Gaming. Mobile. Animation. Computer. Bachelor of Science Degree Program. Areas of Focus. Master of Science Degree Program

Transcription

1 Mobile Gaming Computer Animation Bachelor of Science Degree Program Master of Science Degree Program Thanks to the widespread use of devices, consumers of all ages are drawn to games more than ever before. This industry brings its own unique challenges and opportunities, and needs professionals who understand the technological, psychological, and financial aspects of game to fulfill industry roles. In the Mobile Gaming master of science degree program, your courses directly relate to the roles and workflow found in a game studio from concept to advanced programming, QA testing, and. You ll expand on your programming skills and learn how to maximize the game experience by utilizing technologies such as GPS to enhance multier elements. You ll also explore how game theory research can be applied to improve the er experience, with special attention given to motivation and learning processes. All of this will prepare you to build your own game from start to finish. You ll work on the production of your game through directed engineering and programming exercises, and then go through the testing process. Once complete, you ll present your finished product and learn how to market and monetize it. Areas of Focus Foundations of Mobile Fine ArtsGaming Mobile ModelingGame Design & Development Animation Professional Development Effects Final Project/ Demo Reel Creation

2 ey PONENTS E GAMING Areas of Focus FOUNDATIONS OF MOBILE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT velopment FOUNDATIONS OF ife IONS OF ycles comprehensiv Mobile Gaming Foundations of games, and connect these technologies to various platforms, operating s, game, and learning how they influence the design, functionality, and delivery of a game. Your experience in the Mobile Gaming master s program begins with an examination of the components, benefits, and limitations of games. You ll examine different technologies available for the and delivery of You ll also study the psychological component of a game-ing experience, considering factors such as and game mechanics. The principles of game design will also be addressed, with a focus on narrative game design, world design, and design.

3 Areas of Focus L DEVELOPMENT Mobile Game Design & Development After building a foundation in programming and theory, you ll begin work on the production of your own game all while learning topics such as, engineering, performance, and more. Once you ve completed, you ll learn the role of quality assurance, repairing any errors, bugs, or overall ability issues. You ll work collaboratively with your fellow game testers to provide game feedback on each other s games, and learn to write analytical reports based on the testing and tools utilized in the program. FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MOBILE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MOBILE FOUNDATIONS OF syst s DE ENGAGEM Professional Development cross To succeed in a fast-paced industry such as game, you ll need a professional skill set that mirrors your technical aptitude. Through the FOUNDATIONS OF MOBILE Mobile Gaming master s program, your coursework prepares you for the business world through an emphasis on writing, presentation skills, research, and theory. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT MOBILE You ll also learn how to develop marketing for game products, with an emphasis on and monetization. You ll cross examine factors such as pricing and crossplatform, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT and learn how different media channels can help build and engagement with your game s audience. pl pattern comp TE strate aware awa ENGA

4 Areas of Focus Overview The Mobile Gaming master of science degree program enables students to develop advanced project management,, and production skills related to games that are featured on devices such as smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and portable media ers. During this 12-month program, students will expand upon previous programming knowledge by developing their own game through a project-based curriculum that is structured around the real-world game cycle. Students will conduct graduate-level gaming research, apply theoretical concepts to game design, explore emerging technologies, and develop their own game. Through realworld learning and a culminating thesis, students will have a firm understanding of game, including the communication and professional skills required for successful game delivery and monetization. Each course will also develop the student s academic research skills, tools, and methodologies as students will learn how to utilize academic research for a variety of contexts and learning activities. Objective Mobile gaming represents a rapidly growing industry with as many challenges as there are opportunities. The goal of the Mobile Gaming master of science degree program is to prepare students to address and overcome these challenges through a project-based curriculum that will enable students to be successful game developers. This goal will be accomplished by providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective and creative game design, production, and delivery. Through project-based learning and guided academic research, the Mobile Gaming master of science degree program curriculum will enable students to master the discipline and apply appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities to all phases of game. OVERVIEW & OBJECTIVE

