School of Math, Engineering, Computer Science & Game Development

Pathway Plans

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Multimedia-Simulation and Game Development

Game development is the process of creating a video game. Development is undertaken by a game developer, which may range from a single developer to a global team of developers. In 2020, salaried game developers in the U.S. made an average of $101,644 a year (or $48.87 an hour).

Contact

Chair
James Finley
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Dean
Courtney Doussett (Interim)
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Instructional Department Specialist
Sue Lafferty
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Admin. Assistant to the Dean
Martha Ramirez
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Full-Time Faculty
Jeff Clendenning
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Full-Time Faculty
James Finley
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Full-Time Faculty
Judy Perry
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Academic Programs in Game Development

The academic maps below will give you an idea of the classes you need to take. However, please meet with a counselor to personalize your education plan.

School Trailhead for Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) Suggested Initial Coursework - TRAILHEAD
Associate of Arts (AA) Degree - Area of Emphasis (AOE) in Math & Science - CSU Pathway - MAP
Computer Science for Transfer (ADT) - Pathways for Transfer to a CSU or UC School - MAP
Program Flyer (Computer Information Systems - C++ Programming) - INFO
Program Flyer (Computer Information Systems - Computer Programming) - INFO
Program Flyer (Computer Information Systems - Graphic Design) - INFO
Program Flyer (Computer Information Systems - Java Programming) - INFO
Program Flyer (Game Development - Game Design) - INFO
Program Flyer (Game Development - Game Programming) - INFO
Program Flyer (Game Development - Game Development Core) - INFO
Program Flyer (Game Development - Game Concept Art) - INFO
Program Flyer (Game Development - 3D Game Modeling and Animation) - INFO

Additional Resources

What can I do with this major? (Computer Science) - INFO
What can I do with this major? (Graphic Design) - INFO
Riverside Community College District General Education (RCCD GE) Requirements (PLAN A) - INFO
California State University General Education (CSU GE) Requirements (PLAN B) For students who would like to transfer to a campus in the California State University (CSU) system - INFO
Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) Requirements (PLAN C) For students who would like to transfer to a campus in either the California State University (CSU) or University of California (UC) system - INFO

Career Options

Career options for students who get a degree in game development include: game developer, background artist, game programmer, audio engineer, concept artist, character artist/animator, content designer, and computer programmer.

Student Voice

Trevor Tomey

Trevor Tomey graduated from La Sierra High School in Riverside in 2010 and enrolled at Norco College later that year. Initially, he wasn't sure what he wanted to study so he took several introductory classes, including computer programming, electrical engineering and video game development.

James Finley taught several classes that Tomey took, including a computer programming class, Advanced C++. He was impressed by how Finley taught the class. “He took what is very much a science and made it fun," Tomey said. "That is very difficult to do.”

He hopes to land a job using Unity 3D to script mobile games. “I just want to get to work and start making games,” said Tomey.