Exciting New Classes
Check out these exciting new classes for the Spring semester:
CTIN 405 Design and Technology for Mobile Experiences
Taught by Julian Bleecker:
Julian Bleecker has been involved in technology design, the development of mobile and networked technology systems, and scholarly work studying the mechanisms by which mobile technology is used, designed and innovated. Several of his recent projects explore the relationships between place, experience, authorship and social networking through the use of mobile and wireless technology. He has exhibited art-technology projects related to his scholarship at the Walker Art Center, Eyebeam Atelier, Banff Center for the Arts, American Museum of the Moving Image, Bitforms Gallery, The Kitchen, Art Interactive and Times Square. He has developed popular commercial mobile technologies for Wall Street firms, MTV, Comedy Central, and the educational products company Scholastic.
The objective of this course is for students to develop a strong sense of the design challenges and opportunities presented by mobile technologies. Through readings and discussions, students will develop critical and pragmatic insights into designing mobile experiences and technology. Students will form design groups to develop a mobile project design using the principles from readings and class discussions.
CTIN 406 Sound Design for Games
Taught by Scott Selfon:
Scott Selfon works at Microsoft as the Senior Audio Specialist in the Game Technology Group, assisting composers, sound designers, and audio programmers with technical and creative challenges in developing audio for games. In this position he has also played an active role in the development of the Microsoft Cross-Platform Audio Creation Tool (XACT), used by both Xbox 360 and Windows game titles.
This course is an introduction to the techniques, terminology, and implementation of sound in games on one hand, and the history of sound in visual media on the other hand. First students consider approaches to sound in other visual media, particularly cinema and television. Then similarities and differences are drawn between such media and old and current computer games. Topics include the role of sound in supplementing or creating an emotional experience, cuing the player, establishing a sense of place, and concepts of realistic sound. Workshops cover recording techniques, sound processing, real-time volume control and special effects, and voice recognition.
CTIN 458 Business and Management of Games
Taught by Tom Frisina:
Tom Frisina is the Vice President and General Manager, EA Partners. He has worked on such titles as Battlefield 1942, Black and White 2, SSX Tricky, Madden NFL 2002, and The Simpsons: Road Rage.
This course provides preparation for successful careers in interactive entertainment. The course covers a range of business and legal issues, including an overview of current business models in games and interactive media, methods for pitching and getting products funded, legal issues pertaining to copyright and intellectual property issues, production management techniques, as well as business start-up nuts and bolts for aspiring entrepreneurs.
CTIN 463 Anatomy of a Game
Taught by John Hight:
In 1991, John built Battleship, for the Philips Cdi. Hight then held creative and management positions with Atari, Electronic Arts, Westwood Studios, and 3DO. High has contributed to the design and production of Nox, Command& Conquer: Red Alert 2, and Yuri's Revenge. Hight currently works as the Director of External Production at Sony Computer Entertainment of America.
This is a seminar class that introduces students to each of the professional disciplines involved in making digital games. The class will cover two different game products from concept to delivery each semester. For instance the class might cover EA’s Lord of the Rings Battle for Middle Earth (a realtime strategy game) for the first half of the semester and Sony’s Jak and Daxter 3 (an adventure game) for the second half. Note that both of these examples are from LA-based teams.
CTIN 482 Designing Online Multiplayer Game Environments
Taught by Patricia Pizer:
Making her game industry debut at Infocom in 1988, Patricia was creating games back in the days when you didn’t even need graphics. Over the span of her career, she’s worked with industry leaders including Boffo Games, THQ/GameFx, Harmonix Music, Turbine Entertainment and ubi.com. She recently joined Disney’s VR Studio, where she’s working on Toontown and an unannounced MMO. A founder of the Boston Area Game Developers?Network, Patricia is a published author on game design, and a regular guest speaker at such industry events as the GDC, AGC and the Korea Game Developers Conference.
Grouped into teams, students will study and design an original multiplayer game environment suitable for online usage.