Game Design (Honours) (BA)

This program is offered through the Department of Digital Humanities, the Department of Computer Science and Niagara College

Program Director
Robson De Grande

Academic Advisors
Elizabeth Maddeaux (Game Design)
Dan Portanova (Game Programming)

General Information

Administrative Assistant (Game Design)
Clara Suba

905-688-5550, extension 3270
Thistle 269D

Administrative Assistant (Game Programming)
Brittani Allan

905-688-5550, extension 3157
MCJ 332

brocku.ca/game

Computer and video games can be complex, expressive, narrative, experiential, intelligent, cultural and creative systems. They integrate many types of content and media and are presented on a wide range of interactive digital platforms. The creation of computer games requires highly diverse technical and creative conceptualization, design, implementation and production processes. Games are typically produced by teams of people with specialized knowledge and skills who also understand and support the larger enterprise of the game, which is to provide a user/player with challenge, agency and experience.

The GAME program combines study at Brock University and Niagara College, focusing on the concepts, contexts and mechanics of computer games. Students may choose one of two study options: a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Game Design and an Advanced Diploma in Game Development or a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Game Programming and an Advanced Diploma in Game Development. Students examine the history, discourses and production of games and participate in three major collaborative projects that result in the creation and production of fully realized computer games in the second, third and fourth years of the program.

Eligibility to continue in the GAME program is based on a student’s major average and non-major average. A student with a minimum 70 percent major average and a minimum 60 percent non-major average will be permitted to continue. A student with a major average lower than 70 percent will not be permitted to continue in the GAME program. With the approval of the Chair of the Department of Digital Humanities or the Chair of the Department of Computer Science, a student who is not eligible to continue may be permitted to complete a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interactive Arts and Science or a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science respectively. Required courses not yet completed in these programs will need to be met.

Entrance Requirement

Students applying for the GAME program are required to submit a Statement of Interest as part of their application. See brocku.ca/game for details.

Concurrent Study at Brock University and Niagara College

Students in the GAME program will study at both Brock University and Niagara College each year of the program. The College and University have endeavoured to schedule courses and manage logistics and facilities, including software, hardware and networks, to enable each student’s work between both institutions.

Facilities

The Department of Digital Humanities (DDH) supports the program through a range of media-enriched seminar and lab spaces, including a state-of-the-art computer graphics lab, game development and game testing labs and two general labs.

The Department of Computer Science maintains a 16-core Redhat Linux server that supports the departmental labs and provides students with access to their files wherever they can connect via the internet. The department has three computer laboratories (MC D205, MC J301 and MC J310) containing multi-core Intel processor computers running both Windows and Linux operating systems with access to development environments, database systems and other special-purpose software used in the courses.

Niagara College provides two state-of-the-art gaming labs fully equipped with high-end gaming computers and a suite of software used throughout the gaming industry. The program also has a media viewing room with three widescreen monitors to display game development progress with faculty and clients in a multiscreen interactive environment. Small class sizes enhance the experience of using leading industry art production and software development tools.

The DDH and Niagara College partner with The Generator at One in downtown St. Catharines to enable students to work with industry professionals in internships and structured courses that provide access to a world-class media production studio. Students all have access to a sophisticated Motion Capturing System. Workflow is integrated between the green screen/motion capture studio, audio and visual effects suite, 3D scanning and printing, data centre and theatre.

Program Notes

1. Course requirements include those taught at Brock University and Niagara College.
2. The GAME program works on a cohort basis. Students will only be permitted to transfer from other majors into the upper years of the program in exceptional cases. Transfer credits may not be awarded.
3. The context credits for the Bachelor of Arts Game Design program are: IASC 1P04  and IASC 1P05  (Humanities); APCO 1P00  and APCO 1P50  (Science); and CPCF 1F25  (Social Science).
4. IASC 1P30  serves as a Sciences context credit (half-credit) for the Bachelor of Game Design program.
5. The context credits for the Bachelor of Science Game Programming program are: IASC 1P04  and IASC 1P05  (Humanities); APCO 1P50  and COSC 1P02  (Science); and CPCF 1F25  (Social Science).
6. In 20 credit degree programs a maximum of eight credits may be numbered 1(alpha)00 to 1(alpha)99; at least three credits must be numbered 2(alpha)90 or above; at least three credits must be numbered 3(alpha)90 or above; and the remaining credits must be numbered 2(alpha)00 or above.
   
   In some circumstances, in order to meet university degree and program requirements, more than 20 credits may be taken.

Bachelor of Arts Game Design (Honours only)

Game Design prepares students to analyze and build games and other interactive media expressions. Students create games on varied platforms and gain fluency in computing and scripting. They will learn the principles of and use industry-standard technology for 3D modelling, character design, environment design and animation. Students will integrate narrative, writing, art direction, level and game design.

For Niagara College course descriptions, see niagaracollege.ca/media-studies/programs/ba-game-design/