Computer and videogames play an increasingly important role in (youth) culture. Furthermore, the market for computer entertainment and games is rapidly becoming professional and substantial. The Game Design and Development programme, as a specialized trajectory derived from the Interaction Design programme, examines and creates prototypes for new and innovative game concepts and applications. Both new platforms, like for instance mobile handhelds, and traditional platforms form the basis for the games developed and studied within MA CDDC. Furthermore, we not only focus on traditional games but also on games for special target audiences, serious and applied games and casual games. Game design, game genres, emerging techniques and concepts are studied and applied in practical work and theoretical study.

During the course in the first project students learn to reflect on game play related to the design concept they will develop. By distinguishing critical factors in the game play, and modeling them as parameters. With this model a game engine is constructed. During the production phase, ‘game playability’ can than be further developed and refined by tweaking and changing the parameters in the model.

During the course students will be introduced to game genres and theory of game play, different types of software (tool kits, middleware, game engines), 2d and 3d design and animation tools. In the 2nd project they will specialize in one of the differentiations concept artist, game designer, programming, animation and design, through the creation or contribution to the development of a second computer game.