On Nov. 19, 1972, American video game developer and home computer company Atari released what is known as the first successful video game: Pong. Ever since this development, the video game industry has been a growing to captivate more people by the minute. In video game design, students taking the course have the opportunity to explore one of the largest emerging industries in the new era of technology.

“Video game design is a one semester elective where we make computer video games,” junior Carley Torres said. “We are starting from nothing to create a fun and intricate game.”

Using a program called The Games Factory 2, the students create video game projects every couple of weeks. The games can range from bowling games to games where the player jumps from platform to platform.

“We work on many video game projects throughout the semester,” teacher  Tara Balogh said. “Each of the projects contain guided instructions that cover different logic conditions and design principles, so by the end of the semester they have a large knowledge base to pull from when they create their own video game from scratch.”

As the class progresses, the projects get more complicated and the students receive less instruction. Throughout the course, students learn computerized gaming, programming logic and artistic aspects, such as perspective and animation.

“My favorite project was probably a game called ‘Nuggets of Knowledge’,” Torres said. “It is essentially like Pac-Man, but instead of Pac-Man, your head is moving and collecting the rewards. It was a funny game to make.”

Video game design is a class suitable for all people, no matter the experience level.

“My favorite aspect of the class is that it is something that everyone can do,” junior Natalie Weissman said. “It is really cool realizing that I can program just as well as other people.”

This elective can help develop technical proficiency while constructing an original two dimensional (2D) game design. Students often consider video game design as a unique class to take.

“It is not like any of my other classes,” Weissman said. “I think it is a good way to expand your horizons.”