Although communication is one of the most popular majors at High Point University, many students are not aware of one of the major’s concentrations: Game and Interactive Media Design.

The program focuses on all aspects of game design, from concept development and character development to puzzle, obstacle and level design and 3D modeling for video games.

During the summer of 2014, two students in the Game Design program came up with the idea to start an extra-curricular club to further develop their skills outside of a traditional classroom environment.

“We got the idea over the summer to compensate for the divide between HPU and other schools [with game design programs], particularly art schools that are much more work and product-oriented,” said club co-founder and Vice President Sam Schoenfeld. “Essentially, we are students trying to learn more outside of class, so we came together to teach one another and learn together, building portfolio work and critiquing one another in a constructive manner.”

The group meets twice a week, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and meetings are usually attended by between 10 and 20 students in the Game Design track. Game Design club is mentored by Professor Brian Heagney, who teaches in the Game and Interactive Media Design program.

Schoenfeld and Steven Michael Smith, the club’s president, “individually lead portions of club and rally the troops,” according to Schoenfeld. Both leaders have taken on individual duties for the group, and they coordinate with each other effectively to work together on a more personal level.

The group started two smaller projects earlier this year, but attendance has been inconsistent because the club is so new, so they recently started another project.

“We are now working on a game called [N]VISIBLE, which is a puzzle game based off light and what you can and can’t see while navigating through this darkness,” said Schoenfeld. “We want to become a student developer and release at least one solid game as a ‘production studio.’”

The group is working to create a network that future students can capitalize on when they are trying to find internships and jobs during their college career.

“We’re trying to get all of the HPU students who have the ambition to be at the level they need to be to enter the industry,” said Schoenfeld.