Sound is absolutely vital to creating a new world. Game sound designers create the music, dialogue, and sound effects that bring a video game to life.
Is the game environment a dystopian urban jungle or a tropical rainforest? Is your character angry and dark or have a sunny disposition? Is your weapon a spear or a rocket launcher? No matter the answer, sound helps a game to communicate to the player in a way that immerses them completely in the game environment.
In this major, you’ll learn music theory and game sound design by working hands-on in sound studios and game engines, designing soundscapes for games that are developed with your full game team.
Qualities of a Game Sound Design Major:
Van Dora WilliamsProgram Director(802) 865-8476vwilliams@champlain.edu
We’ll send you Game Studio info plus a game art poster designed by our students when you fill out this form!
Thank you. We will be sending you your poster soon.
Introduction to Game Development introduces students to the full game development process from conceptualization to publishing, and to the language common to game development environments. Students learn about the different roles on a game development team, with emphasis placed on teamwork, group problem-solving, and effective communication. Students also create a series of rapid game prototypes.
This course will teach students the basics of music, and how to create music on the computer. Topics include rhythm, phrasing, harmony, melody, and song construction. This is an exciting opportunity, given the virtually unlimited power of today?s Digital Audio Workstations. Music can be assembled from pre-composed elements, played live into the computer, written as notes on an electronic score, or keyed in using a midi piano keyboard. Students will use these digital tools to capture their ideas or inspiration and turn them into music. Several projects will be required, in various styles, for a number of different purposes.
After a brief history of the development of electronic synthesis, students will delve into creating sounds using current industry standard synthesizers. Types of synthesis will include virtual analog, frequency modulation and physical modeling. Digital audio workstations will be used to record and organize the sounds. The vast array of electronic effects in Logic will also be explored. Students will gain a functional knowledge of not only synthesis, but also powerful electronic effect and sequencing options.
In Game Studio I, students from all of the degrees of the Game Studio work together in small, multidisciplinary teams to rapidly conceptualize, plan and prototype a variety of 2D game prototypes. Students explore development for both PC and mobile technology, while learning collaborative skills in communication, agile project management techniques, and version control.
The purpose of the course is to advance the student’s knowledge of audio production in sound and music recording as well as the relationship between sound and picture. The course will cover sound design for music/audio, film, video, egame, web content and other electronic arts. There will be an emphasis on the creative and artistic approaches to sound design. In addition, through assignments and lab work students will further develop the skills of critical listening to fully realize a convincing soundtrack
In Game Studio II, students from all of the degrees of the Game Studio work together in large, multidisciplinary teams to rapidly conceptualize, pitch, plan and develop a 3D game. Students utilize the latest in game technology, while perfecting their collaborative, communication skills, and agile project management techniques.
Students examine the music business industry. We cover the development of business-related knowledge and skills necessary for effectively maintaining a professional music or music management career. We study the vocabulary, terminology and structure of the music industry, and explore the distinction between the musical and the business aspects of the industry at the corporate level. Through completion of assignments each student develops a unique understanding of the music business and of music management.
In EGD 420, Game Studio III, seniors successful in pitching their games during the college capstone in the Fall semester continue into full production. Forming large production teams, games are taken to the perfect polished state of gold master, ready for publication. Academic emphasis for the class is focused on working successfully in a professional studio environment, preparing for entrance into the job market, and taking personal craft to the next level.
Sound design careers are a hybrid of in-studio employees and independent sound designers. In either case, you’ll work within a team to create scores, sound effects, and dialog that give games depth and life.Careers in Game Sound Design include:
The first graduating class for the Game Sound Design major will be 2025.
Game Sound Design
“Be inquisitive. Be open to learning and be willing to explore in areas that perhaps you didn’t think you would have an interest in. Be open to that because in that space is where you will really learn how your skills and your creativity can really blossom.”
The knowledge and skills you will acquire through the Business Administration 18-credit minor will serve you well upon graduation, especially if you are entering the workforce as a freelance sound designer. Over the course of your minor, you’ll gain a foundational knowledge and skills in microeconomics, financial accounting, financial management and marketing, as well as management and organizational behavior.
Do you have an idea you’d like to turn into a profitable business? This 15-credit minor provides a roadmap for how to start and plan a potential business or nonprofit. You’ll develop key entrepreneurial skills through individual projects, business plans and models, and by learning to conduct customer research and analyze case studies, you’ll gain insight into what it takes to create and maintain a successful business. The Entrepreneurship minor is especially geared to students interested in social entrepreneurism and using the power of business to build a better world.
In the Interactive Narrative minor you’ll learn how to tell unique kinds of stories that are immersive, non-linear, and engage an audience in a wholly new and unique way. The art of interactive storytelling is particularly vital for Game and Professional Writing majors, but the skills you’ll learn from this minor apply to media in a huge range of fields: communication, film, education, and interpretive curation, with other opportunities emerging every day.
By deepening your understanding of programming, Game Design majors will become better equipped to work collaboratively with programmers to bring their ideas to life. You’ll be able to create stronger game features and will develop a stronger understanding of the architecture that underpins a game.
Whether you are a musician now or just considering how you could use technology to create sound, Game Sound Design could be your path. Champlain College is the ideal setting to learn the tools, techniques, and best practices of creating audio for video games. In addition to learning your own field, you’ll learn how to do the job while collaborating as part of a full development team. A bachelor’s degree in Game Sound Design from Champlain College shows employers that you’re enthusiastic, experienced, and ready to get to work.
We look for strong writing and communication skills and a balanced academic background from applicants. There is no portfolio requirement for this major.
Preparation
Academic preparation includes successful completion of a college preparatory curriculum, including:
Applying
If one of the elements of your academic profile is not as strong as your overall application we recommend a Personal Interview to demonstrate the personal qualities we look for in admitted students. We are seeking individuals who are highly motivated to achieve their professional and personal goals.
You can apply to Champlain College using the Common Application or the Champlain College Application. Both are free. Regardless of which you choose, all applications are considered equally.
If you’re ready to learn how to compose music and soundscapes so you can score games alongside your game development team, we want to hear from you.
The Champlain Sound Studio has been designed and built from the ground up as a music studio. It has complete sonic isolation, including floated floors and walls, custom wiring, and an SSL XL desk—a world class mixing console.
The Game Studio at Champlain College is the premier program for students looking to get a professional game development experience from day one of their education. Take major-specific classes and learn the skills and techniques that go into building your favorite games. Work as a team with other game students and construct fully functional games that you can download, play, and publish. By graduation, you’ll be prepared to succeed in a rewarding career in game development. At the Game Studio, we don’t simulate what game development could look like—we put you in the middle of the real game studio experience.
We’ll send you Game Studio info plus a game art poster designed by our students when you fill out this form.
Thank you for your submission!
