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Game Design and Development Capstone

In the game design and development capstone, you will create an original game from initial concept through implementation and then launch it to the world! Along the way, you will have the opportunity to put your game ideas in front of your peers and for the best-of-the-best you will have the chance to get feedback from game industry professionals. The capstone experience gives you the opportunity to push your skills further and demonstrate your newfound skills as a game developer. The capstone also contains guest talks from game industry professionals at Riot Games, Deep Silver Volition, Iron Galaxy, Radiant Entertainment, Goodgame Studios, Stardock, GREE, Heart Shaped Games, Kongregate, and more.

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Suitable for experienced learners who wish to further advance their game design and development skills

Led by instructors Casey O'Donnell and Brian Winn, who are respected figures in the game development industry

Provides an opportunity to showcase game ideas and receive feedback from industry professionals

Includes guest lectures from renowned game industry professionals

Prepares learners for the practical aspects of game design and development

Allows learners to build a portfolio piece that demonstrates their game development abilities

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Reviews summary

Capstone experience to showcase skills

This capstone course offers students the opportunity to create their own game and launch it to the world. The course includes guest talks from game industry professionals and provides students with the chance to get feedback on their work. Students appreciate the opportunity to showcase their skills and have a published game at the end of the course.

Industry professionals provide feedback.

"The capstone experience gives you the opportunity... to get feedback from game industry professionals."

Students develop an original game.

"In this capstone project you're mostly on your own, utilizing what you've learned in the first four courses."

8 weeks may be challenging for beginners.

"8 weeks might not be much, especially for beginner developers..."

Peer reviews may vary in quality.

"The peer reviews worked fine for me, but other people had less than stellar experiences and I can see how it might not always be the best way to grade projects."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Game Design and Development Capstone with these activities:

Review Calculus Concepts

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Ensures that you can use integral and differential calculus techniques to determine critical values, maximum and minimum points, and points of inflection

Browse courses on Calculus

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Review your notes from previous calculus courses
Work through some practice problems
Take a practice quiz or exam

Review 3D Modeling Concepts

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Refreshes vital concepts of 3D modeling that are essential for creating game assets

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Review your notes from previous 3D modeling courses
Watch some tutorials on 3D modeling software
Create a simple 3D model

Complete LeetCode Problems

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Strengthens your coding skills and problem-solving abilities to prepare you for the practical aspects of game development

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Choose a problem from LeetCode
Read the problem statement and understand the requirements
Design and implement an algorithm to solve the problem

Three other activities

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Create a Game Design Document

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Provides an opportunity to apply your understanding of game design principles and create a comprehensive plan for your game

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Brainstorm ideas for your game and define the core gameplay mechanics
Create a prototype of your game, building upon the ideas from the GDD
Playtest your game with others, gather feedback, and iterate on the design

Develop a Game Prototype

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Allows you to put your skills to the test and create a tangible representation of your game concept

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Design the core gameplay elements of your game
Implement the game prototype using a game engine
Create a playable demo of your game and share it with others

Participate in Study Groups

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Fosters collaboration, provides multiple perspectives, improves understanding through discussions, and enhances critical thinking skills

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Find a study group or organize one with classmates
Meet regularly to discuss course materials, review concepts, and work on projects
Take turns leading discussions and presenting different topics

Career center

Learners who complete Game Design and Development Capstone will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Game Designer/Developer

Game Designer/Developers are responsible for both the design and development of video games. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Designer/Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer/Developer

Game Developer

Game Developers conceptualize, design, develop, test, and produce video games. The Game Design and Development Capstone allows learners to create an original game, from concept to launch. Through this process, learners can develop the skills necessary to succeed as a Game Developer, including game design, development, and testing.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Developer

Game Artist

Game Artists are responsible for creating the visual elements of video games, including the characters, environments, and objects. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Artist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Artist

Game Producer

Game Producers are responsible for the overall production of video games, including managing the budget, schedule, and team. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to manage the production of their own games, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Producer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Producer

Game Tester

Game Testers are responsible for testing video games to find and fix bugs, ensuring that the games are fun and playable. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to test and provide feedback on their own games, as well as the games of their peers, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Tester.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Tester

Game Programmer

Game Programmers are responsible for writing the code that makes video games work. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to develop a game from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Programmer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Programmer

Game Writer

Game Writers are responsible for writing the story and dialogue for video games. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Writer

Game Engineer

Game Engineers are responsible for the technical aspects of video game development, including the game's engine, physics, and graphics. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to develop a game from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Engineer

Game Analyst

Game Analysts are responsible for analyzing and evaluating video games, providing feedback to developers on how to improve their games. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to test and provide feedback on their own games, as well as the games of their peers, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Analyst

Game Localization Manager

Game Localization Managers are responsible for translating video games into different languages and cultures. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Localization Manager.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Localization Manager

Game Publisher

Game Publishers are responsible for marketing and distributing video games. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to launch their own games to the world, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Publisher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Publisher

Game Designer

Game Designers are responsible for the overall design and development of video games, including the game's story, characters, levels, and gameplay. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Game Designer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Designer

Indie Game Developer

Indie Game Developers are independent video game developers who create and publish their own games. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as an Indie Game Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Indie Game Developer

Mobile Game Developer

Mobile Game Developers are responsible for developing video games for mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to create an original game, from concept to launch, giving them the experience and skills necessary to succeed as a Mobile Game Developer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mobile Game Developer

Game Design Professor

Game Design Professors teach game design at universities and colleges. The Game Design and Development Capstone provides learners with the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of game design principles and practices, preparing them for a career as a Game Design Professor.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Design Professor

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Game Design and Development Capstone.

Game Design Workshop

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the game design process, from concept to implementation. It is particularly useful for students who are new to game design or who want to learn more about the playcentric approach.

Game Design and Development Capstone

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Reviews summary

Capstone experience to showcase skills

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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