DIGITAL GAME DESIGN

DIGITAL GAME DESIGN

Being a symbiosis of art and technology, the gaming industry not only captures an increasing share of the market year after year, but continues to develop its unique language of storytelling. It represents a favorable environment for the actualization of creative potential.

This department at ARUCAD offers students intensive training and practice in all components of game design, from concept development and interface design to creative pitching of their product.

Game designer
Concept artist
2D/3D texture artist
VFX artist
Game tester
Game programmer
Game producer
Game animator

BRIEFLY
  • Medium of Instructions English
  • Programme Duration 4 YEARS
  • English Preparatory School YES
Academic Staff Academic Staff
Programme Curriculum Programme Curriculum
ABREVIATIONS

UC: University Core                       FC: Faculty Core     AC: Area Core                T: Theory          L: Lab

UE: University Elective                   FE: Faculty Elective AE: Area Elective           P: Practice         C: Credits

YEAR 1
FALL
Course NoSemesterCourse CodeCourse NameCourse CategoryCreditPre-requisite
TPLCECTS
11GAME101Introductıon to Game Design AC22038
21GAME103Discrete MathematicsAC30035
31GAME105Game History & AnalysisAC30035
41COMM101Fundamentals of CommunicationFC30035
51PLAS111Drawing IAC22033
61SOFL101Academic English IUC30034
Total Credits16401830
SPRING
72GAME102Sign, Representation & SymbolsAC30035
82GAME1042D Character DesignAC22034
92COMM102History of CommunicationFC30035
102VCDE132Computer Graphics and ImagesAC22036
112FIDE212Storyboarding TechniquesAC22036
122SOFL102Academic English IIUC30034
Total Credits15601830
YEAR 2
FALL
133GAME201Story Structure in Game Design AC22035
143GAME203Introduction to Game Programing AC22036
153COMM201Theories of Communication FC30035
163VCDE211Vectorial Drawing AC22035VCDE132
173TUDI/TURK 201Turkish Language IUC20022
183AIIT/HIST 201Atatürk’s Principles & History of Revolution IUC20022
193Departmental Elective IAE35
Total Credits1930
SPRING
204GAME202Concept Art for Digital GamesAC22035
214GAME2042D Game AnimationAC22036
224GAME2063D Character ModelingAC22035
234COMM202Sociology of Communication FC30035
244TUDI/TURK202Turkish Language IIUC20022
254AIIT/HIST202Atatürk’s Principles & History of Revolution IIUC20022
264Departmental Elective IIAE35
Total Credits1930
YEAR 3
FALL
275GAME3013D Modeling, Texturing & Lighting -IAC14035
285GAME303Game Coding IAC22035
295GAME305Project and Portfolio I: Game DesignAC22035
305GAME307Composition with Sight and SoundAC22035
315Departmental Elective IIIAE35
325Faculty Elective IFE35
Total Credits1830
SPRING
336GAME3023D Modeling, Texturing & Lighting –IIAC14035GAME301
346GAME304Game Coding IIAC22035GAME303
356GAME306Project and Portfolio II: Game DesignAC22035
366GAME308Interface with Game EnginesAC14035
376Departmental Elective IVAE35
396Faculty Elective IIFE35
Total Credits1830
YEAR 4
FALL
407GAME401Project and Portfolio III: Game DesignAC22037
417GAME403Preliminary Senior Project AC22038
427Departmental Elective VAE35
437Faculty Elective IIIFE35
447University Elective IUE35
Total Credits1530
SPRING
458GAME402Psychology for Game DesignAC30035
468GAME404Senior ProjectAC040210GAME403
478Departmental Elective VIAE35
488Faculty Elective IVFE35
498University Elective IIUE35
Total Credits1430

 

  1. AREA ELECTIVES

 

