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)
Donna Phelps (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.
Major Credits
In calculating the major average for a Game Design major the following are included: BTGD 1P10 , BTGD 1P11 , BTGD 1P20 , BTGD 1P22 , BTGD 2P31 , BTGD 2P35 , BTGD 2P41 , BTGD 2P45 , BTGD 3P65 , BTGD 3Y51 , BTGD 3Y55 , IASC 1P04 , IASC 1P05 , IASC 1P30 , IASC 2P04 , IASC 2P05 , IASC 3P04 , IASC 3P06 , IASC 4F03 , IASC 4P02 , VISA 2P97 , VISA 2P99 .
In calculating the major average for a Game Programming major the following are included: BTGD 1P11 , BTGD 1P22 , BTGD 2P35 , BTGD 2P45 , BTGD 3P65 , BTGD 3P66 , BTGD 3Y55 , BTGD 3Y56 , BTGD 4P77 , COSC 1P02 , COSC 1P03 , COSC 2P03 , COSC 2P05 , COSC 3P71 , IASC 1P04 , IASC 1P05 , IASC 2P04 , IASC 2P05 , IASC 3P04 , IASC 4F03 , IASC 4P02 .
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
- Course requirements include those taught at Brock University and Niagara College.
- 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.
- 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).
- IASC 1P30 serves as a Sciences context credit (half-credit) for the Bachelor of Game Design program.
- 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).
- 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 Programming enables students to analyze and build games and to design and create the underlying program structures. Students gain fluency in basic art and technology tools specific to games. They will create games on varied platforms and develop a depth of knowledge in the concepts that underlie game mechanics involving computer science and related mathematics. GAME BSc students complete core computer science courses common to most computer science-related degrees. These fundamental courses prepare students for careers in game programming. Students will engage in practices associated with game programming while also participating fully in the entire game production process.
For Niagara College course descriptions see niagaracollege.ca/media-studies/programs/ba-game-design/
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