Mastering Game Development and Design Through Harvard University

Game Development – A Specialization From Harvard University

Developed by Harvard University and offered through the edX platform, this free online course will teach you how to develop 2D and 3D games. Through lectures and hands-on projects, you will learn to program games using frameworks such as Unity and Love2D, along with programming languages like Lua and C#.

2D Games

Video game graphics can be divided into two categories: 2D and 3D. 2D games use flat graphics called sprites that are displayed on the screen without three-dimensional geometry. In contrast, 3D games provide a realistic and immersive gaming experience. The choice of one type of game design depends on the goals of the game developer and the desired gaming experience.

2D games are easier to play, which makes them suitable for beginners and can attract more audience. They are also cheaper and faster to make, and updates can be implemented more easily. This is why many popular mobile games like Angry Birds and Undertale are 2D.

Whether you are in the mood for a relaxing puzzle game, high-octane racing or epic battles, there is a 2D or 3D game to satisfy your craving. You can even try out a new genre of game, such as the 2.5D games that use both 2D and 3D graphics.

3D Games

In this specialization, you will build games with a team of other students. You will follow best practices, from brainstorming and early prototyping to the development of a playable game. You will also learn how to create 3D graphics and audio. The course is a combination of an Introduction to Computer Science and the fundamentals of Game Programming.

Students will build a variety of games, including a dodgeball game and a game modeled after the popular infinity run game. They will learn a lot of important coding concepts, such as if/then and looping, as well as how to design gameplay that is fun, exciting, and engaging.

Many colleges offer undergraduate majors in video game development, including the University of Utah and Michigan State, large public universities such as UW-Stout, tech colleges such as Worcester Polytechnic and Drexel, and small private schools like Hampshire College. Some of these colleges also have impressive facilities for developing and testing video games.

Game Design

Game design is the process of creating a game. It involves fleshing out the game’s mechanics, defining how it starts and ends, and setting up winning conditions. It also includes creating a game’s rules and instructions. Game design is often iterative, with revisions made throughout the development process.

A successful game design must balance player experience, playability, and learning. It must be fun, challenging, and engaging while also providing clear instruction and feedback to the players. This is a challenge that many game designers struggle with.

The Harvard college video game development club was founded by Chris Rodowicz ’17 and is an active student group. Members meet every Saturday evening in the Science Center basement to work on various projects. They use a variety of development frameworks and tools to develop their games. They also host a weekly tournament for students to participate in. eSports is slowly gaining popularity in the United States and is a promising field for the future of gaming.

Game Programming

Game programming is the software development that supports video games. Almost all of the games we play on consoles, computers, and mobile phones are created by skilled game programmers. Game programming requires substantial skill in software engineering and computer programming. Some college undergraduate majors have an entire track devoted to game design and development. Other universities offer graduate programs in game design and programming. Some coding boot camps also offer intensive training in game development.

Game programmers often have a significant say in a game’s final design. They must be familiar with multiple languages and platforms, side-step buggy language implementations and refactor code to meet performance requirements and the limitations of hardware.

As technology has improved and players’ expectations have grown, game development teams have become increasingly specialized. Initially, art production was relegated to full-time artists and then game programming became a separate discipline from game design. Programmers may have to create prototypes, document specifications, and create unit tests and procedures.

Discover more

Boosting Computational Thinking and Diversity in Video Game Development at NC State

Video Game Development at NC State

Using a custom-designed video game, NC State students boost computational thinking in middle school science classrooms. They’re also exploring ways to use games to foster gender and racial diversity in computer science.

Students take core computer science courses, as well as a selection of specialized games-focused projects and the management of a semester-long, team-based project. This enables students to explore all aspects of computer game development, from the creation of game engines to the design of stand-alone games.

Programs

For students wishing to pursue their video game design careers, there are several programs available at both the undergraduate and graduate level. For example, New Jersey Institute of Technology offers three multidisciplinary video game design degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design and a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with an emphasis on Game Art and Design and a BS in Computer Science with an AI, Robotics, and Gaming concentration. These programs combine IT and design disciplines in a collaborative effort to teach game production, design, and programming.

The program at Full Sail University is also a top choice for students looking to develop their technical skills in the field of video game design. The school’s curriculum is highly intensive and includes a half-year cooperative project, which gives students the opportunity to apply their newly acquired skills in the field of video game development. Moreover, the school’s program is an Unreal Academic Partner, which makes it one of the only schools in North Carolina that is recognized by the software company.

The Arcade

The Arcade is a revitalized historic point of pride for downtown Dayton and one-of-its-kind innovation center designed to drive Dayton into the future. It is a hybrid space where visitors and businesses coexist and feed off of each other. It is also home to many of the city’s most popular restaurants and a variety of entertainment venues.

Playing arcade games can boost morale and productivity in the workplace by encouraging employees to think creatively and build problem-solving skills. It can also stimulate the brain and improve reflexes. In addition, it is an effective way to promote team building and enhance communication.

All guests are expected to behave responsibly and respectfully in the Arcade complex. Those who engage in loud, obscene or abusive language will be asked to leave the premises. Those who violate local, state or federal laws will be subject to ejection from the complex. Guests may be subject to additional security measures as needed.

The Video Game Development Club

The Video Game Development Club is an opportunity for students with a variety of interests to come together. They can contribute with their own unique skills to the gaming process, such as 3D modeling and design, character or world design, music, sound effects, story writing and other creative processes. They can also help with programming, coding and other core technical aspects of the gaming process.

The students that participate in the game development club are learning a very important skill – coding. They are using Unity – the world’s most popular coding platform and CSharp – one of the most powerful, professionally-used coding languages.

Students learn a variety of concepts that are applied to their work with Unity such as geometry, algebra and advanced mathematics. Having these skills will give them more confidence when applying for jobs in the future, since they can have a tangible product that employers can see and use as part of their portfolio or demo reel.

The Game Lab

The Game Lab is a place for students to broaden their perspective and learn about the role games can play in our society. Whether through conducting research, enrolling in a class, or simply stopping by for an open house, students are welcomed with all the gaming equipment they need to make their ideas come to life.

The lab uses Kodu, a visual programming language that teaches students to create programmatic images and interactive art. Starting off with simple shapes, students progress to sprite-based designs and then to advanced graphical programs using the same design process that computer scientists follow daily.

Through the use of this intuitive software, students practice design iteration, recognizing that failure is an important part of the programming process. It’s an approach that can be applied to all types of projects. It’s not just for video games; it can be used to create apps, 3D environments and more. Students also gain a deeper understanding of how to code in the real world.

Keep reading