Carnegie Mellon University

IDeATe

Integrative Design, Arts, and Technology

Game Design

Game design is an art, a craft, and a science. Students in the IDeATe Game Design minor will gain mastery in all three aspects through game design, development, and assessment. You will learn about the rich histories, theory, and practice of game creation taught by faculty experts, and have opportunities to collaborate across the many disciplines needed to make successful game experiences. Through coursework you will be able to realize your own unique aesthetics and voice by reflecting on your own game play and by thoughtfully critiquing the games of others. Through the minor students will be able to build a strong game design portfolio, deepen cultural sensitivities as a game designers, and expand their creative practice. In particular, you will gain skills and competencies in the following areas of game design:

  • Game systems and mechanics design
  • Interactive narrative and character development
  • Visual and audio asset creation
  • Game programming
  • Interface design and user testing
  • Collaboration and the iterative design process

Game Design Minor - Minimum of 45 Units

One Computing Course - Minimum of 9 Units

  • 15-104 Introduction to Computing for Creative Practice
  • 15-110 Principles of Computing
  • 15-112 Fundamentals of Programming and Computer Science
  • 60-212 Intermediate Studio: Creative Coding

One IDeATe Portal Course - Minimum of 9 Units

  • Recommended Portal Course for this minor:
    • 53-322 IDeATe: Little Games/Big Stories: Indie Roleplaying Game Studio
      • currently offered in Spring only
  • Recommended Portal Course for this minor:
    • 62-150 IDeATe Portal: Introduction to Media Synthesis and Analysis
      • Section B: Introduction to Mediascapes: 2D to 3D Spatial Environments
  • 16-223 IDeATe Portal: Creative Kinetic Systems
  • 18-090 Twisted Signals: Multimedia Processing for the Arts
  • 60-125 IDeATe: Introduction to 3D Animation Pipeline
  • 60-223 IDeATe Introduction to Physical Computing
  • 82-250 Digital Realities: Introducing Immersive Technologies for Arts and Culture
  • 99-361 IDeATe Portal
    • Section A: Learning about Learning
      • currently offered in Spring only
    • Section B: Intelligent Environments
      • currently offered in Spring only

IDeATe Game Design Courses - Minimum of 27 Units

  • 05-418 Design of Educational Games
  • 05-499 Special Topics in HCI
  • 15-466 Computer Game Programming
  • 53-110 Introduction to Game Prototyping
  • 53-250 Immersive Experience Pre-Production Process
  • 53-341 Distributed Game Studio: Game Art Pipeline
  • 53-353 Understanding Game Engines
  • 53-371 Role Playing Games Writing Workshop
  • 53-373 Dynamic Motion and Game Experience
  • 53-376 360 Story and Sound
  • 53-414 Introduction to Game Design
  • 53-451 Research Issues in Game Development
  • 53-471 Game Design, Prototyping, and Production
  • 53-472 Advanced Game Studio
  • 53-558 Reality Computing Studio
  • 60-333 Intermediate Studio: Animation Rigging
  • 60-418 Advanced ETB: Experimental Game Design
  • 60-419 Advanced ETB: Experimental Game Studio: Digital Playgrounds
  • Additional courses as available. Please check IDeATe Courses for the options for the current and upcoming semesters.
Double-counting: Students may double-count up to two of their IDeATe minor courses for other requirements.

Game Design Faculty

The Game Design faculty represent Carnegie Mellon's expertise in Art and Entertainment Technology. They carefully oversee the collaboration of students while delivering the IDeATe Game Design courses. Learn more about participating faculty here.