Certificate of Completion in Video Game Production: Game Art

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Learn more about the Video Game Production program.

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Course Sequence

Field of Interest

Field of Interest: Computer and Information Technology

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Video Game Production: Game Art provides students with the introductory skills to design Art for video games. Coursework focuses on the artistic aspect of Video Game Production. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Video Game Production is available. Certificates of Completion (CCL) are also available in Video Game Production: Audio and Sound, Video Game Production: Coding and Scripting, and Video Game Production: Narrative.

Details

Details icon Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:

Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Video Game Production: Game Art (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5123
Total Credits Required
39
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: AIM, BPC, CIS, CLD, CNT, CSC, ITS, and MST.

What You’ll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Analyze the electronic game industry, including history, markets, distribution, publishing channels, business models, team roles, and career landscape.
  2. Analyze commonly used narrative strategies, media resources, animation methods, and interactive components in video games.
  3. Manage game development project resources, budgets, goals, and tasks.
  4. Evaluate software and hardware used for game design, development, and production.
  5. Apply basic scripting and programming concepts in the creation of interactive components, animations, and game assets.
  6. Create planning materials such as sketches, character sheets, storyboards, prototypes, narrative scripts, audio, and design documents.
  7. Create a variety of media resources such as images, models, sprites, and animations.
  8. Construct game experiences using planning materials and media resources.
  9. Demonstrate effective written, oral, visual, and interpersonal communication skills.
  10. Collaborate in a culturally responsive manner in a team environment.
  11. Engage in ethical personal and professional creative practices, in accordance with copyright laws, intellectual property, civic responsibility, and standards of the field.
  12. Examine the implications of cultural values, individual beliefs, and biases as applied to game design, development, and production.
  13. Create a portfolio of selected game art, animations and interactive projects.

Career Opportunities

Successful completion of this certificate 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 certificate. 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.

* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer

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 FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3
CRW176 Writing Narrative for Video Games 3
ART/COM/STO150 Digital Storytelling 3
ART116 Life Drawing I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CIS151 Computer Game Development -Level I 3
AVC/MMT185 or
CIS130DA
3D Modeling and Animation I or 3D Studio Max: Modeling 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3
AVC/MMT184 Digital Animation I 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC240 or
CIS230DB
Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation or 3D Studio Max: Lighting and Rendering 3
AVC/MMT285 or
CIS130DB
3D Modeling and Animation II or 3D Studio Max: Animation 3
AVC287 3D Character Animation 3
AVC298AB Special Projects 2

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device, some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this page on a device with a larger screen.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts 1
CIS105 Survey of Computer Information Systems CS 3
MUC122 Sound Design I 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CRW176 Writing Narrative for Video Games 3
CIS151 Computer Game Development -Level I 3
ART116 Life Drawing I 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART/COM/STO150 Digital Storytelling 3
AVC/MMT184 Digital Animation I 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT185 or
CIS130DA
3D Modeling and Animation I or 3D Studio Max: Modeling 3
AVC200 Animation and Interactivity 3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC/MMT285 or
CIS130DB
3D Modeling and Animation II or 3D Studio Max: Animation 3
AVC240 or
CIS230DB
Cinematography and Directing for 2D/3D Animation or 3D Studio Max: Lighting and Rendering 3

Term 6

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 6
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC287 3D Character Animation 3
AVC298AB Special Projects 2

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Program Information

Learn more about and find contact information for the Video Game Production program.

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Course Area Key

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, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184832).

Previous Catalog Years

The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.

Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Video Game Production: Game Art