WT 2022: Applied Introduction to 3D Game Development

Michael Boyles

DePauw University

Official Description

Applied Introduction to 3D Game Development is a practical, hands-on course aimed at providing a foundation for creating 3D games using Unity. Students will be introduced to the Unity development environment and a variety of 3D game concepts and features. Students will leverage pre-existing media assets and then configure and program them to create a simple, but original and playable, 3D game(s). Only basic computer skills are assumed; no knowledge of computer programming is required; no formal course prerequisites; students from all majors and all class levels are encouraged to consider enrolling. That being said, computer and/or programming skills would be helpful. Game development is complex; students must have a strong desire to learn and be willing to put in the time to test and experiment each day. This is an on-campus course.

In Practice

We created a fictional game studio called T22 Studios and asked our DePauw students to play the role of level designer/game programmer trainee working on a prototype game under the direction of instructor Michael Boyles. Ultimately, each trainee was tasked with creating a prototype for a simple platform game. Each prototype had to meet a number of minimum requirements, but then the trainees were free to explore and incorporate additional features and functionality. We learned a ton about Unity; helped each other with technical challenges; provided peer feedback and shared ideas; have a lot of fun and ate some good, free food (one of the perks of "working" for T22 Studios). Below is an article and video written and produced by DePauw Communications as well as a few of the final prototypes.