The document discusses the Curriculum Framework Initiative presented by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Education SIG. It provides an overview of the IGDA Education SIG and its mission to strengthen academic membership and education for game developers. It then describes the key components of the IGDA curriculum framework, including core topics and soft skills, and highlights examples of original student games and research from various game design programs. It also discusses common elements, challenges, and industry involvement in game design education programs.

2. So you want to start a game program? IGDA Education SIG presents the Curriculum Framework Initiative & Curricular Models Thursday, August 9, 2007

3. Who are we and why are we here? Tracy Fullerton Assistant Professor USC School of Cinematic Arts, Interactive Media Division Co-Director, Electronic Arts Game Innovation Lab [email_address]

4. Who are we and why are we here? Magy Seif El-Nasr Assistant Professor Simon Fraser University School of Interactive Arts & Technology [email_address]

5. Who are we and why are we here? Susan Gold Academic Coordinator Garage Games [email_address] But ALSO Chair of IGDA Education SIG [email_address]

6. IGDA Education SIG One of many special interest groups from within Game Development * Alternate Reality Games (ARGs) * Artificial Intelligence * Casual Games * Education * Game Accessibility * Game Preservation * Human Resources * Indies * IP Rights * Mobile Game Development * Online Games * Production * Quality Assurance * Sex in Games * Students * Tools * Women in Game Development * Writing

7. Mission To create a community resource that will strengthen the academic membership of the IGDA while enhancing the education of future and current game developers.

8. Resources http://www.igda.org/education

9. Education Workshop at GDC http://www.igda.org/education/workshop

10. Curriculum Knowledge Base http://www.igda.org/index.php/Curriculum_Knowledge_Base

12. 2002-2003 Academic Summits are held at the annual Game Developers Conference 2003 the IGDA Curriculum Framework (version 2.3 beta) is published Adoption into curricula around the world

13. What is the framework? Core Topics Critical Game Studies - Criticism, Analysis & History Game Design - Principles and Methodologies Game Programming - Aspects of CS + specific areas that address gaming Visual Design Audio Design Interactive Storytelling Game Production Business of Gaming

14. A Key Component: Soft Skills Speaking & Communication Writing Collaboration

15. Interdisciplinary Work & Courses The ability to understand and work with a team of different disciplines Acknowledging and respecting those disciplines Communication Skills Breadth of Medium

16. Programs Overview Many different programs Based on different disciplines CS Design Film Sound & Music Architecture, etc.... Philosophies Experimental design focused Industry pipeline focused Research oriented Serious games

17. Game Curricula: Some Highlights from Current Programs

18. Original, Innovative Student Games Cloud, USC IMD Pac-Manhattan NYU-ITP

19. Original, Innovative student games Darfur is Dying USC IMD Peace Maker, CMU ETC

20. Original, Innovative Student Games Homeless: It’s no game SFU - SIAT Film Noir Style Game Penn State - IST

21. Original, Innovative Student Games flOw on PS3

22. Original, Innovative Student Research Ideas JEDDAH: A Dystopian Dream's Interface: The Cursor as a Narrative Element SFU - SIAT

23. And List Goes On... Warm Control The Global Warming Project– DePaul University Fashion Designer – CMU/ETC Mermaids - GA Tech Agamemnon's Curse, RumbleBox – DigiPen Eclipse– SMU Guildhall Tragedy Tennis– Northwestern

24. Programs Overview Programs have many concepts in common: Emphasis on interdisciplinary Group work Experimental

25. Collaborative projects Advanced game teams, USC

26. Game design: paper prototyping Alex Mitchell, NUS, Singapore Kevin O’Gorman, American InterContineåntal University

27. Game design: Playtesting EA Game Innovation Lab, USC

28. Game Critique Girls and Games Penn State - IST

29. Theory and Criticism of Games Jose Zagal, Georgia Tech Jim Whitehead, UC Santa Cruz

30. “ Game appreciation” courses, theory and criticism of games Alice Robison and Henry Jenkins, MIT

31. Pitches, presentations & shows Carnegie Mellon ETC, Virtual Worlds Show

32. Pitches, presentations & shows Intermediate game pitches, USC

33. Industry Involvement Advanced Games, USC

34. Industry Involvement

35. “ Big” Games USC IMD

36. Game jams Parsons Mobile Game Mosh Nordic Game Jam

37. Improvisation Lori Shyba, University of Calgary Bernie DeKoven, Deepfun.com

38. Traditional & Virtual Theatre Penn State – IST

39. “ Live” Games Deborah Solomon, Montgomery College, MD

40. Community building between programs USC vs CMU Game Challenge

41. Student and Indie Game Competitions & Festivals Slamdance IndieCade E3 Showcase

42. Looks Great, Lots of Success Stories... But it’s not that simple

43. Challenges University setting – Silos Getting industry involvement Advisory board Feedback in game demos, fests, shows Finding skilled people to teach Undergraduate or graduate? Development of a course or a program? Major, Minor, Degree? Course structure? Technology

44. Question & Answer Time Thank You