The JapanLab Game Dev course is the engine of the JapanLab experience. Below you will find some commonly asked questions.
What is the goal of the JapanLab Game Dev course?
The goal of the JapanLab Game Dev course is for student-led teams to make educational video games for Japanese Studies classrooms. The course is a practicum, framed around providing real experience with a game development project.
How do I register for the JapanLab Game Dev class?
After you have been interviewed and selected to be part of a JapanLab game dev class, you will get clearance to self-enroll in the designated class during the regular pre-enrollment period. More detailed instructions will be given to successful applicants after they accept a position in the class.
How will my grade be determined?
The key outcome for the semester will be the game project that you work on. There will be small assignments, team- and self-assessments throughout the term that are designed to help with the game design and development process. A completely finished game is not required for a good grade, but sincere investment of effort in the development process is.
Can I in JapanLab through an internship program instead of the JapanLab Game Dev course?
Exceptions to registering for the JapanLab Game Dev class can be made in very rare and extenuating circumstances. Exceptions can only be granted when enough students register for the class to meet the minimum requirement. Students seeking an exception should reach out ASAP to the coordinating faculty to inquire about its possibility.
Will the work in the class be team-based or individual?
Teamwork and specific roles for team members are an important part of the JapanLab experience. Applicants will be selected for specific roles based on their experience (e.g. researcher, programmer, artist) to ensure balance across the class, and the instructing faculty may create teams based on those roles before the start of the class. Every applicant should expect to be part of a larger team and be ready to collaborate with other students in similar roles on other teams.
What do I do if I'm a Bridging Disciplines student?
BDP students in the Digital Arts & Media program wanting to use their JapanLab Game Dev course as their required BDP creative project should submit a BDP Connecting Experience proposal by the BDP office’s deadline for the appropriate semester. Students should communicate with their BDP advisor with any questions and may view the BDP Advising Canvas site for more details. If you are in a BDP certificate other than Digital Arts & Media and you would like to propose this as an internship experience, please reach out to your BDP advisor to ensure that the experience is an appropriate fit with your BDP topic.
