Students can often be found playing video games in their spare time, but some now are learning how to design the games for others to enjoy.

ITC 383: Computer Game Design is now being offered as a permanent course.

Previously, it was taught as a special topics course for three semesters between 2006 and 2007, said Thomas Ahlswede, a computer science professor.

“I’m still hoping to expand the program,” Ahlswede said.

Fifteen students are signed up for the coming spring semester. The class can hold up to 25, Ahlswede said.

The course is being offered as part of two degree tracks. It is under the information technology major as part of the multimedia track and is an elective for the media design, production and technology track.

Students enrolled in the course learn many things about game design.

“There is quite a sizeable gaming industry using Flash,” he said.

Those wishing to learn how simulation is done will be in luck as well, Ahlswede said.

Students also will be instructed in areas such as game worlds, scrollable backgrounds, scripting motion, sound, storytelling, puzzles and animation in 2D and 3D.

“I like the flexibility of the game design,” said Travis White, a Shepherd senior who is double-majoring in information technology and computer science. “It’s helped me learn a lot about coding structure.”

For now, Ahlswede remains the only professor teaching the course.

“I’m hoping other people will be willing to teach the course in the future,” he said.

In addition to expanding the computer game design class, Ahlswede also is hoping to expand the computer science department in other areas.

He said he hopes to implement a 3D game programming course in the future. However, talk of such a course is in its early stages.

“There are no promises. It has not gone past the talk stage yet,” he said.

Students wanting to enroll in the course must first fulfill two prerequisites by taking an intro to Flash and programming class. To some students, it is well worth the effort.

“It’s useful since I’m going into video game design,” said Michelle Wrighton, a Lake Orion senior. “It’s taught me the process for game design.”

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E-mail the author: Griffin Fraley