98-402 Student Taught Courses (StuCo): Evolution of Video Games
3 units, Carnegie Mellon University
Video games are an inherently weird form of entertainment. They combine drawing, animation, music, and almost every other possible form of entertainment. Because of this, video games have evolved dramatically throughout the evolution of technology in the past thirty years. Since video games are designed to engage humans, the way humans interact with games is unique. Since the widespread adoption of the internet in our day-to-day lives, the way we consume video games has changed from being merely a fun toy at an arcade to a career where people make a good living. In this course, we will delve into how video games have gone from being a mere novelty to the most profitable form of entertainment by a significant margin. The core idea of this course is learning how human interaction has inherently altered the way video games are produced and made. Knowing how video games have evolved will help students understand how products evolve to adapt to the wants of the consumer, and how consumption of a product can contribute to its creation. Additionally, through this course, students will gain a brief overview of how our own minds work, habits, and how understanding these things can influence our own behavior. Some familiarity with video games is recommended, but this class can be taken without any knowledge of video games.
Prerequisites: none listed
Offered: Spring 2027, Fall 2026
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