BFA in Computer Game Design

Technology + Design = Opportunity

Catalog Year: 2023-2024

Banner Code: AR-BFA-GAME-KOR

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.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 120

Mason Core

AVT 180 New Media in the Creative Arts (Mason Core) 3
PSYC 100 Basic Concepts in Psychology (Mason Core) 3
Select one from the following (or any other PHYS natural science course with advisor approval): 4
PHYS 103
 Physics and Everyday Phenomena I (Mason Core)
PHYS 160& PHYS 161
 University Physics I (Mason Core)
and University Physics I Laboratory (Mason Core)
Total Credits 10

Non-Specific Mason Core Requirements

Oral Communication 3
Arts 3
Literature 3
Natural Science 1 4
Western Civilization/World History 3
Global Understanding 3
Quantitative Reasoning 3
Written Communication (Foundation) 3
Written Communication (Integration) 3
Total Credits 28
1

including laboratory

Approved courses may be found under the Mason Core section of this catalog.

Major Core 

GAME 140 Applied Coding for Game Designers 3
or CS 112 Introduction to Computer Programming (Mason Core)
GAME 104 Two-Dimensional Design for Games 1 3
GAME 101 Introduction to Game Design (Mason Core) 3
or GAME 210 Basic Game Design
GAME 230 History of Computer Game Design 3
GAME 231 Three-Dimensional Game Art I 3
GAME 250 Music for Film and Video 3
GAME 240 Gameplay Scripting Implementation I 3
GAME 300 Portfolio Preparation 1
GAME 310 Digital Game Design 3
GAME 330 Computer Game Platform Analysis 3
GAME 331 Consumer Gaming Platform Analysis Lab 1
GAME 332 RS: Story Design for Computer Games 3
GAME 367 Writing and Editing Music and Sound 3
GAME 398 Three-Dimensional Game Art II 3
GAME 410 Advanced Game Design Studio 3
GAME 489 Pre-Internship Seminar 1
Six credits of 6
GAME 490
 Senior Game Design Capstone (Mason Core) (Must be taken twice for 3 credits each)
GAME 491 Internship 3-4
Total Credits 51-52
1

Students who took AVT 104 and GAME 231 during catalog years 19-20, 20-21, 21-22, may use these courses to fulfill the GAME 104 requirement.

Digital Media Electives

Select at least 12 credits from the following (or another course approved by your advisor): 12
AVT 280
 Introduction to New Media Arts
AVT 354
 Digital Photography II
AVT 382
 2D Experimental Animation
AVT 383
 3D Experimental Animation
AVT 390
 Video Art
AVT 482
 Advanced Image Making
AVT 487
 Advanced Topics: New Media Art
ENGH 372
 Introduction to Film (Mason Core)
FAVS 399
 Special Topics in Film and Video Studies
GAME 320
 Digital Painting for Games
GAME 399
 Special Topics
GAME 431
 Advanced Game Animation I
Total Credits 12

Visual Arts Electives

Select 6 credits from the following (or another course approved by your advisor): 6
AVT 215
 Typography (Mason Core)
AVT 217
 Introduction to Web Design
AVT 222
 Drawing I (Mason Core)
AVT 232
 Painting I (Mason Core)
AVT 243
 Printmaking I (Mason Core)
AVT 252
 Darkroom Photography I (Mason Core)
AVT 262
 Sculpture I (Mason Core)
AVT 311
 Graphic Design Methods and Principles
AVT 323
 Drawing II
AVT 324
 Figure Drawing
AVT 333
 Painting II
AVT 337
 Figurative Painting
AVT 343
 Printmaking II
AVT 353
 Darkroom Photography II
AVT 363
 Sculpture II
Total Credits 6

General Electives

Select 8-13 credits of General Electives 8-13
Total Credits 8-13