3 minute read
Gaming Course Reboots
By Kyle Manthe
During the spring 2020 semester, the MM 393 special topics course originally called Interactive Storytelling rebooted as Video Game Storytelling taught by assistant mass media professor Matt Nyquist.
Finishing up his third full year at Washburn University, Nyquist has continued to use his experience and professional connections to update and develop relevant curriculum.
“The gaming industry is one of the fastest growing in terms of creating new jobs that our students would be suited for. One of my biggest goals for this class is for the students to see and learn the professional side of the gaming industry,” said Nyquist.
Senior Gus Ramirez encourages students to take this course in the future.
“It is well worth your time,” said Ramirez. “Not only is professor Nyquist a wonderful teacher with relevant connections, but this class also helps you get a solid background on the video game industry. It helps you consider video games as a legitimate industry.”
The university has also recognized the value of the industry and approved a interdisciplinary minor in game design in 2019. Nyquist’s course is one of the options students completing the minor can take, but it’s also a smart choice for all mass media concentrations.
“As a department, we are very career focused, so I try to think about that first,” Nyquist said, again mentioning how the gaming industry has job opportunities for all mass media graduates.
And, he does not expect students just to take his word for it. As part of the course, Nyquist 14
Graphic courtesy of Gus Ramirez Gus Ramirez, senior mass media major, completed MM 393 Video Game Storytelling with Assistant Professor Matt Nyquist during spring 2020. Ramirez created the above map for his final project, which was the concept design for his video game concept.
brings in high-level guests from the industry to speak with students.
“I think it is really important for students to hear from people who work in the industry,” Nyquist said.
Senior Josh Cannon and Ramirez both mentioned the quality of the guest speakers they were able to interact with.
Two working editors, Marc Duddelson and Coury Carlson, are founders of the YouTube channel called “My Life in Gaming,” a project that started in their free time and now boasts 172K subscribers. The duo showed students that it’s possible to create your own opportunities.
Students in the class learn a lot about story telling, which is important because students have to create and develop a concept for their own video games. The students do not produce the games in this course due to time constraints, but they spent a lot of time planning for character development, learning how to create meaningful play, creating a story to cover the first three levels,
and finally a marketing plan to help them take their concept to the next level.
With the goal of achieving a video game with a Dungeons and Dragons feel to it, Ramirez describes his game this way: “A fantasy, medieval land named Caevia, under the rule of the Caevian Empire, which is headed by King Roet.”
Players in Ramirez’s game would explore Caevia and its ancient ruins and history, including the “Strum,” which happened 400 years ago and included a 10-year drought and a continuous twoyear lightning storm.”
Quests, open game play and a new world to explore are elements the players would experience.
“Students in this class get to take advantage of professor Nyquist’s broad range of talents and experiences,” said Maria Stover, mass media chair and professor. “His experience in gaming, story
Guest speakers Marc Duddelson (top) and Coury Carlson (bottom), Zoom with students in the Video Game Storytelling course this spring. Duddelson and Carlson created “My Life in Gaming” on YouTube.
telling, cinematography, audio, music, editing along with his connections give our students a truly high-quality and unique experience.”
The course will soon have its own course number and be a regular offering as the department wraps up its 2020 curriculum update.
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