Program

Associate of Applied Science in Digital Game Design

You’ll be prepared to enter the world of interactive video games as you become immersed in digital game design and development through the Digital Game Design program at Hocking College.

This two-year program is designed to allow you to gain hands-on experience with cutting edge equipment and programs used in the digital video game creation world today. Using MAYA, Z-Brush and Adobe Creative Suite, you’ll be working with real-world equipment as you work on the artistic and creative end of gaming. This video game design degree program focuses on game design while introducing you to fundamental game design programming skills.

Digital Foundations A foundations course on the Mac operating system, peripherals and software. Determine the opportunities and parameters defined by specific software for the gaming artist, and dig into bit-mapped and vector graphics and the benefits and challenges of each.

Video Game Design & Production Discover video game design in terms of structure and playability. How is a game constructed? What makes a digital game attractive to potential consumers? How are top-notch games structured, including balance, complexity, addictiveness, originality and graphical style? This course also explores the history of video games and their impact on the entertainment industry.

Computer Graphics In these courses, you’ll cover 2D and 3D graphic concepts, techniques and algorithms, essential to digital game design. Learn everything, from more introductory skills like point plotting, line drawing, clipping and sprite animation to more advanced skills like texture mapping, curves and surfaces, image processing, volumetric lighting and much more.

Introduction to MAYA The Maya 3D software is used for modeling, animation, visual effects and rendering techniques used for video game design. Gain extensive experience with this 21st century program, and be prepared to use it as you work on intensive projects in state-of-the-art labs.

Start your career in digital game design by applying online.

Program Outcomes

The following outcomes are skills, behaviors, and attitudes cultivated in students seeking the Associate of Applied Science in Digital Game Design:

• Creates, designs, and repairs digital gaming components and systems;
• Fabricates and tests prototypes;
• Follows the standards of industry  quality and usability;
• Demonstrates computer skills that enable game design and development;
• Applies sound business and economic principles to achieve  and maintain profitability in the gaming industry; and,
• Demonstrates effective verbal and written communication skills as an individual and as a team member.

Curriculum

• 2011 Transition
• 2012 Curriculum

Career Opportunities

As the digital gaming industry field expands, so do the options for career pathways.  Possible careers for graduates of the Hocking College Digital Game Design program include:

• Game designer - average salary $46,000
• Level Designer- average salary $41,500
• Environment Artist- average salary $44,300
• Modeler- average salary $46,000
• Video game journalist - average salary $38,000
• Game Tester- average salary $36,000