David Simkins
Associate Professor
School of Interactive Games and Media
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
585-475-2391
David Simkins
Associate Professor
School of Interactive Games and Media
Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
Select Scholarship
Full Length Book
Simkins, David. The Arts of LARP: Design, Literacy, Learning and Community in Live-Action Role Play. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2015. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Simkins, David, et al. "Martha Madison: Marvelous Machines: Exploring Simple Machines in an Open-Ended, Collaborative Sandbox." Proceedings of the Frontiers in Education 2014. Ed. M. Castro and E. Tovar. Madrid, Spain: n.p., 2014. Print.
Goodman, Gordon and David Simkins. "Updating Aristotle, Freytag, and Campbell with Lakoff and Frames: Designing Interactive Narratives in Games." Proceedings of the Frontiers in Education 2014. Ed. M. Castro and E. Tovar. Madrid, Spain: n.p., 2014. Print.
Simkins, David, et al. "Gone Home: Playful narratives and Classroom (De)Constructions of Contemporary Culture." Proceedings of the Games+Learning+Society. Ed. A. Ochsner, et al. Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press, 2014. Print.
Simkins, David. "Designing Beyond the Game: Leveraging Games to Teach Designers About Interaction, Immersion, and Ethical Perspective." Proceedings of the Games+Learning+Society. Ed. A. Ochsner, et al. Pittsburgh, PA: ETC Press, 2014. Print.
Steinkuehler, Constance, Sean Duncan, and David Simkins. "Massively Multiplayer Online Games & Education: An Outline of Research." Proceedings of the Computer Supported Collaborative Learning. Ed. C Chinn, G Erkins, and S Putambekar. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University, 2007. Print.
Journal Paper
Simkins, David, Seann Dikkers, and Eliabeth Owens. "Unbroken Immersion." Well Played 2. 1 (2012): 13-25. Print.
Currently Teaching
IGME-602
Game Design
3 Credits
This course presents students with core theories of game design, informed by research results from media theory, narrative methods and models, theories of ideation, and the nature of games, play and fun. Specific emphasis is placed on the examination of historical successes and failures, along with presentation of ethical and cultural issues related to the design of interactive software. Students will engage in formal critique and analysis of media designs and their formal elements.
IGME-603
Gameplay and Prototyping
3 Credits
This course explores the pragmatic issues of creative concept development through story-boarding, pitching, prototyping and play-testing. Students will use various tools and techniques to build game prototypes that they will evaluate through play-testing in an incremental design process informed by market research and analysis.
IGME-623
Theory and Design of Role Play and Interactive Narrative
3 Credits
Role playing games (RPGs) are among the most popular game forms. RPG design incorporates elements from most game genre. This course will address all aspects of design relevant to role play, both digital and analog, and the course will focus on the underlying theory of role play as a practice. We will talk about popular games, but will also spend time on experimental and innovative role play. Students should expect to study playing styles, RPG structure, and to both study and produce effective interactive narrative.
IGME-695
Colloquium in Game Design and Development
1 Credits
This required colloquium will introduce students to a range of emerging topics and themes in the field of game design and development. Students will attend lectures by and discussions with RIT faculty and visitors, complete related readings, and offer both oral and written responses to readings and presentations.
IGME-795
Game Industry Themes and Perspectives
1 Credits
This required course prepares students for a career in the field of game design and development. Students will attend lectures by and discussions with RIT faculty and visitors and produce material to assist in their career preparation.
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.