Pathway |
Year 1 |
Year 2 |
Year 3 |
Year 4 |
Pathway #1 |
History of Video Games/Intro to Game Programming |
Digital Drawing for Game Art |
Advanced Studies Game and Simulation |
Internship |
Pathway #2 |
Game Design Principles |
Advanced Studies Game and Simulation |
Internship |
Internship |
Pathway #1
History of Video Games
Prerequisite: None
Articulation: Pending
A comprehensive study of the evolution of video games throughout history including arcade games, console games, computer games and mobile applications. Students will become acquainted with representative game designs through playing games, analyzing games, reading and writing about games. (Note: if Introduction to Game Design is taken during the 8th grade year, students may advance to the next course in the pathway.)
Introduction to Game Programming
Prerequisite: History of Video Games
Articulation: Pending
A first course in programming for games stressing fundamental programming principles. Students are introduced to computer programming logic with hands on game development projects using an industry standard game engine. This course will cover the logic structures and design paradigms that allow for fundamental interactions in a visual and object oriented environment.
Digital Drawing for Game Art
Prerequisite: History of Video Games/Introduction to Game Programming
Articulation: Pending
Introduction to digital drawing techniques using industry standard software. Topics include usage of digital drawing hardware, digital image manipulation, techniques for digitally painting custom textures, exploration of the elements of art as they apply to games, composition, and perspective, layout design, character design, and concept development. Includes development of observational, motor, and creative skills. Use of layers, layer styles, adjustment layers and blending modes.
Game Design Principles
Prerequisite: Digital Drawing for Game Art
Articulation: Pending
An introduction to the fundamental techniques, concepts, and vocabulary of game design. Students will design original non-digital prototypes and games, using iteration and play testing best practices. Topics include formal elements of games, mechanics and dynamics, decision-making, flow states and player psychology, the MDA Framework, the iterative process, and rapid prototyping.
History of Video Games
Prerequisite: None
Articulation: Pending
A comprehensive study of the evolution of video games throughout history including arcade games, console games, computer games and mobile applications. Students will become acquainted with representative game designs through playing games, analyzing games, reading and writing about games. (Note: if Introduction to Game Design is taken during the 8th grade year, students may advance to the next course in the pathway.)
Introduction to Game Programming
Prerequisite: History of Video Games
Articulation: Pending
A first course in programming for games stressing fundamental programming principles. Students are introduced to computer programming logic with hands on game development projects using an industry standard game engine. This course will cover the logic structures and design paradigms that allow for fundamental interactions in a visual and object oriented environment.
Digital Drawing for Game Art
Prerequisite: History of Video Games/Introduction to Game Programming
Articulation: Pending
Introduction to digital drawing techniques using industry standard software. Topics include usage of digital drawing hardware, digital image manipulation, techniques for digitally painting custom textures, exploration of the elements of art as they apply to games, composition, and perspective, layout design, character design, and concept development. Includes development of observational, motor, and creative skills. Use of layers, layer styles, adjustment layers and blending modes.
Game Design Principles
Prerequisite: Digital Drawing for Game Art
Articulation: Pending
An introduction to the fundamental techniques, concepts, and vocabulary of game design. Students will design original non-digital prototypes and games, using iteration and play testing best practices. Topics include formal elements of games, mechanics and dynamics, decision-making, flow states and player psychology, the MDA Framework, the iterative process, and rapid prototyping.