Game Asset Design

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Return to Course
Print Guideline
Course
CMPT 3167
Discontinued
No
Course code
CMPT 3167
Descriptive
Game Asset Design
Department
Computing Science
Faculty
Science and Technology
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 2 hours/week

and

Lab: 2 hours/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Lab
Learning activities

The topics are covered through in-class lectures, laboratory assignments, projects, readings, and research.

Course description
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of designing game assets used in virtual environments. Students learn how to create assets in computer-aided design software for modeling, texturing, and animating. Students use a hands-on approach to build custom game assets and environments used in a variety of interactive digital experiences including games. Topics include modelling techniques for object design, meshing, and optimization, lighting, texturing, basics of animating, and the use of physical materials.
Course content
  1. Foundations of computer-aided modelling
    • Overview of the game asset design pipeline
    • Introduction to computer-aided modelling software
    • Object creation and manipulation
    • Creating scenes from primitives
    • Additive vs. subtractive modelling
    • Polygonal meshes
  2. Advanced modelling techniques
    • Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines (NURBS) in curve-based modelling
    • High-poly vs. low-poly modelling
    • Mesh optimization techniques for real-time rendering
  3. Materials, texturing, and UV mapping
    • UV coordinate space for texturing
    • Materials and shading groups
    • Introduction to physically based rendering
  4. Lighting and rendering
    • Local and global illumination models
    • Simulating shadows
    • Rendering workflows and output formats
  5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for pipeline efficiency
    • Overview of AI-assisted tools and techniques
    • Automating repetitive tasks
    • Ethical considerations in AI-assisted content creation
Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • create and optimize game assets for real-time applications using industry-standard modeling, texturing, and rendering techniques;
  • apply lighting, shading, and material workflows to enhance realism and interactivity in virtual environments;
  • utilize Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to streamline and automate repetitive asset creation tasks;
  • compare and evaluate traditional vs. AI-enhanced pipelines for efficiency, quality, and scalability;
  • collaborate effectively in group projects, using shared workflows and version control systems;
  • develop a professional portfolio showcasing individual and group work, demonstrating technical and creative proficiency;
  • critically assess the ethical and creative implications of AI in digital content creation;
  • communicate design decisions and receive feedback through structured peer reviews.
Means of assessment

Assessment will be in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will present a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on the following:

Labs

5-25%

Assignments      

0-20%

Projects

0-30%

Term Test(s)

20-35%

Final Exam

25-40%

Total

100%

In order to receive a D grade (or higher) in the course, students must receive an overall course grade of at least 50% and a grade of at least 50% on the combined weighted examination components (Term Test(s) and the Final Exam).

Textbook materials

Consult the Douglas College Bookstore for the latest required textbooks and materials.

Sample textbooks and materials may include: 

  • Francisco Barros. (Current Edition). Advanced 3D Asset Creation in Unreal Engine 5: Leverage Unreal Engine 5's geometry tools for professional game development and artistry. Packt Publishing.

Prerequisites

CMPT 2167 (with a grade of C or better)

Corequisites

None

Equivalencies

None