3D Animation and Immersive Game Design

Sample Courses

ARTS 110: Introduction to Game Design & Game Theory (3 credits)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of game design and game theory, exploring the principles of interactive storytelling, player engagement, mechanics, and ethics in game development. Students will analyze and deconstruct existing games while designing their own prototypes. The course covers core design frameworks such as MDA (Mechanics, Dynamics, Aesthetics) and introduces software like Unity and Unreal Engine for rapid prototyping. Students begin to learn to build both 2D and 3D games and experiences.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Understand and apply fundamental principles of game mechanics, systems, and balance.
• Develop interactive experiences that engage and challenge players.
• Analyze the ethical and social implications of game design.
• Gain proficiency in using game development software for prototyping.

Tools & Techniques

Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, Adobe Creative Suite, Paper Prototyping, Playtesting, MDA Framework

ARTS 210: 3D Modeling & Animation (3 credits)

Students learn the foundations of 3D modeling and animation, focusing on industry-standard tools and workflows. Topics include polygonal modeling, UV mapping, texturing, rigging, and basic animation techniques. The course emphasizes creating assets for games, virtual reality, interactive digital experiences, and animated films using Blender and other 3D software.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Create and manipulate 3D objects using industry-standard modeling techniques.
• Apply textures, materials, and lighting to enhance 3D assets.
• Understand rigging and keyframe animation to create basic character movements.
• Optimize assets for real-time rendering in game engines.

Tools & Techniques

Blender, Unity, Unreal Engine, Rigging & Skinning, UV Mapping

ARTS 310: Advanced 3D Animation and Game Design (3 credits)

This course advances students’ knowledge of 3D animation, interactive storytelling, and game mechanics while introducing motion capture, version control, project management, and ethical issues in game development. Students will create high-quality, interactive projects with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. Students will learn industry-standard development pipelines and use professional production strategies to build their projects. Topics also include performance optimization and ethical considerations in game design. By the end of the course, students will have a fully developed game or animation project.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Develop advanced 3D animations and interactive experiences with motion capture.
• Implement version control systems to manage game assets and collaborative development.
• Apply agile project management principles to organize and execute game design projects.
• Analyze ethical challenges in game development, including representation, inclusivity, data privacy, and monetization strategies.
• Optimize projects for real-time performance in game engines, ensuring high-quality rendering and interactivity.
• Work collaboratively with others from other disciplines.

Tools & Techniques

• 3D Animation & Game Development: Blender, Unreal Engine, Unity
• Version Control & Collaboration: GitHub, Plastic SCM
• Project Management: Agile & Scrum methodologies, Trello
• Physics & Animation Techniques: Motion capture
• Ethical Game Design Considerations: Representation, accessibility, player well-being

ARTS 410 – VR, Mobile, & Software Development (3 credits)

This course explores the development of immersive digital experiences across virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mobile platforms. Students will learn to design interactive applications for VR headsets, mobile devices, and emerging platforms, emphasizing usability, optimization, and ethical considerations in immersive design.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Develop and optimize applications for VR, AR, and mobile devices.
• Implement user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) principles in immersive environments.
• Understand the technical constraints and optimizations needed for different platforms.
• Utilize real-time engines to develop publishable projects.

Tools & Techniques

Unity XR Toolkit, MetaQuest 3, Mobile App Development, Performance Optimization

Student Clubs

Xavier offers 160+ student clubs and organizations that help you cultivate a campus community that’s uniquely yours. As a student in the 3D Animation and Immersive Game Design major, you might be interested in:

• Computer Science Club— From game nights to hackathons and coding classes, these technology enthusiasts love all things digital. Members meet to discuss the latest in computer science and connect with each other.
• Xavier University Gaming Club— Members of this club meet weekly to hang out and play games together. The club holds tournaments, gaming sessions and charity livestreams.
• Xavier Art Society— Art students visit exhibits and organize group art programs like bookbinding, figure drawing and framing. Trips include visits to the Cincinnati Art Museum, the Contemporary Arts Center and the Taft Museum of Art. Field trips are organized outside of Cincinnati to art collections in places such as Louisville, Lexington (KY), Columbus, Cleveland (OH) and Chicago (IL). Members also brainstorm ideas, mentor underclassmen, network, promote community and exhibit their art in numerous locations.

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