Interactive Media

cinema.usc.edu/interactive
usc_interactive@cinema.usc.edu
213.821.4472
George Lucas Instructional Building (LUC) 310

Introduction to Interactive Entertainment
Offers students the historical perspective, critical
vocabulary and design skills by which they can analyze
and understand their own experiences with interactive
entertainment, as well as imagine and articulate their
own ideas for interactive experiences.
CTIN 309/ 4 units / William Huber / 18350R / 10 am-12:50 pm / M

Interface Design for Games
This course is an introduction to interface design
for games focusing on aesthetics, techniques and understanding
of good design principles. Students examine interface
designs in game software and hardware interfaces
in order to consider the effects of the interface
on the overall experience and explore the potentials of new
interfaces on future game designs.
CTIN 401 / 2 units / Tomo Isoyama / 18368R / 6-8:50 pm / M

Business and Management of Games
This is a multi-faceted course intended to provide the
student with the most comprehensive view of what it’s
like to have a job in the games business. While focusing
on cinematic arts interactive producer and designer job
descriptions, all elements of game content and their resident
product development and marketing approaches are covered:
including MMO’s, Mobile, Internet Micro Transactions,
PC and video game consoles, and broad-based interactive
entertainment intended for the masses. When completed,
this course will answer the ultimate student question:
Is this a business I want to be in; and what role am I best
suited to play?
CTIN 458 / 2 units / Tom Frisina / 18366R / 1-3:50 pm / W

Industry Workshop
This class challenges a team of advanced students to
explore a gameplay research question posed by the
industry. The class will be briefed by a partner company
from the game industry in the first week. Each week
of the semester students will develop concepts
and materials pursuing the research problem.
CTIN 459 / 4 units / Lewis Castle / 18367D / 4:30-6:20 pm / T,Th
Prerequisite: CTIN 488; recommended preparation: CTIN 489

Game Studies Seminar
In this cross-disciplinary course, students will develop critical
and aesthetic approaches to machinima production.
Machinima is filmmaking using video game performances,
and this course is an excellent place for game design
and cinema production student collaboration.
CTIN 464 / 2 units / Peter Brinson / 18364R / 1-2:50 pm / M

Designing Online Multiplayer
Game Environments
This course introduces students to the design, production
and business issues surrounding multiplayer game design.
Students will analyze multiplayer and social aspects
of games ranging from board games to massively multiplayer
online communities. Working in teams, students will
design, prototype, playtest and refine a multiplayer game
concept as part of their final project for the course.
CTIN 482 / 2 units / TBA / 18352R / 7-8:50 pm / T

Programming for Interactive Media
(CTIN)*
This introductory production class is focused on creating
2-D games. We will develop a number of prototypes
while learning the technical capabilities and challenges
of the game engine Torque 2-D. In doing so, we will prepare
ourselves for making a class project—a complete game.
CTIN 483 / 4 units / Peter Brinson / 18354R & 18355R / 10-11:50 am / M
Note: Students must also register for a lecture session,
either 10 am-12:50 pm / W or 1-3:50 pm / W.

Intermediate Game Development
(CTIN)*
This production class is focused on developing 2-D games.
As a core course for Interactive Media undergraduates,
students will learn the art of creating the digital game
prototype—a practice they will hone throughout their
time in the program.
CTIN 484 / 2 units / Peter Brinson / 18357D / 4-5:50 pm / M
Prerequisite: CTIN 483, CTIN 488;
concurrent enrollment: CTIN 489

Game Design Workshop
(CTIN)*
The purpose of this workshop is to examine models
and strategies for creating electronic games that
are based in solid play mechanics. Students will experience
the fundamentals of game design through the study
of classic games, as well as design their own games
and playtest/critique the games of others.
CTIN 488 / 4 units / Chris Swain / 18358R / 7-8:50 pm / T
Recommended preparation: CTIN 309, CTIN 483
Note: Students must also register for a lab section.

Intermediate Game Design Workshop
(CTIN)*
These joint courses are a follow-up to CTIN 483 and
CTIN 488. They introduce students to more advanced
concepts in game design and development such as
ideation, digital prototyping, interface design, formal
playtesting, team work, project scoping
and management. Working in two-person teams, students
will design, prototype, playtest and polish a complete
intermediate game project.
CTIN 489 / 2 units / Tracy Fullerton / 18363D / 4-5:50 pm / W
Prerequisite: CTIN 483, CTIN 488;
concurrent enrollment: CTIN 484

Advanced Game Project
This two-semester advanced project class challenges
students to design and execute a large-scale, innovative
game project. The class introduces professional-level
concepts in game design and development from visual
design and technical implementation to project distribution.
CTIN 491a / 4 units / Chris Swain / 18371D / 3-6:20 pm / Th
Recommended preparation:
CTIN 483, CTIN 484, CTIN 488, CTIN 489

Additional division info: interactive.usc.edu