Information Technology: Game Development

Artificial intelligence is continually developing within gaming and transforming how games are played. In this course, learners are introduced to common artificial intelligence techniques to simulate believable behaviors and actions within games. There is a focus on pathfinding and movement behaviors.

Prerequisites:

• DSSD1024B
• MULT1183B

Business for Game Developers provides learners with an introduction to the gaming business as entrepreneurs. Learners explore the necessities of business environments and components of business plans. This courses also provides insight into legal and financial issues, such as documentation, contracts, funding options, and hardware/software procurement.

This course focuses on introductory level two-dimensional graphics programming within game development. Within Graphics Programming: Fundamentals, learners explore sprite sheets, basic rendering skills, and game engine application.

Prerequisites:

• MULT1182A

This course focuses on the production and use of three-dimensional graphics and visual effects in association with a game engine. Learners explore normals, materials, lighting types, basic shaders and effects, and shadow-mapping to enhance images.­­

Prerequisites:

• CGGI1134A

Within Professional Communications, learners develop verbal and written communication skills essential to the game development industry. There is a focus on proper language, style, and form to ensure clarity as well as professionalism. In this course, learners also explore the importance and effective techniques for drafting, critiquing, editing, and revising documentation.

This course provides learners with the foundational concepts of programming data structures. Learners examine how to organize data efficiently so that it can be stored and retrieved effectively. Data Structures: Fundamentals has learners begin to explore how to select, design and implement data structures, abstract data types, and algorithms that are appropriate for problem solving.

Prerequisites:

• PROG1332A

In this course, learners explore algorithm design and analysis with various popular algorithms and data structures used in game development. Learners analyze the time and space complexity of an algorithm and learn how to test and choose the right solution for programming problems. Learners develop applications using industry standard concepts and techniques of computer programming.

Prerequisites:

• DSSD1023B

This course provides learners with an introduction to game design, including game concepts, storylines, character development, level design, gameplay, and interface design. To help guide the overall vision of a game, learners explore the essentials of a game design document as well as the elements and principles of design. Game Design provides the opportunity for learners to produce a well-documented game idea concept and gain an understanding of how to pitch their game idea to industry peers for constructive feedback.

This course focuses on the fundamentals of digital image production using software tools and techniques to create, enhance, and manipulate game ready assets. Digital Imaging includes working with raster images, compression techniques, and saving/exporting various file formats. Learners apply fundamental design principles, such as emphasis, balance, and alignment, in relation to working with textures, sprite sheets, and concept art.

This course explores the history and evolution of games from inception to present, combining social and cultural impacts, genre conventions, influencing trends, and technological advancements. Learners also explore controversial ethical issues in the gaming industry, such as censorship, social issues, copyright, and addiction, in relation to one’s ethical principles and responsibilities.

Fundamental Mathematics provides learners with the skills in arithmetic, algebra, functions, and relations necessary to proceed with further advanced studies related to mathematics. Within this course, learners explore fractions, decimals, percentage, ratio, proportions, algebraic expression, inequalities, sets, linear and quadratic equations, exponential, logarithm, and graphing of functions.

This course provides the learner the opportunity to study and apply the principles of mathematical logic, sets, numbers, and algorithmic reasoning to create a foundational understanding of the relationship between discrete structures and algorithm development.

Prerequisites:

• MATH1284A

The use of linear algebra in game development is essential as it relates to graphics, game physics, and artificial intelligence. Within this course, learners apply the principles and techniques related to linear algebra that are relevant to game development. There is emphasis on vectors and quaternions. In Linear Algebra, learners examine two-dimensional and three-dimensional mathematical models as well as their computation methods.

Prerequisites:

• MATH1284A

In this course, learners are introduced to the first phase in the game development pipeline. As learners begin the planning phase, they’ll define potential tools, genres, game concepts, storyboarding and user interface design through research and brainstorming. Within this course, learners produce documentation that supports the pre-production phase. 

Pre-Production: Pipeline also examines the various roles and responsibilities of team members as well as the usage of project management software to align project tasks and timelines amongst the team. This course emphasizes best practices related to setting goals, managing deadlines, budgeting, and prototyping.

In this course, learners are introduced to the second phase in the game development pipeline. Learners explore the various stages of the production pipeline and tasks required for a successful collaborative team environment. There is a focus on source and version control, optimization, debugging, alpha/beta reviews and release/deployment of a final game.

