The variety of fields reflects the program’s focus on studying games in an interdisciplinary way.
“We think about games in culture and games as culture, and our interns are working not only in actual game design but also in the many areas that intersect with game development and analysis,” said Phill Penix-Tadsen, associate professor of Spanish and Latin American studies and chair of the game studies and esports program. “Video games today cross over with everything from the medical field to education to laboratory science.”
The program includes a required semester-long internship. The interdisciplinary training prepares students to understand every aspect of game development and game culture and also allows them to find their own specialized path in a highly diverse industry.
“These types of experiences allow the students to learn from professionals in a hands-on way and to get the kind of feedback that pushes them to produce polished work they can include in a professional portfolio and build on in their careers,” Penix-Tadsen said.
Incorporating music with game design
Barton is a musician (piano, violin and percussion) who changed his major from music education to a double major in game studies and esports and music in the spring of 2022. So when an opportunity arose to work as a music and sound design intern at Cardona Pinball Designs, he jumped at the chance. The company, owned by UD alumnus James Cardona, creates hardware and software kits that upgrade 1980s and ’90s pinball machines to modern standards for graphics, hi-def sound and new rules.
Barton said it’s been an incredible experience. He’s enthusiastic about the projects he’s worked on and is excited to pursue similar ones in the future.
“In the classroom, we have a coding aspect and an art aspect. We’re learning to do 3D modeling, and next semester I’m taking Intro to Creative Sound Design,” said Barton, who’s graduating in December. “I also have that extensive music background, so when Mr. Cardona asked me to find music and sound to fit the pinball game we’re making right now, it was perfect.”
Cardona, who graduated from UD in 2010, at first wasn’t sure how students in the game studies and esports major — which didn’t exist when he was a student — would help him. But it didn’t take long for him to realize working with younger Blue Hens would be a very rewarding experience. Cardona meets with Barton and two other UD student interns every two weeks, and the students present their work and critique one another.