Worcester Polytechnic Institute has launched a new bachelor’s degree program in Computer Game Design. Offered under the cognomen Interactive Media and Game Development, the program nationally unique in being associated with an accredited Computer Science Department and in offering both technical and artistic concentrations. The B.S. degree in interactive media and game development (IMGD) will be introduced for the 2005-06 academic year, following approval of the new major earlier in November by the WPI faculty. This is the first major of its kind in the U.S. -- a four-year undergraduate program significantly blending both the artistic and technical aspects of game creation, and allowing students to concentrate in either area at the same institution. It will be jointly administered by WPI's Computer Science Department and Humanities and Arts Department, and the major's faculty will hail from both of these departments. WPI's IMGD major focuses on the development of interactive media and computer games, fast growing fields with releases that rival Hollywood movies. Students receive a base education in both the artistic (art, music, and story), and technical (programming) aspects, and then select an artistic or technical concentration as the focus for the remainder of their program. They are also required to study social and philosophical issues associated with games and related media. The program was developed over the past year by examining the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Curriculum Framework, researching other educational programs, and consulting with members of the game development industry. "This new major mirrors the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of how interactive media and games are developed in the real world," says Dennis D. Berkey, president of WPI. "Our students will work closely together, whether they aspire to be technical programmers or game artists. They'll be grounded in philosophical and social issues pertaining to games and new media, and they'll also obtain the benefits of a well-rounded WPI undergraduate education. When they graduate, they'll be well prepared for careers in game development and new media fields, as well as in more traditional areas; or for further study in graduate school." The IMGD major's course work consists of core classes that expose students to the fundamental ideas of interactive media and game development. After students select a technical or an artistic emphasis, they take advanced courses in their chosen area. Some of the course offerings include Art and Animation Artistic Game Development I and II Critical Studies of Interactive Media and Games Digital Imaging and Computer Art Essentials of Art The Game Development Process Philosophy and Ethics of Computer Games Social Issues in Interactive Media and Games Storytelling in Interactive Media and Games Technical Game Development I and II As part of the WPI undergraduate curriculum, the IMGD major also gives students a base of technical knowledge in computer science, mathematics, and science, as well as artistic knowledge in the areas of art, music, and English. WPI uses a project-based approach that balances theory and practice, and students are challenged through a series of independent projects to investigate and report on open-ended issues. Electives allow students to tailor the degree to meet specific career goals or interests. At the end of the degree program, IMGD students will have successfully completed a large-scale software project and a group project with both technical and artistic IMGD majors. They will be able to creatively express and analyze artistic forms relative to IMGD; communicate effectively orally, in writing, and in visual media; and be aware of social and philosophical issues pertaining to games and related media. To learn more about the IMGD major and how to apply to the program, visit the IMGD Web site at www.wpi.edu/+IMGD. WPI's deadline for undergraduate admissions and this new IMGD program is February 1, 2005. The Faculty running the program say of their effort: WPI's Interactive Media and Game Development major provides an outstanding cross-disciplinary education to its undergraduates in the principals of interactive applications and computer-based game development through a variety of courses and WPI's signature project-based learning. Interactive media respond to user actions, and include digital whiteboard presentations, distributed virtual environments, as well as performance-based media where musicians, dancers, and actors interact with various applications to create new experiences for both artists and audiences. Computer games are another form of interactive media, and include those created for both entertainment and educational purposes, as well as serious games that help make decisions in public policy, education, corporate management, health care, and combat preparedness. Game development includes all aspects of creating computer-based games including game design, content creation, programming, testing, and project management. WPI's Interactive Media and Game Development (IMGD) majors receive a base education in both the technical and artistic aspects of interactive media. There is particular emphasis on programmers and artists working closely together, providing invaluable experience for their post-graduate years. IMGD majors are also provided with a base of knowledge in mathematics and science, which serves as a founda-tion for IMGD professional activities or post-graduate studies. IMGD majors also go beyond designing and building games. As future leaders in their field, they need the tools to understand interactive media in their broader human and social context. WPI's program provides students with the analytical skills to assess the social and philosophical issues which continue to arise in the wake of these emerging media. Whether IMGD majors end up with careers in interactive media and game development or in more traditional areas of computer science or art and design, they will have a solid background that will be a good foundation for their careers. Academic Requirements The IMGD degree is designed to ensure that students have a broad understanding of artistic and technical areas related to interactive media and game development, as well as in-depth understanding and skills in either the artistic or technical domain. The degree requirements also ensure that the students have the necessary base of technical knowledge in computer science, mathematics, and science; that they have a competency in expressing and analyzing artistic forms relating to IMGD (e.g. visual arts and storytelling); and have the analytical tools to address social and philosophical issues pertaining to games and related media. Students culminate their work in a substantial group project, demonstrating their application of IMGD skills, methods and knowledge in solving problems likely to be encountered at the professional level; the project offers an opportunity for in-depth interactive media and game development with both artistic and technical team members, providing invaluable expertise in specific game implementations and substantive materials for student portfolios. The course requirements of the IMGD program are generally as follows: Students take at least 2 core courses on analysis, development, and storytelling relating to interactive media and game development. Students take at least 1 course on the social and ethical dimensions of interactive media and games. Students take at least 1 course each in math, science, and computer science. Students take at least 1 course each in computer art, computer music, and English/creative writing Students take at least 2 advanced courses on either technical (programming) or artistic aspects of interactive media. All students choose to complete an IMGD area requirement in either Computer Science or Humanities and Arts, consisting of an additional 10 courses in the chosen area. Students choosing the Computer Science area requirement must complete a WPI Sufficiency in a Humanities and Arts discipline; students choosing a Humanities and Arts area requirement must complete a WPI Sufficiency in a technical or scientific discipline. The Sufficiency amounts to 6 courses in the chosen discipline, which can overlap with courses taken for the IMGD program. The Sufficiency is normally completed in the Sophomore year. Students have an additional 6 courses as electives that allow students to tailor the degree to meet specific career goals or interests. Students must complete a WPI Interactive Qualifying Project, typically in their Junior year. Students complete a WPI Major Qualifying Project in IMGD, typically in their Senior year. To the editor’s knowledge this is the only full degree program in computer game design being run out of a Ph.D.-granting Computer Science Department and a serious first-line humanities department. Back to Table of Contents -- Game! # 12 To Game! List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2004 by George Phillies. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com