Field of Interest
Notice
The base degree for this pathway map is no longer offered for new students. It is presented only for archival purposes.
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Game Technology is a discipline that includes the development and management of dynamic environments for games and related visualization applications. The Associate of Applied Science in Game Technology will help prepare students for entry-level career opportunities with studios, corporations, organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, advertising and entertainment industries that require visual and interactive content to support, enhance entertain and/or market their product or service.
The curriculum brings together business concepts and game technology to prepare students for careers as Game Programmer, Environment Artist, Production Artist, Tools Programmer, Character Modeler, Character Animator, Game Designer, Game Developer, or Multimedia Designer/Developer.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Computer and Information Technology
- Type
- Associate Degree
- Academic Plan
- Game Technology (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 3145
- Total Credits Required
- 62
- Catalog Year
- 2020-2021
- Program Notes
Students must earn a grade of "C" or better for all courses required within the program.
This program will be replaced by: AAS/3890 Video Game Production
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Create models using advanced modeling techniques to develop characters, environments, objects, and other content for interactive media.
- Produce animated characters and objects using advanced animation techniques, based from pre-production material such as sketches, character sheets, and storyboards.
- Demonstrate CIS/Computer concepts and programming techniques.
- Explain and describe the electronic game industry, including history, markets, distribution, publishing channels, business models, team roles, and career landscape.
- Perform the basic steps for image correction, texture creation, and creating both bitmap and vector-based images, using Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Fireworks.
- Apply advanced animation techniques in the creation and editing of Flash animation graphics.
- Apply advanced scripting and object oriented programming concepts in the creation and manipulation of interactive Flash applications.
- Explain and describe Game Software Development Tools and apply scripting and Object Oriented Development tools to design and develop game programs.
- Create an electronic portfolio of work.
- Manage game development project resources, budgets, goals and tasks.
- Create and apply textures, materials and surface features to 3D objects and environments.
- Prepare 3D environments for rendering to print, video and real-time graphics engines.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Multimedia Artists and Animators
$30,245 Show expanded career information for Multimedia Artists and Animators
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include AAA/CPD150, AAA/CPD150AC, CPD104, and AAA115/CPD115. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Program Prerequisites
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CRE101 | College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking | or equivalent as indicated by assessment | PP | 3 |
Term 1
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIS105 | Survey of Computer Information Systems | RC | 3 | ||
| CIS107 | The Electronic Game Industry | RC | 3 | ||
| First-Year Composition | Any approved general education course in the First-Year Composition | FYC | 3 | ||
| SBU200 | Society and Business | SB | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIS151 | Computer Game Development -Level I | RC | 3 | ||
| ART170 or ADA170 or CIS130DA |
3D Computer Design or ADA170 or 3D Studio Max: Modeling | RC | 3 | ||
| First-Year Composition | Any approved general education course in the First-Year Composition | FYC | 3 | ||
| Humanities and Fine Arts | Any approved general education course in the Humanities and Fine Arts | HU | 3 | ||
| Oral Communication | Any approved General Education course from the Oral Communications area | COM | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADA184 or ART184 or MMT184 or CIS130DB |
Digital Animation I or Digital Animation I or Digital Animation I or 3D Studio Max: Animation | RC | 3 | ||
| CIS230DA | 3D Studio Max: Materials | RC | 3 | ||
| CIS120DC | Introduction to Adobe Animate | RC | 3 | ||
| MAT120 or MAT121 or MAT122 |
Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra or Intermediate Algebra | or Satisfactory completion of a higher level mathematics course | MA | 3–5 | |
| Natural Science | Any approved general education course in the Natural Sciences area | NS | 4 |
Term 4
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIS120DF or CIS120DG |
Introduction to Adobe Photoshop or Fireworks: Web Graphics | RC | 3 | ||
| CIS220DC | Flash: Advanced Animation and ActionScript | RC | 3 | ||
| CIS108 | Electronic Portfolio Development | RC | 1 | ||
| CIS251 | Computer Game Development - Level II | RC | 3 | ||
| CIS150AB | Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals | RC | 3 | ||
| MMT216 or CIS224 |
Multimedia Project Management or Project Management Microsoft Project for Windows | RC | 3 | ||
| Restricted Electives | RE |
Program Electives
Select from the following courses to meet the Restricted Electives requirement.
| Course Number |
Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIS253 | Computer Game Development -Level III | RE | 3 | ||
| CIS230DB | 3D Studio Max: Lighting and Rendering | RE | 3 | ||
| MTC120 or TCM120 |
Introduction to Sound Design for Film and Video | RE | 3 | ||
| CIS120DB | Introduction to Adobe Illustrator | RE | 3 |
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Become a Student
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
- COM = Oral Communication
- FYC = First Year Composition
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- MA = Mathematics
- NS = Natural Science
- PP = Program Prerequisite
- RC = Required Course
- RE = Restricted Elective
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of "C" or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s curriculum website for the Associate in Applied Science in Game Technology (http://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm3?id=125798).
Other Versions
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. Other versions of this pathway map from different catalog years are available below: