Austin Willoughby
Senior Lecturer
School of Interactive Games and Media
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
Office Location
Austin Willoughby
Senior Lecturer
School of Interactive Games and Media
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
Education
BS, MS, Rochester Institute of Technology
Currently Teaching
IGME-202
Interactive Media Development
3 Credits
In this course, students will learn to create visually rich interactive experiences. It is a course in programming graphics and media, but it is also a course on the relationship between ideas and code. Students will explore topics in math and physics by building programs that simulate and visualize processes in the natural world. Assignments will include major programming projects, such as building a virtual world inhabited by digital creatures that display observable behaviors.
IGME-209
Data Structures & Algorithms for Games & Simulations I
3 Credits
This course focuses upon the application of data structures, algorithms, and fundamental Newtonian physics to the development of video game applications, entertainment software titles, and simulations. Topics covered include 3D coordinate systems and the implementation of affine transformations, geometric primitives, and efficient data structures and algorithms for real-time collision detection. Furthermore, Newtonian mechanics principles will be examined in the context of developing game and entertainment software where they will be applied to compute the position, velocity and acceleration of a point-mass subject to forces and the conservation of momentum and energy. Programming assignments are a required part of this course.
IGME-219
3D Animation and Asset Production
3 Credits
This course provides an overview of 3D game asset production. Basic ideas learned within the first asset production course are also revisited within the 3D environs. Topics covered include modeling, texturing, skinning and animation. Emphasis is put on low polygon modeling techniques, best practices in game art production, and effective communication strategies between artists, programmers and designers.
IGME-309
Data Structures & Algorithms for Games & Simulations II
3 Credits
This course continues the investigation into the application of data structures, algorithms, and fundamental Newtonian mechanics required for the development of video game applications, simulations, and entertainment software titles. Topics covered include quaternion representation of orientation and displacement, cubic curves and surfaces, classifiers, recursive generation of geometric structures, texture mapping, and the implementation of algorithms within game physics engines for collision detection and collision resolution of rigid bodies, and the numerical integration of the equations of motion. In addition, advanced data structures such as B+ trees and graphs will be investigated from the context of game application and entertainment software development. Programming assignments are a requirement for this course.
IGME-430
Rich Media Web Application Development II
3 Credits
This course provides students the opportunity to continue the exploration of Media Rich Internet Applications (MRIAs). Topics include communications for media ecologies, distributed web application frameworks, advanced interactivity, data transformation, representation, automation, persistence, and large scale systems deployment. In addition, students are exposed to concepts and technologies related to the next generation of MRIA development.
IGME-531
Aesthetics and Computation
3 Credits
Students will design and build creative applications, while studying the history of computation in the visual arts, music, and other relevant areas. Technical topics include advanced audiovisual programming techniques, while theoretical topics include foundational discussions on artificial life, generative art, microsound, participatory and process-based art, programming as performance, and computational creativity. Individual and/or group projects will be required.
IGME-599
Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
The student will work independently under the supervision of a faculty advisor on a topic not covered in other courses.
IGME-799
Independent Study
1 - 6 Credits
The student will work independently under the supervision of a faculty adviser on a topic not covered in other courses.
In the News
-
May 1, 2020
VR and noir-style video games top the 2020 RIT student games showcase
Four of the best games created at RIT this year were recently honored in the IGM Games Showcase. More than 20 analog, digital, augmented reality and virtual reality games were submitted to the judging panel. Prizes were awarded to games in four categories.
Featured Work
Mytholympics
Zhehui Qian, Nathaniel Blair, Akshay Rachapudi, Austin Willoughby
Mytholympics: Ancient Gods Compete for Social Media Fame