The art and science of video game development
The art and science of video game development
The art and science of video game development
By Izzy Lopez
January 4, 2023
Summary
Students in Penn's School of Engineering and Applied Science are uniquely equipped to navigate the modern gaming industry as their training in the Digital Media Design program prepares them to approach game development with technical rigor and creative insight.
The student group UPGRADE, the University of Pennsylvania Game Research and Development Environment, has brought together students from the DMD program and beyond to develop games with an emphasis on creative expression and an interdisciplinary approach to game creation.
"We have something for English majors to do in a game development club," shares Faye Zhang, a second-year DMD major and member of UPGRADE 's social committee who served on the club's writing and art team during her freshman year.
UPGRADE members took inspiration from the classic fantasy game The Legend of Zelda, and their game features a battle arena where players can combat enemies, an art museum that displays the original artwork created by UPGRADE 's art team, and a story log to showcase the narrative work from the writing team.
To accelerate the development process, UPGRADE members use Unity, a free cross-platform game engine.
Since its launch in 2005, Unity has been essential in ushering in the current era of accessible game development that makes clubs like UPGRADE possible.
While access to coding education and game engines is increasing, excellence in gaming is shifting from sheer programming brawn to a multifaceted ability to bring all sides of a game together.
Reference
Lopez, I. (2023, January 4). The art and science of video game development. Penn Today. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/penn-engineering-art-and-science-video-game-development