Prerequisites:

• MULT1179A

In this course, learners are introduced to the final phase in the game development pipeline, post-production. Learners focus on post-production debugging processes, analytics, game patching and balancing, and downloadable content (DLC). Also, learners explore final budgeting costs and the importance of marketing for game promotion.

Prerequisites:

• MULT1180A

A game engine is a specialized piece of software that supports a developer in the creation and modification of a game. In this course, learners are introduced to features, capabilities, and the interface of a specific game engine. With a focus on scripting in C#, learners create basic games using the game engine while incorporating fundamental features, physics, and audio components.

Prerequisites:

• PROG1332A

Progressing from Game Engine I: Fundamentals, learners create three dimensional games within a game engine exhibiting an organized structure and professional elements. Learners implement lighting, camera controls, multiple scene workflows, animation techniques, and more complex user interface concepts.

Prerequisites:

• MULT1182A

Instead of choosing one platform to deploy a game, often studios plan for deployment of games across multiple devices. This allows games to work on multiple devices and provides similar gaming experiences for users.
 
This course provides learners with the opportunity to plan and deploy game(s) using cross-platform development technology. Learners explore various game platforms/devices and cross-platform development technologies to determine their strengths, needs, and/or limitations. Within this course, learners consider data and resource management, user interface adaptations dependent on platforms, and optimizing game performance. Through use of a game engine, learners port a developed game to another targeted platform.

Prerequisites:

• MULT1183B

Practicum: Game Development allows learners to demonstrate their accumulated knowledge and skills through practical application in a professional setting. Learners work collaboratively, building skills in communication, and problem-solving, while adhering to professional practices and procedures. Throughout the experience, learners gain insight into the game development field while applying programming skills.

Industry Capstone: Game Development allows learners to demonstrate their accumulated knowledge and skills through practical application with a community/industry partner. Learners work collaboratively, building skills in communication and problem-solving, while adhering to professional practices and procedures. Throughout the experience, learners gain insight into working with clients on a game development project.

This course introduces network programming as related to gaming. There is an exploration into networking concepts, including components and protocols. Learners investigate the usage of networking and the transmission of data within games. In this course, there is a focus on the essential network programming techniques to support gameplay communications.

Prerequisites:

• DSSD1024B

This course provides an introduction to the meaning of community service.  Students learn how community service can enhance a student’s educational experience, personal growth, employability, and civic responsibility. Students participate in one day of volunteering to enhance their understanding of civic responsibility and to help the New Brunswick Community College realize its vision of transforming lives and communities.

Learners are challenged to apply human relations and interpersonal communications theory to workplace-based and real life situations. They use a problem solving perspective in suggesting and carrying out appropriate communication strategies and techniques.

Career Planning I: Preparation introduces learners to career exploration and planning. Learners apply the principles and techniques of self-promotion, job searching, freelancing, and networking, while learning how to develop targeted cover letters and resumes to pursue employment in the gaming industry. This course also explores phases of the interview process and regulated employment standards.

In this course, learners create, refine, and learn to maintain an evolving online portfolio. It explores strategies for building a brand identity and encourages learners to consider one’s professional online presence. Learners demonstrate industry skills through portfolios to engage and appeal to prospective employers and clients.

This course introduces the learners to the fundamentals of application design and programming. Students learn to use a development framework, interface and associated toolset for rapid application development. The course covers introductory elements of event driven programming including forms design, extensive use of controls, properties, methods, events, selection structures, loops, sub procedures, and functions.

This course provides conceptual and practical experience in the object-oriented language, C++. Learners utilize their previous programming knowledge to support learning of the C++ programming language. Programming: C++ has learners utilize algorithms, classes and methods, control structures, arrays, and pointers.

Game Programming: Advanced builds upon and extends learners' knowledge and skills in object-oriented programming in relation to game creation. Within this course, learners explore encapsulation, inheritance, polymorphism, and abstraction. Learners also utilize sorting methods, delegates, and lambda expressions within their programming as well as review common programming patterns.

Prerequisites:

• DSSD1024B

This course introduces learners to the practical and theoretical aspects of project management including production schedules, milestones/deliverables, and benchmarking. Learners explore the various project management methodologies, processes, and software in game management.

A safe and healthy workplace is the responsibility of the employer and the employee. This course introduces students to the importance of working safely and addresses how employers and employees can control the hazards and risks associated with the workplace. Students will also learn about the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders including WorkSafeNB, the employer and the employee in ensuring workplaces are safe.