Animation and Graphic Game Programming Degree Program

(Earn your AGGP degree through the Division of Community Education evenings option in four years. Contact Professor Simkin at for details.)

The business of computer game development in the United States has recently passed the $13 billion dollar annual sales level, almost twice the annual sales for admission to movie theaters in the motion picture industry. Computer game development is a fast growing industry with opportunities for a wide variety of jobs. There are over 50 companies in the computer game development industry in the Boston and surrounding area. There are a number of "hot spots" for computer game development around the country. Boston and the surrounding area is one of the spots with over six major studios.

Creating computer programs using animated graphics is a challenging and fascinating process. It is very exciting to see others play the games you created!

The love of computer games is desirable for this degree. But creating computer games is not the same as playing computer games. Successful programmers in computer game development possess a high level of skill and expertise in programming, math, and physics making the artistic digital display come to life. Long hours of research and development are required.

The teams developing computer games normally fall into two major categories; the creative graphic artists and the programmers. Each must understand the tools and processes used in the other specialty to be able to communicate effectively. The Animation and Graphic Game Programming (AGGP) curriculum focuses primarily on the programming and computer technical aspects. However, introduction to the tools and skills of artistic digital design will be covered to support a successful team development understanding.

This program prepares students for:

• entry level computer programming jobs in the entertainment business or a wide range of industries such as medical, forensics, architectural, training development, advertising or any industry incorporating animation and graphics to improve communication; and/or
• the opportunity for advanced education in the field of animation and graphics via degree granting schools or specialized schools focused on the entertainment fields.

In New Hampshire, you may transfer to two schools based on inter-school agreements after graduating from the AGGP degree to pursue your BS or BA degrees in fields related to game development; Southern New Hampshire University and Daniel Webster College. There are a number of schools at which continued education is possible, please review the range of possibilities at http://www.gamasutra.com/education/. (Please refer to the note at the bottom of this web page).

Microsoft in late 2007 issued a press release announcing their XNA development technology for creating games on the Xbox 360, ten schools were included leading the way in adding this capability to their curriculum. NHTI was included in this list and was the only two year school included. This cutting edge concept adds to AGGP solid traditional game development languages and tools.

The AGGP program will focus on the programming language C++ which is the main language used to develop computer games. The programming language C# will also be included as it is emerging as the next language for game development. Other languages used include Adobe Flash Actionscript, Sun Java, and Autodesk 3ds Max scripting.

The students will be introduced to computer game development initially with Adobe Flash using the programming language ActionScript which is very C++ like. Visit the following student link to see what is developed in the first course of the AGGP curriculum, http://www.metrocast.net/~mtibbals/. (Please refer to the note at the bottom of this web page)

The students will progress from 2-D to 3-D game development. Learning to utilize a 3-D game engine will be part of the curriculum using Steam Source. The programming Application Program Interface DirectX will be covered. Artistic skills will be covered in two required fine arts courses related to drawing and display as well as two courses using a state of the art graphic development environment; Adobe Photoshop and Autodesk 3ds Max.

Both math and physics play a key role to successful game development and are incorporated in all the game related courses. There is a focus on these topics in a specific course blending animation graphics which is relatively unique in the field of game development curriculum at the community college level.

Key to the success of the graduates:

Each student will be required to develop a portfolio to display their talents and creative capabilities. Each student is expected to take part in a computer project with a game development company to gain “real world” experience.

The degree of Associate in Science with a major in Animation and Graphic Game Programming will be awarded upon successful completion of all program requirements.

Specific Admission Requirements

1. Minimum Math Requirement: Provides the ability to complete the AGGP curriculum and the ability to obtain an initial job. High school algebra I with a grade of “C” or higher or NHTI's MT 103 Algebra I - Part I and MT 104 Algebra I - Part II, both with grades of “C” or higher. A mathematics assessment test is required prior to registration into MT 123 Intermediate Algebra. (Prepares students for MT 123 math track.)

   Preferred Math: Ability to create more effective games in the AGGP curriculum and improves transferability to some other colleges. High school algebra I, algebra II, and geometry with grades of “C” or higher, or NHTI's MT 108 Introductory Technical Mathematics I and MT 109 Introductory Technical Mathematics II both with grades of “C” or higher. A mathematics assessment test is required prior to registration into MT 133 Elementary Functions. (Prepares students for MT 133 math track.)

   Best Math: Ability to make very effective games while in the AGGP program and improves transferability to a wide range of colleges. Those students who have had high school math beyond the courses listed for "Preferred Math" listed above should take MT 205 Calculus. Most major schools offering a BS degree in game development require Calculus in the initial first two years. A mathematics assessment test is required and/or approval of the Department Head prior to registration into MT 205 Calculus.

2. High school level physics is recommended.
3. Basic working knowledge of the Windows operating system, word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and the Internet or IT 102 PC Applications with a grade of “C” or higher. (Students may be required to take computer skills assessment test.)

Internship Considerations
The college must ensure that individuals (customers, employees, etc.) at internship and service learning sites are not adversely affected by students during learning experiences. Therefore, students participating in internship and field experiences must demonstrate the emotional stability required to exercise sound judgment, accept direction and guidance from a supervisor or faculty member and establish rapport and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with employees, customers and clients.

Information about transferring to other institutions

# Indicates major field courses.
* Recommend the combination of MT 133 Elementary Functions and PH 133 Physics I: Mechanics, Heat for those students planning to continue their education. One of the following math courses must be completed as part of the AGGP curriculum to graduate: MT 123, MT 133, MT 134 or MT 205.
** Any course with a prefix of AN, EO, HI, PS, PY or SO (except HI 104 and HI 105).
+ BI 100, CH 100, and PH 100 do not meet this requirement.
*** Required to take two FA xxx courses as part of the degree. Required to take FA 101 but may select the second course from the following: FA 103, FA 104, FA 120, FA 130, FA 133, FA 201 or FA 210.

(There exists a three year path through the above two year curriculum for those students who need a reduced load. Contact Professor Simkin at for details.)

(Please note: The above links to web sites are not 508 accessible. If you would like more information regarding the content housed on these external sites, please contact Terrance Simkin at or Greg Walek at .) Revised July 11, 2008