Course NoSemesterCourse Code and NameCredit
TPLKECTS
1.3GAME205 – Pixel Art & Animation22035
2.3GAME207 – Traditional Board Game Design22035
3.4GAME208 – Sound Production for Games 22035
4.4GAME212 – Introduction to Matte Painting22035
5.5GAME309 – Game Optimization Techniques22035
6.5GAME311 – 3D Animation14035
7.6GAME312 – Texture Painting22035
8.6GAME314 – Environment & Level Design 14035
9.7GAME405 – Virtual Reality & Gaming30035
10.7GAME406 – Scripting for Designers22035
11.8GAME407 – Architectural Features & Reality Perception22035
12.8GAME408 – Game Production & Prototyping 22035

 

COURSE BREAKDOWN

Total
NumberCreditECTS Credits
All Courses49139240
University Core Common Courses61416
University Elective Courses2610
Faculty Core Common Courses41220
Faculty Elective Courses41220
Area Core Courses 3077144
Area Elective Courses61830
Semester12345678Average
Number of courses667666555.875
Total credits181819191818151417.375
Total ECTS Credits303030303030303030

 

  1. COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 

  1. COMM 101 – FUNDAMENTALS OF COMMUNICATION

This course aims to teach students communication theories and the elements, modes and forms of communication. The aim of this course is to introduce students to the field of communication and basic concepts of communication. The course starts from the foundations of communication; and includes language, discourse and representation problems.

  1. GAME 101 – INTRODUCTION TO GAME DESIGN

This course examines the active role of game designers by breaking down game ideas into discrete, functional, and logical systems. Since designers are responsible for all features of any given game, such as player goals, choices, and game rules, students will observe and analyze different game designs to understand how these elements interact.

  1. GAME 103 – DISCRETE MATHEMATICS

Students will explore propositional and symbolic logic, sets and relations, sequences, functions, algorithms, matrices, number theory, combinatorics, and probability in game.

 

  1. GAME 105 – GAME HISTORY & ANALYSIS

The course deals with the history of video games through game analysis. The course, designed as a modular, will handle 7 generations of video games and consoles starting from the 60’s with a historical perspective and bringing them to the present day. The course discussions include references to the market, youth culture, gender and similar sociological phenomena in relation to video games (both as entertainment and as an art form). Discussions will be enriched by reading and observing / playing the games in the lesson. The Game types (MMO, FPS, TPS, platform, RPG, RTS, adventure, jigsaw, etc.) and television and handheld consoles will also be covered in detail. Students will have a better understanding of the whole field of game and its history.

  1. PLAS 111 – DRAWING I

At the end of this course; student can have effective skills of observing, analyzing, have the skills to define, detect and solve problems in the process of creating artistic work.

  1. COMM 102 – HISTORY OF COMMUNICATION

This course aims to teach students the history of communication studies and the elements, modes and forms of communication. The aim of this course is to introduce students the field of communication from basic concepts of communication. The course starts from the history the communication; and includes language, discourse and representation problems.

  1. GAME 102 – SIGN, REPRESENTATION & SYMBOLS  

This course focuses on the theoretical part of Sign, Symbols & Representation. Teaching the basics of Semiotics and preparing the student for their future projects with a better understanding and how and what can work and create a meaning. It focuses on Sign and mainly the creating of meaning to sign, symbols and representations.

  1. GAME 104 – 2D CHARACTER DESIGN

This course offers all the essential and basics for creating a 2D character with interesting personalities and shapes to be used in the stories. The course also includes expression theories as well as drawing techniques to develop a character.

  1. VCDE 132 – COMPUTER GRAPHICS AND IMAGE

This course introduces students to the Raster image editing techniques. Throughout the course students will learn how to manipulate every kind of raster (pixel based) image. They will be asked to create conceptual collages and basic graphic design eter. Gaining skills for editing digital photography, rendering basic digital painting, and developing practical knowledge on how to use raster image editing techniques for various design assignments are the main objectives of this course.

