Unlocking the Potential: Tulane's Game Studio Empowers Students to Craft Immersive Digital Experiences
In a world where video games have become a global phenomenon, Tulane University is at the forefront of empowering students to explore the art and technology behind these interactive digital experiences. Through the Game Studio classes taught by Professor Jon Chambers, students are given the opportunity to design their own games, experiment with cutting-edge technologies like virtual reality (VR) and motion capture, and gain a deeper understanding of the video game industry.
Elevating the Art of Game Design: Tulane's Innovative Approach
Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bridging Diverse Perspectives
The Game Studio classes at Tulane are part of the Digital Media Practices program, which welcomes students from across the university. Professor Chambers encourages this interdisciplinary approach, as it allows students to bring their unique expertise and perspectives to the table. "I have students bringing in their knowledge from different programs and departments," he explains, "which creates a rich and dynamic learning environment."
Embracing Experimentation and Innovation
Chambers challenges his students to think beyond the traditional boundaries of video game design. "I encourage my students to experiment, to break things, to push themselves beyond the typical first-person shooter or the games that have been made over and over again," he says. By approaching video games as an art form, students learn to critically analyze both the games themselves and the industry that produces them.
Immersive Experiences: Bringing Virtual Worlds to Life
One of the key tools available to students in the Game Studio classes is the motion capture suit, which allows them to create visuals and animations that bring their virtual worlds to life. "The motion capture suit tracks your exact movements," explains Olivia Maki, a senior studying digital media production and studio art. "Whatever you do, the sensors capture it, and you can then integrate that into your game."
Exploring the Boundless Potential of Virtual Reality
In addition to motion capture, students also have the opportunity to create entire virtual worlds that can be experienced through VR headsets. "When working with VR, students can explore embodied immersion that they potentially have never experienced before," says Chambers. "It's fun watching students who have never played VR experience it for the first time, because a lot of times it's an 'aha' moment."
Developing a Newfound Respect for Game Development
The Game Studio classes at Tulane have given students a deeper appreciation for the complexities and challenges of game development. "It is definitely such a detail-oriented experience making a game, and things can go haywire so quickly," says Tori Coover, a senior studying communications. "It's given me a newfound respect for game developers."
Crafting Unique and Immersive Experiences
The students in the Game Studio classes have the freedom to create truly unique and immersive experiences. From an ant's perspective in a kitchen to an office where anything can be a dart, the virtual worlds they build are limited only by their imagination. "It was a really rewarding experience," says Coover, "because being in a VR headset and seeing something that is about five to eight times the size of your character, it's just beautiful."
