Game Program Highlights

So you want to start a game program?

So you want to start a game program?

IGDA Education SIG presents the

Curriculum Framework Initiative

& Curricular Models

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Who are we and why are we here?Who are we and why are we here?

• Tracy Fullerton

Assistant Professor USC School of Cinematic Arts, Interactive Media DivisionCo-Director, Electronic Arts Game Innovation Labtfullerton@cinema.usc.edu

Who are we and why are we here?Who are we and why are we here?

• Magy Seif El-Nasr

Assistant ProfessorSimon Fraser UniversitySchool of Interactive Arts

& Technology

magy@sfu.ca

Who are we and why are we here?Who are we and why are we here?

• Susan GoldAcademic CoordinatorGarage Games

susang@garagegames.com

• But ALSO

Chair of IGDA Education SIG

goldfile@gmail.com

IGDA Education SIGIGDA Education SIG

• One of many special interest groups from within Game Development

› * Alternate Reality Games (ARGs)› * Artificial Intelligence› * Casual Games› * Education› * Game Accessibility› * Game Preservation› * Human Resources› * Indies› * IP Rights› * Mobile Game Development› * Online Games› * Production› * Quality Assurance› * Sex in Games› * Students› * Tools› * Women in Game Development› * Writing

MissionMission

To create a community resource that will strengthen the academic membership of the IGDA while enhancing the education of future and current game developers.

ResourcesResources

• http://www.igda.org/education

Education Workshop at GDCEducation Workshop at GDC

• http://www.igda.org/education/workshop

Curriculum Knowledge BaseCurriculum Knowledge Base

• http://www.igda.org/index.php/Curriculum_Knowledge_Base

2002-20032002-20032002-20032002-2003

• Academic Summits are held at the annual Game Developers Conference

– 2003 the IGDA Curriculum Framework (version 2.3 beta) is published

• Adoption into curricula around the world

What is the framework?What is the framework?

• Core Topics

– Critical Game Studies - Criticism, Analysis & History

– Game Design - Principles and Methodologies

– Game Programming - Aspects of CS + specific areas that address gaming

– Visual Design

– Audio Design

– Interactive Storytelling

– Game Production

– Business of Gaming

A Key Component: Soft SkillsA Key Component: Soft Skills

• Speaking & Communication

• Writing

• Collaboration

Interdisciplinary Work & CoursesInterdisciplinary Work & Courses

• The ability to understand and work with a team of different disciplines

• Acknowledging and respecting those disciplines

• Communication Skills

• Breadth of Medium

Programs OverviewPrograms Overview

• Many different programs

• Based on different disciplines– CS– Design– Film– Sound & Music– Architecture, etc....

• Philosophies– Experimental design focused– Industry pipeline focused– Research oriented– Serious games

Game Curricula:Some Highlights from

Current Programs

Game Curricula:Some Highlights from

Current Programs

Cloud, USC IMD

Pac-ManhattanNYU-ITP

Original, Innovative Student GamesOriginal, Innovative Student Games

Original, Innovative student games Original, Innovative student games

Darfur is DyingUSC IMD

Peace Maker, CMU ETC

Homeless: It’s no gameSFU - SIAT

Original, Innovative Student Games

Original, Innovative Student Games

Film Noir Style GamePenn State - IST

flOw on PS3

Original, Innovative Student GamesOriginal, Innovative Student Games

JEDDAH: A Dystopian Dream's Interface: The Cursor as a Narrative Element

SFU - SIAT

Original, Innovative

Student Research Ideas

Original, Innovative

Student Research Ideas

And List Goes On...And List Goes On...

• Warm Control The Global Warming Project– DePaul University

• Fashion Designer – CMU/ETC

• Mermaids - GA Tech

• Agamemnon's Curse, RumbleBox – DigiPen

• Eclipse– SMU Guildhall

• Tragedy Tennis– Northwestern

Programs OverviewPrograms Overview

• Programs have many concepts in common:

– Emphasis on interdisciplinary

– Group work

– Experimental

Collaborative projectsCollaborative projects

Advanced game teams, USC

Game design: paper prototypingGame design: paper prototyping

Alex Mitchell, NUS, Singapore

Kevin O’Gorman, American InterContineåntal University

Game design: PlaytestingGame design: Playtesting

EA Game Innovation Lab, USC

Game CritiqueGame Critique

Girls and Games

Penn State - IST

Theory and Criticism of GamesTheory and Criticism of Games

Jose Zagal, Georgia TechJim Whitehead, UC Santa Cruz

“Game appreciation” courses,theory and criticism of games“Game appreciation” courses,theory and criticism of games

Alice Robison and Henry Jenkins, MIT

Pitches, presentations & showsPitches, presentations & shows

Carnegie Mellon ETC, Virtual Worlds Show

Pitches, presentations & showsPitches, presentations & shows

Intermediate game pitches, USC

Industry InvolvementIndustry Involvement

Advanced Games, USC

Industry InvolvementIndustry Involvement

“Big” Games“Big” Games

USC IMD

Game jamsGame jams

Parsons Mobile Game Mosh

Nordic Game Jam

ImprovisationImprovisation

Lori Shyba, University of Calgary

Bernie DeKoven, Deepfun.com

Traditional & Virtual TheatreTraditional & Virtual Theatre

Penn State – IST

“Live” Games“Live” Games

Deborah Solomon, Montgomery College, MD

Community building between programsCommunity building between programs

USC vs CMU Game Challenge

Student and Indie Game Competitions & FestivalsStudent and Indie Game Competitions & Festivals

Slamdance

IndieCade E3 Showcase

Looks Great, Lots of Success Stories...Looks Great, Lots of Success Stories...

But it’s not that simple

Challenges Challenges

• University setting – Silos

• Getting industry involvement

– Advisory board

– Feedback in game demos, fests, shows

• Finding skilled people to teach

• Undergraduate or graduate?

• Development of a course or a program?

• Major, Minor, Degree?

• Course structure?

• Technology

Question & Answer TimeQuestion & Answer Time

Thank You