  1. FIDE 212 – STORYBOARDING TECHNIQUES

This course covers all the details of storyboarding. Students will learn all the rules and techniques both theoretical and practical and also they will learn the process of transforming stories into cinematic form, through traditional drawing and digital tools.

  1. COMM 201 – THEORIES OF COMMUNICATION

The purpose of this course is to introduce you to the major communication theories and their histories that are the foundation to understanding the discipline of communication. These theories can be applied to interpersonal, group, organizational, intercultural, and mass communication contexts. You will be expected to understand the key concepts of each theory.

  1. GAME 201 – STORY STRUCTURE IN GAME DESIGN

In this course students will learn about storytelling mechanism and its elements in different video game genres. Students will also explore traditional narrative storytelling (the 3 act story structure) to use it in their game ideas.

  1. GAME 203 – INTRODUCTION TO GAME PROGRAMMING

This course covers the basics of data use as well as storage, operation, and control flow. Focus is placed on problem-solving and encouraging students to apply and translate the concepts taught in this course to resolve issues across various programming and scripting languages.

  1. GAME 205 – PIXEL ART & ANIMATION

This course is a full introduction to all the available tools and software for pixel art technologies. The course also offers how to turn the pixel art into animation to be used in game design platforms.

  1. GAME 207 – TRADITIONAL BOARD GAME DESIGN

This course focuses on tabletop games and explores the features of this type of games. Students learn the difference of tabletop and digital games and be able to work in tabletop game development.

  1. VCDE 211 – VECTORIAL DRAWING

This course introduces students to the Vectorial drawing techniques. The course starts with training on drawing basic geometric forms using varying tools for creating vector shapes. Throughout the course as students learn to create more complex shapes, they will be asked either to re-draw or to create original graphic design elements like; patterns, icons, symbols, emblems, logos, perspective drawings and vector character designs. Creating state of art vector illustrations is the main objective of this course.

  1. COMM 202 – SOCIOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION

This course aims to facilitate a sociological way of understanding mass media in the current society. This course will provide students with a foundation in various sociological theories of communication from the early 20th century up to today.

  1. GAME 202 – CONCEPT ART FOR DIGITAL GAMES

This course offers the students details and explanations about game art techniques and their importance. Also it covers necessary knowledge on how to create a visual representation to tell a student, how to create a look for a game.

  1. GAME 204 – 2D GAME ANIMATION

Introducing concepts like sprites and frame by frame animation. This course will be a practice through the 12 principles of animation by introducing the related software and going through various animating techniques. Along with, an introduction concept like sprites and frame by frame animation students will learn to use their animations in Unity and make them ready for game environments.

  1. GAME 206 – 3D CHARACTER DESIGN

This course aims at digital sculpting, three-dimensional organic shapes using Zbrush. By understanding the 3-dimensional aspects of an organic object in real and virtual space students will learn how to make polygon and mesh models.

  1. GAME 208 – SOUND PRODUCTION FOR GAMES

This course focuses on the creation process of sound utilizing experimental techniques as well as traditional ones including the mixing of sounds. Student will learn to navigate and produce sound and be able to create and mix their own sounds for games.

  1. GAME 212 – INTRODUCTION TO MATTE PAINTING

The students are introduced to the basic principles and techniques of digital matte painting which is used as a medium for games and cinema. Students Will learn and understand a natural environment and be able to include it in their work.

  1. GAME 301 – 3D MODELING, TEXTURING AND LIGHTING – I

This is a studio course which gives both theory and technical lessons of the three dimensional (3D) modeling software. It will cover all the basics such as creating shapes, different polygons, lights, colors and texture. As an in-depth introduction to creating 3D objects and structures. Teaching the Modeling process and texturing of 3D object in a computer environment. Student will learn How to model and create textures for 3d objects as well as being able to model in 3D Software.