5 Mobile Gaming Master of Science Degree Program PROGRAM CORE Code Course Credit Hours MBG 520 Advanced Programming for Mobile Games 3.00 MBG 530 Emerging Technologies for Mobile Games 3.00 MBG 550 Game Theory & Innovative Game Design 3.00 MDL 501 Mastery: Personal Development & Leadership 3.00 MBG 630 Mobile Game Development I 3.00 MBG 650 Mobile Game Development II 3.00 MBG 540 Mobile Game Discovery & Industry Analysis 3.00 MBG 660 Mobile Game Testing 3.00 MBG 610 Mobile Gaming Business 3.00 MBG 680 Mobile Gaming Thesis: Technical Writing & Professional Presentation 3.00 MBG 620 Storyboard & Game Design 3.00 MBG 580 User Interface Design & Visual Development 3.00 Chronological Schedule by Months MASTERY: PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT & LEADERSHIP ADVANCED PROGRAMMING FOR MOBILE S EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES FOR MOBILE S MOBILE DISCOVERY & INDUSTRY ANALYSIS THEORY & INNOVATIVE USER INTERFACE & VISUAL DEVELOPMENT MOBILE GAMING BUSINESS MOBILE THESIS: TECHNICAL WRITING & PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION STORYBOARD & MOBILE DEVELOPMENT I MOBILE DEVELOPMENT II Totals: TOTAL CREDIT HOURS: 36 TOTAL WEEKS: 48 This specific course uses the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS).

6 Course Descriptions Program Core MBG 520 Advanced Programming for Mobile Games The Advanced Programming for Mobile Games Course addresses various programming languages that will provide students with the knowledge and skills that pertain specifically to programming for games. Students admitted to the Mobile Gaming Master of Science degree program are required to be proficient in programming. Students will explore a wide variety of programming languages and the different platforms for which they are used. Languages include Objective-C, C#, Java, JavaScript, and C++. Programming Overview Programming for Mobile Games Objective-C C# and C++ Java and JavaScript MBG 530 Emerging Technologies for Mobile Games The Emerging Technologies for Mobile Games Course looks specifically at technologies available for the and delivery of games. Students will explore the different technologies, including smartphones, PDAs, tablet computers, and portable media ers. Students will connect these technologies to various platforms, operating s, game, and and learn how they influence the design, functionality, and delivery of a game. Students will also learn how to utilize GPS technologies for locationbased games as well as connectivity technologies for multier games. Lastly, students will explore the limits technologies place on game design, with special attention given to processing power, resolutions, formats, compatibility issues, and graphics limitations. Mobile Technologies Platforms, Operating Systems, Engines, and (3D) Technologies (Bluetooth/GPRS/WAP) Limits to Mobile Games MBG 550 Game Theory & Innovative Game Design In the Game Theory and Innovative Game Design Course, students will begin to form their ideas for a game. Through theoretical foundations and creative processes, this course will allow students to develop their games, focusing on interactivity, engagement, and applied game theory. Students will engage with the latest neuroscience research on the psychology of gaming and will use this research to inform their game design. Students will also learn and game place mechanics through a er-centered perspective, with special attention given to motivation and learning processes. Throughout the course, the principles of game design will be addressed, focusing on narrative game design, world design, and design. Other topics will include decision making, flow theory, and game art. Game Theory Foundations Psychology of Gaming Principles of Game Design Play Patterns and Game Play Mechanics MDL 501 Mastery: Personal Development & Leadership At the level of a master s degree, the objective of a graduate education is for a student to be able to demonstrate a mastery of a specific field of study. In the Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership Course, students will explore the concept of mastery from an interdisciplinary perspective, utilizing historical case studies, anthropology, leadership science, and neuroscience. Students will gain an understanding of what mastery means and how they can utilize this concept for their own personal, establishing a deep connection with their academic discipline and developing professional leadership skills. Specifically, students will examine the roles of apprenticeship, in-depth learning, creativity, immersion, reflection, and practice. They will also learn graduate-level academic research methodologies, tools, and processes and apply these to course learning activities. In addition to academic tools and research methodologies specific to the curriculum, students will learn and utilize the appropriate graduatelevel academic research approaches that are supportive for this level of education. The course serves as the students first step in their journey from student to practitioner, where they will gain a holistic understanding of what is required to be a successful graduate student and a master of their particular subject. Mastery Concepts Case Studies Leadership Principles In-Depth Immersion and Reflection Localization (GPS) and Connectivity

