The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game and Simulation includes courses on preproduction and game design development, with a focus on the study of art and its application to the disciplines of games and simulations. Entertainment and serious gaming is a dynamic industry that continues to grow despite economic downturns elsewhere.

Some features of game design arts at SSU:

• Emphasis on developing traditional art skills as a foundation to studies in 3D design.
• Experienced faculty from the game, and related, industries.
• Small class sizes to encourage student-to-student and student-to-professor interaction.
• State-of-the-art motion capture facilities.
• Three well-furnished computer classrooms.
• Opportunities to develop technical and programming skills in addition to design.
• Named in the Princeton Review’s Top Game Design Programs in the U.S. and Canada 12 years in a row.

As a part of the senior year, our program provides practical experience through a joint senior project with the Game Engineering program. Game Arts students collaborate to determine the scope and play of the game and take responsibility for the look and feel of the game by designing and developing art assets as well as creating animations and motion captured sequences. This project becomes an important part of the student’s portfolio.

Learning outcomes:

• Develop proficiency in the tools, media, software, and technology related to game design.
• Create work that demonstrates a strong concept, focused research, an understanding of design principles, and excellent use of 3D software.
• Employ a vocabulary for design critique and presentation.
• Prepare for the challenges of professional practice with an understanding of the role art and design plays within the gaming pipeline.