  1. GAME 303 – GAME CODING I (PRE-REQUISITE GAME203) 

In this course students will learn how to create a basic game programming using code. Through this course, students will gain experience with procedural logic in a gaming language, linear thinking, and data-driven behavior.

  1. GAME 305 – PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO I: GAME DESIGN

In this course students will create a Digital Game in combination of courses taken before. The main focus will be on creating 2D games that utilize the techniques learned in animation and programing. This course builds an understanding on how the systems work in sync with each other and furthers the development of the student’s portfolio.

  1. GAME 307 – COMPOSITION WITH SIGHT AND SOUND

This course is designed to introduce the students to the world of motion pictures and time based media. Motion pictures and videos are now dominating the entire social media and internet from advertisements to public services and influencers. The sight, sound and motion course will teach the students how to shoot, edit, record and design sound and publish technique video and motion graphics to be used in their future career as an effective tool in visual communication.

  1. GAME 309 – GAME OPTIMIZATION TECHNIQUES

This course aims to teach students the importance of optimization by explaining all types of techniques from coding till rendering and occlusion. Students will have a better understanding on how hardware and software work together and how to utilize different solutions for better performance in games.

  1. GAME 311 – 3D ANIMATION

In this course students will learn about the principles of animation as well as basic understanding of timing. They will also learn to animate different objects as well as basic key making and rigging characters in 3D software.

  1. GAME 302 – 3D MODELING, TEXTURING AND LIGHTING – II (PRE-REQUISITE GAME301) 

This course in the continuation of 3D Modeling, Texturing and Lighting I. It will lead the students to the advanced level of using the 3D software by practicing different modeling techniques and also focusing on 3D camera and render engines.

  1. GAME 304 – GAME CODING II (PRE-REQUISITE GAME303)

In this course students will look at Networking and procedural instructions and the use certain game engines to create multiplayer game system. Through this work, students will gain experience in Networking and solving time delays.

  1. GAME 306 – Project and Portfolio II: Game Design 

In this course students will create a Digital Game in combination of courses taken previously. The main focus is on the progression of working in a team and managing creating 2D games that utilize the techniques learned in animation and programing. This course builds an understanding on how the systems work in sync with each other and furthers the development of the student’s portfolio.

  1. GAME 308 – INTERFACE WITH GAME ENGINES

This course focuses on the development of User interfaces & User experiences in games, teaching the theoretical with the pragmatic solutions. Students will be able to Understand common trends and techniques of Interface design and implement these into their future projects with a clear understanding on how the user navigates interfaces with different input mediums.

  1. GAME 312 – TEXTURE PAINTING

This course teaches students the techniques for creating texture and material specifically for video games by using traditional art skills coordinated with the industry standard tools.

  1. GAME 314 – ENVIRONMENT & LEVEL DESIGN

This course focuses on the creation of Virtual environments for digital games. Teaching the elements and user behaviors of players and focusing on the creation of environment suiting the game. Students will learn & understand how Game levels work and react with players and be able to create level designs.

  1. GAME 401 – PROJECT AND PORTFOLIO III: GAME DESIGN 

In this course, students will use knowledge gained from previous courses and integrate those findings to build an interactive original design that reflects sound level and systems design.

  1. GAME 403 – PRELIMINARY SENIOR PROJECT

This course is a preparation course for the senior project which focuses on preparing a complete documentation and timeline of their senior project. The course focuses on guiding student to create a digital game that is suitable as a project and create the foundation of their Senior.

  1. GAME 405 – VIRTUAL REALITY & GAMING

This course focuses on teaching the approaches in game towards virtual reality technologies. The aim is to create the foundation for the student to enter the virtual reality game market. This course features a comparison to virtual and augmented and teaches the basic software knowledge to create project in this field. Student will learn how to create projects suitable for virtual reality technologies.

  1. GAME 407 – ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES & PLAN READING

This course focuses on teaching student how to read architectural plans and understand how architectural feature work in virtual environment and how this feature increase immersiveness and realism to the work. Student will be able to create 3D models of structures from Floor plans and have a deeper understanding on how to use these in their own projects.

