Level Design and Mechanics (AGAD401)
This course teaches the concepts and skill sets involved in creating successful levels within any game format. Emphasis will be given to integrating levels within a given game design, construction guided by balance and rhythm, and approaches for handling technical and environmental limitations. Students will develop levels for existing game engines as well as utilizing original game aesthetics. Real-time rendering technology allows a game artist to create immersive game environments that respond to the player’s action within the game space. Students in this course are prepared for high-level careers in the video game industry by learning the processes for creating event-driven environments and acquiring the technical skills required to produce a functional game level. Topics include creating real-time shaders and in-game effects such as physics, particles and event triggers.