IGDA Education SIG Game Design Workshop

at DiGRA 2007-Tokyo

September 28, 2007

Susan GoldTracy Fullerton

Magy Seif El-Nasr

Who are we and why are we here?

• Tracy FullertonAssistant Professor USC School of Cinematic Arts, Interactive Media DivisionCo-Director, Electronic Arts Game Innovation Labtfullerton@cinema.usc.edu

Who are we and why are we here?

• Magy Seif El-NasrAssistant ProfessorSimon Fraser UniversitySchool of Interactive Arts

& Technology

magy@sfu.ca

Who are we and why are we here?

• Susan GoldAcademic CoordinatorGarage Games

susang@garagegames.com• But ALSO

Chair of IGDA Education SIG

goldfile@gmail.com

IGDA Education SIG

• One of many special interest groups from within Game Development

» * Alternate Reality Games (ARGs)

» * Artificial Intelligence

» * Casual Games

» * Education

» * Game Accessibility

» * Game Preservation

» * Human Resources

» * Indies

» * IP Rights

» * Mobile Game Development

» * Online Games

» * Production

» * Quality Assurance

» * Sex in Games

» * Students

» * Tools

» * Women in Game Development

» * Writing

Mission

To create a community resource that will strengthen the academic membership of the IGDA while enhancing the education of future and current game developers.

Resources

• http://www.igda.org/education

Education Workshop at GDC

• http://www.igda.org/education/workshop

Curriculum Knowledge Base

• http://www.igda.org/index.php/Curriculum_Knowledge_Base

2002-20032002-2003

• Academic Summits are held at the annual Game Developers Conference– 2003 the IGDA Curriculum Framework

(version 2.3 beta) is published

• Adoption into curricula around the world

What is the framework?

• Core Topics– Critical Game Studies - Criticism, Analysis & History – Game Design - Principles and Methodologies– Game Programming - Aspects of CS + specific areas

that address gaming– Visual Design– Audio Design– Interactive Storytelling– Game Production– Business of Gaming

A Key Component: Soft Skills

• Speaking & Communication • Writing• Collaboration

Interdisciplinary Work & Courses

• The ability to understand and work with a team of different disciplines

• Acknowledging and respecting those disciplines

• Communication Skills• Breadth of Medium

Programs Overview

• Many different programs• Based on different disciplines

– CS– Design– Film– Sound & Music– Architecture, etc....

• Philosophies– Experimental design focused– Industry pipeline focused– Research oriented– Serious games