Instructor Spotlight
Rob Craig
Associate Professor
John A. Logan College
With over a decade in electronics, computer technology and applied media, Rob Craig has taught and developed hands-on courses at John A. Logan College focusing on digital electronics, microprocessors, computing hardware, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence. As the founder and advisor of the Game Mechanics Research Studio, he brings his own video game design and production experience into the classroom. Rob earned a Master of Science in Professional Media and Media Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale in May 2011.
Course: DMT 170 – Intro to Video Game Industry & Design
The course covers game history, genres, platforms, narrative, character development, and game industry careers. Students play early arcade games and review, then a bigger game (Gravitas) and write a bigger review. I discuss the process of my game design (SIU Campus Life Pinball), demonstrate the engine and assets, and let them play it for a class session. The final project is their Game Design Document.
Why Game Development Essentials:
It’s important to hook students quickly in any course. For me, it’s a head-first dive into the history of games – including real-life stories of the dawn of coin-operated games and pinball machines. I was fortunate to live through the ’70s and ’80s. Students love the stories – but even more, playing the games on emulators. I feature games that are in the book so students can see why they were iconic and influential – with mechanics that can be found in many games today!
Favorite Game(s):
The entire BioShock franchise is fantastic! BioShock repeated for me the same immersive experience I had when I played the shareware version of Doom in the ’90s. The narrative and characters are fantastic. I go back into that world every couple of years.
