Leveling Up ILCC’s Game Design

Morgan Larson, Writer

Isn’t it amazing how the world of technology has evolved? In many aspects, the community of technology has been able to open doors to endless possibilities toward imagination. The world of gaming and virtual reality is becoming the norm to everyday entertainment. For many, gaming and streaming provide an escape from the realities, they face and explore their creativity and imaginative boundaries.  

As this community continues to advance to new heights, Iowa Lakes Community College (ILCC) has the coursework and resources that open new doors to passionate gamers who want to make their gaming world their own from the beginning. Only at Iowa Lakes Community College will students gain the insight they need and the inspiration to pursue their passion for becoming successful game designers.   

The Game Design & Development program at Iowa Lakes Community College is the program to pursue if enrolling students have a niche for gaming in any aspect. The program’s sole professor gives an in-depth analysis of the program itself and his view on his student’s development toward this vast area of change and opportunity.   

Weston Miller is the professor behind the Game Design & Development programs curriculum and course work. Miller recently stepped up to the task of teaching this program in the spring of 2020. He believes his skills and familiarity with the ILCC enabled him to stand where he is positioned today.   

Interestingly enough, some students become curious about what it took to achieve their standing to teach these programs at ILCC. For Miller, it all started with ILCC. He touches on the education that has led him to his qualifications to teach within this program.   

“I attended Iowa Lakes right out of high school and acquired my A/A and A/S. Then I graduated from the University of Northern Iowa with a degree in Computer Science,” said Miller. (It is essential to note that Miller is the only professor within the Game Design & Development program that instructs all the primary curricular courses. One can imagine his class schedule.)   

What sets this program off from the rest that ILCC offers is its structure of a field that is becoming increasingly versatile as gaming and creativity take new leaps of change. For future students who are dedicated to gaming and find curiosity in the development of the games they play, Weston believes enrolling at ILCC offers them that opportunity.   

“The GD&D program offers students the opportunity to learn how to create games directly and how to design them properly,” said Miller. “There are many videos and tutorials on how to create a game, but very few teach the design behind the process,” Miller added that students would gain a firm foundation in software development- rounding them out as a developer.  

Miller touches on the subject, “The class sizes are a bit low, and we have to concern ourselves with any of the virus’s symptoms frequently. I have been trying my best to make everything as normal as possible, as this won’t be the situation forever, and they will need to know how to do their work in a more normal atmosphere.” Miller wants to ensure that safety precautions are always followed.   

Although COIVD-19 has impacted nearly everything in today’s world, the Game Design & Development program has had its fair share of shifting learning spaces and ensuring how to protect students and staff’s safety while continuing its educational values. Comparing and contrasting what has changed and what has remained the same for the program during this time has been interesting to see.   

In Miller’s position, he perceives the program has not adapted to the COIVD-19 regulations. “There isn’t much for adaptation,” commented Miller. “We wear masks, keep our distance, and do our work. Our program is rather well set up for this as it is!”  

Every student has their way of filter and taking in information; for students within the Game Design & Development program and its curriculum, they fall under the umbrella of thriving with their responses. Miller believes his students vary differently from the functionalities of the program. “Different students have various reactions.   

Some preferred the Intro to Game Design course where they created game pitches and looked at the foundations of designing a course from zero,” said Miller. In the spring semester, students learn how to create levels for the games they design and create character models, which is complex and technical. “Next year is where they have their greatest hurdles, though, as they must build out their games and add actual functionality,” added Miller.   

Miller provides a few key points that help establish a future game designer within everything the Game Design & Development’s curriculum offers. Miller goes on to say, “The program walks students through the process of designing a game, pitching the game to a board, designing, and creating levels, creating character models and assets, and building out a game. We encapsulate most of the process to prepare students for what they will be doing.”  

Like any two-year college system, sophomores will be graduating and venturing off into the real world of employment and opportunity. With the ongoing effect of COVID, virtually every field of employment has been touched by this pandemic in subtle or drastic ways.

Miller believes that his graduates will not have an issue finding work after graduating. “They will be able to work as game developers just fine. The job market is a bit hit and miss right now (especially due to COVID), but there is always a place for those who can distinguish themselves from other applicants, which our students will be able to do,” said Miller.   

“I structured the program in a way so that they will have a firm foundation in general computer science as well- so they could work as software developers, IT technicians, database developers, or network technicians. The only limits my students will have are their effort and motivation!” Miller said confidently. It is always a great feeling to see that professors within any ILCC program continue to stay optimistic in this still uncertain time.   

Game designers are constantly working on new, fun concepts or continuing current projects. Miller says that gamers always have projects to do when it comes to game development.

“My students will always have projects coming up-it is the nature of the field. One such example is in 3D Level Design: they will be forming small teams and building several levels for a game.”  

Iowa Lakes Community College always has something to offer, and so does Weston Miller’s Game Design & Development program. As the world continues to push through this pandemic, game designing changes and advancements keep growing every day. 

New students who are thinking about enrolling in this program and are passionate about everything gaming, definitively check out Miller’s program. At Iowa Lakes Community College, you will be sure to level up your knowledge and turn it into something extraordinary.