Gaming Japan: JapanLab pairs a seminar on Japanese history, literature, or film with a game development laboratory in which students work in teams to either design and build a game or produce a comprehensive game concept proposal. The first half of the course emphasizes close engagement with primary sources and current scholarship in Japanese Studies while introducing core ideas from game studies. The second half converts the classroom into a collaborative studio where students develop either a playable prototype or a polished concept package through a sequence of scaffolded milestones, playtests, and revisions. The semester concludes with a public showcase in which teams present their prototypes or Game Design Document. For Spring semester 2027, we are recruiting for teams for two courses. For past games see below

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Apply by October 25, 2026

Applications are competitive as space is limited. It will take around 45 minutes to complete the application. Successful applicants will be asked to interview on a rolling basis starting in October. Find answers to frequently asked questions here.

No prior experience is required, but an ideal team will include students with a combination of:

  • Traditional art and/or digital art skills

  • Computer Science / coding experience

  • Experience in background music and/or sound design

  • Research experience

  • Strong creative and/or analytical writing skills

Students with any of the above are encouraged to apply.

Successful applicants will be required to register in the JapanLab Game Dev course, which is at the following times:

  • ANS 361 GAMING JAPAN-JAPANLAB

    MW 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm RLP 0.106

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Understand relevant debates related to important topics in Japanese studies

  • Analyze how video games make arguments through mechanics, narrative framing, and audiovisual style.

  • Investigate the video game industry and the key challenges faced by designers of educational video games

  • Collaborate effectively in defined roles (design, programming, art, narrative, sound, production) using basic project management, version control, and sprint planning.

  • Produce a game prototype or comprehensive Game Design Document grounded in significant literary texts that demonstrates scoping, iteration, and cross-functional teamwork.

  • Develop oral communication and presentation skills