CompSci 390: Computer Game Design
Fall 2025
Course Meeting Time (2 Distinct Sections)
- Section 4: 10:05AM – 11:20AM in Biological Sciences (BioSci) room 155
- Section 5: 3:05PM – 4:20PM in Levine Science Research Center (LSRC) room D106
Course Description
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of computer game design and production, focusing on both the technical and creative aspects. Students will learn to use popular game development tools such as Pico-8 and Unity. Some key topics include game mechanics, graphics, artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and game theory. From the initial game concept to prototyping, coding, and playtesting, students will gain hands-on experience in creating 2D games. No prior game development experience is required, but a strong foundation in programming is needed.
This course is adapted from Prof. Mark Sherriff’s CS 4730 course at the University of Virginia, shared under a CC BY-SA4.0 license. Thank you, Prof. Sherriff, for your valuable contributions to game design education and for sharing your work!
Requirements
Background
- CompSci 201
- Either CompSci 210 or CompSci/ECE 250
Lectures will primarily be conceptual, discussing game design elements. You will be expected to learn how to use required game development tools independently, with guidance from provided resources and any additional resources that comply with our collaboration guidelines.
Readings
- Required Textbook
- Game Design Workshop: A Playcentric Approach to Creating Innovative Games by Tracy Fullerton – Available online as a PDF through the Duke library for free.
- Optional Reading
- Reality Is Broken: Why Games Make Us Better and How They Can Change the World by Jane McGonigal. The Duke library has two copies.
Tools
Games
Your choice of either:
