must earn a C- or higher in each course and maintain a 2.0 GPA.