  1. GAME 402 – PSYCHOLOGY FOR GAME DESIGN

This Course focuses on theoretical aspect of psychology and digital games. Teaching the different digital game phenomena. This course allows student to understand why how and what is play and how it affect us as Humans.

  1. GAME 404 – SENIOR PROJECT

This course focuses on the Senior project and assessment of techniques and abilities of the student. The students refine and develop the project they started in the preliminary course and have to submit their refined publishable Digital games as a product.

  1. GAME 406 – SCRIPTING FOR DESIGNERS

This course focuses on more intermediate topics in computer science, such as algorithms, objects and classes, and testing and debugging.

  1. GAME 408 – GAME PRODUCTION AND PROTOTYPING

This course is focused on the Physical prototyping and management of a Game project. Developing concepts of Storyboarding, project sectioning, Visual planning, etc. This course allows students to understand the workflow of a project and prepare documentation regarding each Element in a production pipeline.

 

FACULTY ELECTIVE COURSES

 

  1. COMM 103 – MEDIA LITERACY 

In the course, media literacy, media literacy in the world and media literacy in Cyprus will be examined. Answer to the question of “why is media literacy necessary?” will be sought. In the course, the impact of mass media and presented content on social, cultural and economic life depending on the consumption habits of the target audience will be examined.

  1. DIME 203 – DIGITAL MEDIA MARKETING 

The aim of the Digital Media Marketing Course is to provide students the new approaches in marketing through emerging media channels. Students will be equiped with the knowledge about business advantages of the digital marketing and its importance for marketing success; to develop and execute a successful digital media marketing plans.

  1. DIME 206 – SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT MANAGEMENT 

This course is designed to help you understand how business is done around the world in almost every industry and have (and have not) changed due to the rise of social media and changes in various underlying contextual factors, such as dramatically increased speed of information dissemination across consumers and brands.

  1. ANIM 252 – STOP MOTION ANIMATION

This course is a full introduction to stop motion animation. Students will experience the process from its basic steps to advance, all they need to know to continue the subject as a profession will be covered in this course.

  1. COMM 308 – CREATIVE WRITING 

Creative Writing is a class activity course that discovers many different genres of literary writing. Students supposed to write every day and work on their writing assignments each weekly. Students will read selections from well-known, appreciated writers and follow their style and specific genre. Students supposed to be imaginative enough to write and create characters and settings. Moreover, students will learn to write in a multiplicity of styles, such as analysis essays, subjective narratives, creative fiction, short stories, and poetry.  Projects are anticipated to arrange for more practice with specific writing techniques that can be applied to many other literary genres.

  1. COMM 314 – CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

The aim of this course is to provide students with a detailed understanding of how the knowledge is produced and distributed, and it aims to introduce the verity of the media industries in which students might work in the future. Also this course is a study on how human creates and transforms the information.

  1. COMM 312 – MEDIA, LAW AND ETHICS

Media Law and Ethics is a main course for Faculty of Communication students, which aims to understand the ethical concepts including freedom, democracy, truth, objectivity, honesty and privacy. The course examines the ethical issues both in philosophical and practical ways to help maintaining the quality of information. Also, the course introduces students to the basic legal concepts on media industry and media content relating to legal regulation of the telecommunications industry, information technology, broadcasting, advertising, the entertainment industry, censorship, and internet and online services among others.

  1. ADVE 302  – PERSUASION AND PERCEPTION 

This course is about the persuasion and effectiveness of the advertorial presentations. The aim of the course is to study techniques of persuasion from the perceptual psychology point of view. Students are expected to create effective communication solutions with and persuasive presentations with varying target audiences. Subjects like planning for presentation, presentation techniques, creation resonance among the target audience, empathy, body language, and overcoming stage fear will also be covered during lessons.