■ Computer Game Design

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Art and Design Building, Room 2020
Phone: 703-993-5734
Web: game.gmu.edu

Faculty

Scott Martin, Program Director

Associate Professor: Martin (director), Willis

Assistant Professors: Grimsby, Nolan, Totten, Wren

Administrative Faculty (Instructional): Hudson (assistant director), Ondus (senior projects director, Simulation and Gaming Institute)

Undergraduate Program

The 120-credit Computer Game Design program enables students to focus on the artistic components of computer game design while providing them with the technical skills prerequisite to the field. Required courses include computer science, art and visual technology, music, the humanities, and computer game design. The required internship provides students with practical experience that enhances their employability post-graduation.

Graduate Program

The MA in Computer Game Design prepares graduate students, who may have studied game design at the undergraduate level, or who have degrees in a related technology, humanities, or arts discipline. The Program’s intention is to prepare students for employment and further study in the computer game design and development fields, with a curriculum that reflects the gaming industry’s demand for an academically rigorous, technical program coupled with an understanding of the artistic and creative elements of the evolving field of study.

Undergraduate Portfolio Requirement

Effective Fall 2011 students who wish to apply for the Computer Game Design BFA program must attend one of the program’s Open house events (see game.gmu.edu for more details). A portfolio must be submitted and reviewed by faculty before admittance to the Computer Game Design Program.

The Open House will allow students to have their online portfolios reviewed and/or receive guidance creating and improving their existing portfolios. Examples may include drawing, painting, sculpture, 2 or 3D digital art, prints, animation, models, characters, music, websites (URLs), or game levels. Applicants may include game design documents, scripts and stories, or game code (Script, C++, JAVA). Call 703-993-5734 to schedule an Open House visit.

Graduate Admissions

Admission is competitive. An offer of admission is valid only for the semester for which the student applies. Application for graduate admission is made to the Office of Graduate Admissions. The application deadline for fall admission is March 1; the application deadline for the spring semester is November 1. Mason encourages early applications from prospective students who wish to be considered for academic scholarships, grants or teaching assistantships.

Course Work

The Computer Game Design Program offers all course work designated GAME in the Courses section of this catalog.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

The university requires all undergraduate students to complete at least one course designated “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students in the BFA in computer game design fulfill this requirement by successfully completing GAME 332 - Story Design for Computer Games (RS).

Upper-Level Credits

All undergraduate students are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division courses at the 300-499 level. Fulfilling degree requirements does not guarantee this requirement will be met.

Major GPA

All GAME undergraduate students must earn a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA in their major.

All GAME courses except GAME 101 , GAME 250 , and GAME 367 must be passed with a grade of C or better.

Academic Policies

All GAME majors are required to adhere to the George Mason University Honor code. Failure to do so may result in academic sanctions up to an including dismissal from the University.

Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts for college academic policies.