Sten McKinzie

Senior Lecturer

School of Interactive Games and Media

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

semigm@rit.edu

585-475-7097

Office Hours

Meeting Online (https://rit.zoom.us/my/semigm) Mon, Tues, Wed 9am-11am Wed, Thur 3pm-5pm

Office Location

GOL-2551

Sten McKinzie

Senior Lecturer

School of Interactive Games and Media

Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Education

BS, MS, Rochester Institute of Technology

Bio

Sten Erickson McKinzie is an award-winning Animator/Interactive Media Developer whose industry career and experience spans nearly two decades.

Since receiving his Bachelors of Fine Arts from the School of Film and Animation at RIT, Sten has worked as an animator, a multimedia designer and Creative Director in the Interactive Media and Games industry, primarily in Chicago and LA.

Sten has always had a passion for teaching. He feels a responsibility to share his experience and knowledge with future generations of animators and developers. To this end, during his time in industry, he worked as an adjunct lecturer and regularly took on co-ops and interns.

In 2010, Sten decided to leave industry and return to graduate school so that he could pursue his passion, full-time. He received his Master of Fine Arts from RIT in Computer Graphic Design/Visual Communication Design. Sten now enjoys a full-time faculty position in the School of Interactive Games and Media at RIT.

semigm@rit.edu

585-475-7097

Personal Links

Curriculum Vitae

Currently Teaching

IGME-320

Game Design & Development II

3 Credits

This course continues to examine the core theories of game design as they relate to the professional field. Beginning with a formalized pitch process, this course examines the design and development paradigm from story-boarding and pre-visualization through rapid iteration, refinement, and structured prototyping exercises to further examine the validity of a given design. Specific emphasis is placed on iterative prototyping models, and on methodologies for both informal and formal critique. This course also explores production techniques and life-cycle in the professional industry.

IGME-420

Level Design

3 Credits

This course introduces level design theory and best practice through game level analysis, evaluation, and creation. Students will learn by analyzing game levels from existing games and discussing what made those levels successful or unsuccessful. Through their analysis and hands on experience, students will gain an understanding of overall level design including layout, flow, pacing, and balance. They will enhance their understanding of level design principles by creating their own game levels.

IGME-424

Tools and Techniques for Video Game Modification

3 Credits

This course will build upon concepts introduced in IGME-420 Level Design to produce new game content, including quests, NPCs, and environmental structures for existing games. It will explore the process, planning, and implementation of existing games through modification. Students will develop content that will include new in-game objects, NPCs, environments, and quest lines. This modified content will be designed and tested to ensure seamless integration with the existing game, and ultimately published to online distribution networks where real players can experience that new content within existing games.

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-788

Capstone Design

3 Credits

This course allows students within the game design and development program to develop a capstone proposal and design document. The capstone design document specifies the scope and depth of the capstone project. In addition, it defines the group and individual responsibilities for the cohort capstone project experience.

IGME-789

Capstone Development

3 Credits

This course provides master of science in game design and development students with capstone project experiences. Students are expected to work in cohorts towards the implementation of a game system that properly illustrates proficiency in the application of theory and practice towards a large-scale project. For each student, individual responsibilities for the group project will be defined in consultation with both the group and the faculty. Students must successfully complete the Capstone Design course and present a satisfactory capstone project proposal to the faculty before enrolling in this course.

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

July 30, 2024

Travel-enhanced game design and development course takes students to Japan

The two-week trip was the culmination of the Japanese Game Industry course, where students learned about the world’s third largest video game market. RIT students immersed themselves in the culture, participated in a game jam with Japanese students, and visited a major Japanese game studio.
June 4, 2024

RIT and AT&T offer video game development camp for underrepresented students

RIT and AT&T are teaming up to host a digital game development program that addresses equality issues in technology education and helps local students impacted by the digital divide.
August 5, 2023

Camp that aimed to bridge digital divide touted by local officials

Rochester Business Journal reports that more than 50 underrepresented public and charter school students in grades third through sixth participated in the inaugural AT&T ROC Jr. Game Dev Camp Powered by RIT.

More News

Featured Work

Ball Animals

Alfie Luo and Allie Zhao ’22

Ball Animals is a 4-player competitive party game. In the game, each player controls a ball-shaped animal and needs to try their best to knock other players out using their bellies.