Game Design and Development, AAS

CIP 500411 (GAM)

The Game Design and Development A.A.S. Degree prepare students for a broad range of careers in the Gaming industry, including independent game developer, computer programmer and game artist. Graduates of the degree may also elect to work in multimedia or graphic design capacities.

Students will develop 2D and 3D digital modeling, digital animation, and programming skills using an industry standard gaming engine. Course electives allow students to gain experience with art concepts, digital sound editing and additional 3D modeling tools.

Students will develop a Portfolio while completing the degree to show to prospective employers.

The number of local companies in Game development in Colorado is increasing; please check the Colorado Game developer association website for more information: https://www.igda.org/colorado. However, as U.S. game studios tend to be concentrated in specific cities, graduates may need to relocate to pursue a career in this field. Students can pursue a 4-year degree by transferring their courses to the University of Denver’s Animation and Game Development degree. Please see an advisor for more details.

Note: Because gaming technology changes more rapidly than that in other fields, students may be required to upgrade their PCs during the course of their program.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Arapahoe Community College

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (15-16 credit hours)

ART 121 - Drawing I 3 Credits
BUS 217 - Business Communication and Report Writing 3 Credits
COM 115 - Public Speaking 3 Credits OR
COM 125 - Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
ENG 121 - English Composition I: GT-CO1 3 Credits OR
ENG 131 - Technical Writing I 3 Credits
MAT 121 - College Algebra: GT-MA1 4 Credits OR higher

Major Courses (32 credit hours)

CIS 289 - Capstone 3 Credits
CSC 119 - Introduction to Programming 3 Credits OR
CSC 116 - Programming Logic 3 Credits
CSC 126 - Game Design and Development 3 Credits
CSC 160 - Computer Science I (Language) 4 Credits (JAVA)
CSC 161 - Computer Science II (Language) 4 Credits (JAVA)
CSC 200 - Game Programming I 3 Credits
CSC 227 - 3D Game Programming 3 Credits
MGD 143 - Motion Graphic Design I: (Software) 3 Credits
MGD 111 - Adobe Photoshop I 3 Credits
MGD 153 - 3-D Animation I 3 Credits

Elective Courses (13 credit hours)

Students must take 12-13 credits from the following

ART 221 - Drawing II 3 Credits
ART 131 - Visual Concepts 2-D Design 3 Credits
BUS 120 - Introduction to E-Commerce 3 Credits
CIS 118 - Introduction to PC Applications 3 Credits
CIS 202 - Automated Project Management: MS Project 3 Credits
CSC 160 - Computer Science I (Language) 4 Credits (C++)
CSC 236 - C# Programming 4 Credits
MAR 106 - Marketing Your Image 3 Credits
MAR 216 - Principles of Marketing 3 Credits
MAT 201 - Calculus I: GT-MA1 5 Credits OR higher
MGD 101 - Introduction to Computer Graphics 3 Credits
MGD 112 - Adobe Illustrator I 3 Credits
MGD 163 - Sound Design I 3 Credits
MGD 243 - Web Motion Graphic Design II 3 Credits
or any CSC course approved by Department

Total: 60 credit hours

Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must apply for graduation and complete the graduation survey (available via myACC). (form available at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation)
After applying for graduation, all correspondence to a student about the status of their program conferral will be sent to their student email address only.
As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.