7 Course Descriptions Program Core MBG 630 Mobile Game Development I The Mobile Game Development I Course is the first of two courses in the Mobile Gaming Master of Science degree program that focus exclusively on the of the students own game. In this course, students will work on the production of their game through directed engineering and programming exercises. Topics will include, issues of engineering, and utilizing the appropriate programming language. Mobile Game Engineering Mobile Game Programming Mobile Game Development MBG 650 Mobile Game Development II The Mobile Game Development II Course is the second of two courses in the Mobile Gaming Master of Science degree program that focus exclusively on the of the students own game. In this course, students will further the of their game by completing directed engineering and programming exercises. Topics will include object-oriented programming, merging classes, memory limitations, screen limitations, obtaining resources, solo testing, and improved performance. Object-Oriented Programming Development Limitations Solo Testing Improved Performance MBG 540 Mobile Game Discovery & Industry Analysis In the Mobile Game Discovery and Industry Analysis Course, students will conduct significant industry research and analysis to help inform the design of their own game. Students will investigate different global gaming markets as well as the trends and of game design. Students will apply this research to the of their own game design, focusing specifically on game industry statistics and game design options for revenue generation. Upon completion of this course, students will have written their own market research report focused on the genre of their own game. Industry Structure Industry and Market Research Analysis and Mobile Game Application Market Research Report MBG 660 Mobile Game Testing The Mobile Game Testing Course focuses on the testing of students game. Students will address issues of quality assurance and attend to detected program errors, bug fixes, and overall game improvement. Students will work collaboratively as game testers to provide game feedback on each other s games. Students will also learn to write analytical reports based on the testing and tools utilized during this course. Testing types and tools include functionality testing, environmental testing, performance testing, OTA testing, simulators, and emulators. Mobile Game Testing Quality Assurance Performance Estimation Game Tester Feedback Game Play Quality Analysis Technical Writing Analytical Skill Development MBG 610 Mobile Gaming Business The Mobile Gaming Business Course introduces students to the business of gaming, with an emphasis on and monetization. Students will learn how games are distributed and priced, looking at how these various modes of distribution and pricing affect downloads and purchases. Students will also look at options for platform and how to utilize social media to draw attention to their games. Issues of game cloning, copyright, and patents will also be explored. Modes of Distribution and Pricing Structures Cross-Platform Deployment Social Media and Mobile Gaming Copyright and Patents MBG 680 Mobile Gaming Thesis: Technical Writing & Professional Presentation In the Mobile Gaming Thesis: Technical Writing and Professional Presentation Course, students will complete their game projects by developing the element of formal presentation. Students will expand upon the creative and technical assets they created in previous courses as they write and present the specifications of their game. In doing so, students will develop their game-writing skills and clearly demonstrate their technical proficiency through written and oral communication. Students will also learn how to present to various professional audiences of the gaming industry through multiple modalities. Mobile Game Project Organization Game Writing Technical Specification Compilation and Presentation

8 Course Descriptions Program Core MBG 620 Storyboard & Game Design The Storyboard and Game Design Course focuses exclusively on the of the students own game design. Building upon the knowledge and research conducted in the previous courses, students will be able to effectively design and develop their game. Students will begin this process by creating game storyboards and scripts that clearly illustrate their visions and ideas. Wireframes and mock-ups will also be created to demonstrate the game s design and architecture. Students will collaborate with one another to provide constructive criticism on each game s design and will learn how to apply this feedback to make improvements to their own games. Topics include game level design, game environments, and character. Storyboard Principles and Methods Collaborative Critique and Revision Storyboard Creation Wireframes and Mock-Ups Methodologies MBG 580 User Interface Design & Visual Development The User Interface Design and Visual Development Course enables students to design and begin to create their game user interface and graphic elements. First, this course covers user-interface design principles and topics such as clarity, interaction, attention, control, manipulation, consistency, and visual hierarchy. Second, the course prompts students to conduct their own user analysis, attending to which styles and looks will appeal to the potential gamer as well as how the gamer will interact with the game. Lastly, students will apply this information for the visual of their game. UI/UX Design Principles Mobile Game Asset Design Mobile Game User Analysis UI Design This specific course uses the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS).