Online Course for High School Students
Intro to Video Game Design
The world of gaming design
Ever wondered what it takes to customize your own video game? In this course, you’ll do just that. Discover how digital games are built and the skills game designers and developers use. Learn the art of storytelling and the techniques used to embed puzzles, action-adventure, and drama. See interviews with top game designers and explore careers in the field. If you are a committed gamer, a tech wiz, or someone who is intrigued with design, this course is a must.
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What you need to know to design video games
Study the emergence of gaming, from Atari to Mobile gaming
Learn about the world of digital games, from inception to today’s state of the art. Discover the skills game creators use to bring their ideas to life.
Understand game design theory
Learn to identify the theories designers use. Experiment with Meaningful Play. Explore the frameworks behind elegant game design.
Dig into the process of customizing a templated game
Use the theories you learned to complete the mechanical aspects of a bare-bones pre-built GMS2 project.
Customize your 2D Platformer
Work with GMS2 to customize the pre-built demo and turn it into a 2D platforming game of your own design.
Become a digital storyteller
Learn the top narrative genres in gaming. Understand storytelling techniques found in adventure, puzzle, Sci-Fi and other popular genres—gain insight into using them for your own game.
Explore college majors and future careers related to the field of video gaming
Topics covered in this course offer a good background for those thinking about pursuing a future in video game design and digital media.
How you will benefit
- Learn to customize your own templated video game
- Understand how game design theories allow for Meaningful Play
- Learn the techniques of storytelling
- Know how to build actions that align with the rules and narrative elements of the game
- Gain a working knowledge of how video games evolved from Atari to XBox and Mobile gaming
- Determine if video game design is a field you’d like to pursue
Hear From The University of Rochester
3 Learning advantages designed for you
1. Flexible Learning
- 100% online — works with your schedule
- 20-25 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia, simulations, and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support
- You’ll learn through engaging videos. Tune in anytime that works for you
- Engage with fellow students from around the world
2. Mentoring
You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who can support you and answer questions as you deepen your learning experience. You can expect:
- Encouragement and direction on all assignments
- Inspiration, motivation and confidence to help you succeed
- Brainstorming to help as you prepare for your final capstone project
3. Final Project
The course culminates with a special final project that allows you to:
- Customize a templated video game, incorporating your own visual design and storytelling
- Use GameMaker Studio 2 for this project
- Get feedback on your work from your mentor
Apply now for the next available course
All course options, whether 2 or 4 weeks, have the identical educational content, learning materials, and number of assignments. The difference in length of course is due to time of year (not amount of instruction). We know the school year keeps you busy, so we’ve made the course longer during that time so that you can get assignments done.
Course designed by:
Joseph A. Loporcaro, PhD, Assistant Professor, University of Rochester, Video Game Design
Professor Loporcaro teaches both Digital Media Studies and Computer Science at the University of Rochester. He has been teaching at the college level for over 13 years. His background spans all areas of mass media from traditional audio/video production to his ultimate focus on video games. Loporcaro has always wanted to be a teacher and relishes the opportunity to cultivate the next generation of great video game creators.
Course Mentors
Tara
Undergraduate at the University of Rochester majoring in Economics. Tara's currently working on creating a text-based RPG.
Emersyn
Computer Science major in the Hajim School of Engineering at the University of Rochester. Currently, a Software Engineering Intern at Activision-Blizzard on the Risk Systems team. Emersyn has held the presidency in both the University of Rochester Esports club and the Computer Interest Floor, as well as the chair of the UR Overwatch team.
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Apply NowFrequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you get to turn around a project? When do you find out if you're accepted?
Find Answers To Your QuestionsUndergraduate Admissions
To learn more about applying to the University of Rochester for your undergraduate studies, visit the Undergraduate Admissions page.
Learn More About Undergraduate AdmissionsScholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.
The University reserves the right to modify the course as may become necessary.