GREENEVILLE – Students who want to create video games will be able to develop those skills through hands-on experience when they pursue a new minor at Tusculum University.
Walter Wimberly
Beginning with the fall semester, Tusculum will offer a game design minor that will enable students to build their own video game. The minor will incorporate artistic and programmatic elements and empower students to demonstrate their creativity and design abilities. All of these components will come in handy as students seek jobs with potential future employers.
“We have many students who are interested in video games, and we are focused on meeting the demand,” said Walter Wimberly, assistant professor of computer science at Tusculum. “This minor also allows students to take a more diversified series of classes, as it is open to those in any major. We look forward to various majors bringing their own unique experiences and insights to the courses.”
In addition to computer science and visual arts students, students from diverse majors such as sport management and the creative writing concentration of English have expressed a desire to seek the minor.
The minor consists of six courses, split equally between the computer science and visual communications programs. The courses include basic programming, game engines, 3D modeling, digital graphics and a seminar class where students will work on building their game.
Wimberly said Tusculum is looking at leveraging existing industry game engines that students can use for free to develop their games. One course delves deeply into that subject and provides students with valuable knowledge they can apply as they build their game. The university also has a video of previous student projects in the computer science program that show game construction.
“We are looking to prepare students for indie style game development,” Wimberly said. “They will learn both the visual arts side and basic programming so they can create their own game or work with a small team to develop a game. This approach also gives them experience so they can determine which elements are their favorite if they do work with a team.”
Students might not be able to complete the whole game by the end of their seminar course, so they will concentrate on finishing a couple of levels. But they will be able to put the final touches on the game afterward, if they choose, or pursue a different type of game utilizing the skills they acquired in the seminar class and other courses.
Wimberly said the game design minor brings value because it exposes students to a subject they might find interesting but might not want as their major.
“This can give them experience in other areas so they have a different perspective on how to problem-solve, as well as provide insight and enjoyment for them,” Wimberly said. “It also gives students additional experience in a narrow field so they are better prepared to job hunt in that field if they desire. With our minor, and the experience in developing their own game, students will have at least one portfolio piece to show employers the type of work they are capable of performing.”
Dr. Faisal Al-khateeb
Dr. Faisal Al-khateeb, chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, is thrilled Tusculum has added the game design minor.
“Gaming is a growing business and a passion for many people, and this program will nurture both in a fun and meaningful way,” he said. “Through active and experiential learning, this minor will seamlessly blend technical knowledge with practical experience. Whether it supports a student’s hobby or spurs a new career direction for that Pioneer, the game design minor is an exciting venture and represents how we meet students’ needs.”
This minor is one of the newest steps the university has taken with gaming. Tusculum opened gaming and esports labs in 2022 and subsequently moved them to a larger space. In the spring, Tusculum held Pioneer Con, which included games such as Madden, Rocket League, Magic: The Gathering, Warhammer 40k, chess, Dungeons & Dragons and cosplay as well as other activities spread across campus. The university will hold another Pioneer Con in October.
Tusculum’s esports Valorant team won its first-ever National Association of Collegiate Esports contest in October against Michigan Tech. The team later defeated Lake Michigan College and qualified for the National Association of Collegiate Esports playoffs.
To learn more about the game design minor, please email Wimberly at wwimberly@tusculum.edu. Additional information about the university is available at www.tusculum.edu.