Benefits of an introductory course in computer game development

A one-semester introductory undergraduate course in computer game development is described. The freshman-level course has been taught for five years. The course was designed and implemented in the context of a new curriculum in computer game development. Goals of the course were to retain undergraduate computer science (CS) majors, attract new students to CS, and expose students to the content creation pipeline used in advanced courses. A significant aspect of the course is the end-of-semester project to create a machinima - a video created using computer game technology. Besides the initial goals for the course, other benefits were discovered including fostering a sense of community. Results, both quantitative and anecdotal, show the course has exceeded expectations in meeting the goals originally established. The course has been integral to the growth of the CS program, enabling the program to nearly triple in size over four years.