Sophomore year in Drexel’s Game Design & Production (GDAP) program is where students transition from learning the basics to building fully interactive and engaging games. This year focuses on game mechanics, programming, 3D modeling, and team-based development, helping students refine their skills and start thinking about their specialization in the gaming industry.
Core Classes
Sophomore-year courses dive deeper into game engines, design principles, and technical skills. Some key classes include:
Scripting for Game Design (GMAP231): This course explores modern game engine scripting languages that are event-driven, control the art assets, provide multiplayer communication, and database access.
Character Animation for Gaming (GMAP367): This course focuses on character animation techniques for real-time graphics, including cyclical animations, procedural animation, motion capture and integration into game engines.
Game User Interface Design (GMAP211): This course explores the design, prototyping, and evaluation of game user interfaces, focusing on human capabilities, input technologies, and design principles. Students learn to create visually appealing, efficient interfaces through key concepts like learnability, visibility, error prevention, and user perception.
Overview of Computer Gaming (GMAP260): This course presents an overview of computer gaming, including its history, its foundation in traditional games and its contemporary forms. The relationship among genres, platforms and audiences are examined and critical evaluation skills are developed.
Skills You’ll Develop
Sophomore year expands both technical and creative abilities to prepare students for larger game projects:
Advanced Game Programming – Implement complex gameplay mechanics using C# (Unity) or Blueprints/C++ (Unreal Engine).
3D Asset Creation & Animation – Model, texture, and rig game-ready assets for real-time rendering.
Game Design Documentation & Prototyping – Develop structured plans and iterate based on playtesting feedback.
Multiplayer & AI Integration – Experiment with online gameplay and enemy behavior systems.
Projects & Challenges
Sophomore year focuses on team-based projects and expanding creative problem-solving skills. Expect assignments like:
First-Person/Third-Person Prototype – Developing a playable character with movement, interactions, and physics.
3D Game Environment Design – Modeling and texturing immersive game worlds.
Interactive Story Project – Writing and developing a branching narrative experience using Twine or Unity.
AI & Enemy Behavior System – Programming non-playable characters (NPCs) with decision-making logic.
A key challenge at this stage is team collaboration—learning to work efficiently with artists, programmers, and designers in a structured game development pipeline.
Tips for Success
Master your tools. Get comfortable with Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, and game scripting.
Test & iterate constantly. Playtesting is crucial—get feedback early and refine your work.
Build a specialized skillset. Whether it’s level design, AI programming, animation, or storytelling, start focusing on an area of expertise.
Join game dev communities. Participate in game jams, online forums, and networking events to build connections.
Looking Ahead
Sophomore year sets the stage for real-world experience—pre-junior year will involve more polished game projects, portfolio-building, and preparation for co-op applications. Whether focusing on design, programming, or art, now is the time to sharpen skills for future success in the game industry.