DePaul University Athletics
DePaul’s CDM Game Design Students Develop Athletics-Themed Computer Games
5/10/2021 8:54:00 AM | ATHLETICS
Two games developed for DIBS Kids Club members
CHICAGO – The nationally-recognized game design programs in DePaul University's College of Computing and Digital Media (CDM) recently partnered with the athletics department on a pair of game design projects. Over the years, DePaul Athletics has utilized the talents of students from both CDM and the Art School at DePaul to enhance engagement with students and fans.
Over the last two academic quarters, the athletics department worked with two talented students from CDM as game design interns. An introduction from Brother Mark Elder C.M., Muralist and professor in the Art School, brought senior Game Design major Quinn Davis to athletics as part of her ART 383 internship with the purpose of developing a game for children ages 12 and under.
"A number of students in gaming and animation take classes within the Art School to sharpen their art skills before utilizing it in a technological way," said Elder. "Athletics was a natural fit for Quinn to enhance her skills and create a project that others could enjoy."
Davis recruited fellow senior and Computer Science major Michael Vanderwerf to help with the coding and quickly they formed a great team that created two DePaul Athletics-themed computer games for the DIBS Kids Club. Davis and Vanderwerf gained invaluable experience throughout the process and saw their visions come to fruition.
"It was great to see these projects all the way through from the initial concept to the final product," Davis said. "It gave us the opportunity to work with a client for the first time and shifted our mindsets to ensure we met their standards and completed everything in a timely manner."
"This internship really challenged both of us to learn on our own, since we did not have a professor to guide us every step of the way," said Vanderwerf. "It was such a valuable experience for us and we're very excited to see how this area grows within the athletics department."
Roger Uy, Assistant Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, oversaw the interns and was thrilled with the final products.
"I am so proud of Quinn and Michael and the work they put in this year," said Uy. "They set the blueprint for future collaborations and the timing could not have been any better."
The DIBS Kids Club had just re-launched in the fall and was the perfect audience for the games, especially because of COVID-19 restrictions. Kids Club members were given the first chance to play both games as they were introduced in their exclusive monthly e-newsletter. In addition, members could play the games to win prizes such as DIBS bobbleheads or mini DePaul basketballs.
The first game called "Buzzer Beater," allows young gamers to play as DIBS the Blue Demon and try to score as many baskets as possible in 30 seconds. As a participant's score increases, the basket moves up or down and the shooting arrow speeds up.
"DIBSmoji Memory Match" is DePaul's take on a classic matching game and features 20 different DIBSmojis. The game includes three different levels and can be enjoyed by all ages.
Think you can beat a 5th grader? Check out the games below and challenge your younger Blue Demon!
Note: Games must be played on a desktop computer or laptop.
Over the last two academic quarters, the athletics department worked with two talented students from CDM as game design interns. An introduction from Brother Mark Elder C.M., Muralist and professor in the Art School, brought senior Game Design major Quinn Davis to athletics as part of her ART 383 internship with the purpose of developing a game for children ages 12 and under.
"A number of students in gaming and animation take classes within the Art School to sharpen their art skills before utilizing it in a technological way," said Elder. "Athletics was a natural fit for Quinn to enhance her skills and create a project that others could enjoy."
Davis recruited fellow senior and Computer Science major Michael Vanderwerf to help with the coding and quickly they formed a great team that created two DePaul Athletics-themed computer games for the DIBS Kids Club. Davis and Vanderwerf gained invaluable experience throughout the process and saw their visions come to fruition.
"It was great to see these projects all the way through from the initial concept to the final product," Davis said. "It gave us the opportunity to work with a client for the first time and shifted our mindsets to ensure we met their standards and completed everything in a timely manner."
"This internship really challenged both of us to learn on our own, since we did not have a professor to guide us every step of the way," said Vanderwerf. "It was such a valuable experience for us and we're very excited to see how this area grows within the athletics department."
Roger Uy, Assistant Director of Marketing and Community Outreach, oversaw the interns and was thrilled with the final products.
"I am so proud of Quinn and Michael and the work they put in this year," said Uy. "They set the blueprint for future collaborations and the timing could not have been any better."
The DIBS Kids Club had just re-launched in the fall and was the perfect audience for the games, especially because of COVID-19 restrictions. Kids Club members were given the first chance to play both games as they were introduced in their exclusive monthly e-newsletter. In addition, members could play the games to win prizes such as DIBS bobbleheads or mini DePaul basketballs.
The first game called "Buzzer Beater," allows young gamers to play as DIBS the Blue Demon and try to score as many baskets as possible in 30 seconds. As a participant's score increases, the basket moves up or down and the shooting arrow speeds up.
"DIBSmoji Memory Match" is DePaul's take on a classic matching game and features 20 different DIBSmojis. The game includes three different levels and can be enjoyed by all ages.
Think you can beat a 5th grader? Check out the games below and challenge your younger Blue Demon!
Note: Games must be played on a desktop computer or laptop.
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