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Northeastern University · Courses

GSND

27 courses with the subject GSND, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.

GSND 1990Elective1-4

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated without limit.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 2990Elective1-4

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated without limit.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 3990Elective1-4

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated without limit.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 4990Elective1-4

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated without limit.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 5110Game Design and Analysis4

Corequisite(s): GSND 5111

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 5111Seminar for GSND 51101

Corequisite(s): GSND 5110

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
1
Credit unit
Hour
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 5122Business Models for Creative Media1

Examines the underlying business structure of the interactive digital entertainment and creative media industry and the characteristics of the various stakeholders─notably creators, developers, studios, and publishers─and how they interact. Seeks to deliver insight into key business models within the creative media industry and their economic challenges. Explores the business landscape across the industry spectrum, from independent creators and small studios to midsize companies and major corporations. Examines market strategies currently in practice and how they are linked with analytics. Topics range from retail vs. online as well as basic monetization and distribution channels.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
1
Credit unit
Hour
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 5130Mixed Research Methods for Games4

Focuses on methods and methodologies from human-computer interaction (HCI) and their use in different applications, including apps, web applications, games, and virtual worlds. Covers the basics of user-oriented evaluation, associated topics, and usability methods. Introduces the design process, usability heuristics, HCI paradigms, task models, and cognitive models. Examines quantitative and qualitative analysis of data. Offers students an opportunity to delve into experimental design, institutional review board approvals, ethics, research subject recruitment, and experiment implementations. Applies concepts through concrete projects, case examples, and exercises. Expects students to be running assignments continually and trying out different evaluation methods and methodologies.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 5310Novel Input Devices4

Attribute(s): NUpath Creative Express/Innov

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6000Advanced Topics in Game Design1-4

Explores a variety of advanced topics in game design, including the multimedia, multidisciplinary nature of games. Taught by faculty according to their research interests and expertise.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6001Advanced Topics in Game Science
Subject
GSND
Type
course
Edition
2024-2025
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6225Applied Game Design4

Focuses on the design and development of applied games that effectively and ethically utilize the motivational characteristics of entertainment games to meet beneficial, nonentertainment outcomes for its players (such as serious games, gamification, games for social change, games for health, game-based learning, etc.). Studies and applies related learning and motivational theories and paradigms from larger academic fields, a selection of relevant board and digital game mechanics, salient applied game design cases, and preexisting applied game design and assessment methods. Culminates in a portfolio-building final project, during which the students apply the course materials within a simplified applied game development process.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6240Exploratory Concept Design4

Explores the process of designing new modalities of interaction utilizing novel uses of established technology, e.g., pervasive and affective technologies. Focuses on philosophy and practice of creating and evaluating experimental interactions. Recontextualizes gameplay concepts through permutations of basic elements such as controls, platforms, cameras, interfaces, etc. Leverages constraints as vehicles to push the boundaries of accepted design. Explores four key approaches to experimental interaction through course projects and assignments: discovering, examining, and exploring potential new technologies and interaction principles; rapidly designing and prototyping experimental interactions; pitching, justifying, and explaining designs and prototypes to others; and addressing new technologies and forms of interaction from a research perspective, focusing on their larger implications and potential impact on play.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6250Spatial and Temporal Design4

Explores the development and understanding of spaces used by people in 3D and 2D virtual environments. Uses an iterative process of making, criticizing, experiencing, and analyzing spatial form; compositional ideas for form making; and critical thinking. Offers students an opportunity to develop the arbitrary, yet necessary, mind-set needed to make assumptions about aesthetic spatial values and expected player behaviors. Analyzes the connection between spatial-aesthetic elements and their effects on players’ psyches. Experiments with how spaces, textures, shapes, and colors can support different synchronous moods. Explores how to shape spaces that fit the rational, emotional, and behavioral profile of different types of players. Applies concepts learned from architecture and game-level design to extend students’ creative and critical abilities.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6320Psychology of Play4

Prerequisite(s): GSND 5110 with a minimum grade of D- or GSND 5110 with a minimum grade of C- (Graduate)

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6330Player Experience4

and GSND 6331 and Recitation for GSND 6330

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Type
course
Edition
2024-2025
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6340Biometrics of Design4

Prerequisite(s): GSND 5130 with a minimum grade of C-

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6350Data-Driven Game Design4

Introduces the topic of game data science and the process of analysis with data science. Focuses on defining and understanding the player experience using game log data. Examines how gameplay data can be used to discover and communicate player behavioral patterns with the goal of supporting decision management, driving action, and/or improving game quality. Covers the fundamental tools, methods, and principles of game data science and data-driven player modeling including the knowledge-discovery process, data collection, feature extraction and selection, pattern recognition to aid in prediction and churn analysis, visualization, and reporting. Covers analytics across game forms, notably online games and delivery platforms. Presents analytical tools and visualization tools that analysts use within the game development pipeline.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6460Generative Game Design4

Studies principles of procedural content generation and generative methods, including modular design, the role of randomness in design, and designing for emergence. Examines the role of generative design in games and its impact on both designers and players. Through assignments and a semester-long project, encourages student creation of generative systems for playful experiences. In advanced course assignments, students are expected to evaluate the experience by applying game analytics and metrics and conducting user evaluations.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 65203D Modeling and Asset Creation Principles4

Introduces the principles of 3D computer modeling and asset creation. Class lectures and demonstrations are accompanied by substantial hands-on exploration. Offers students an opportunity to gain fundamental skills for modeling, surfacing, lighting, and rendering. Projects progress from creating simple geometric objects to exploring systems for developing more complex assets, including characters and virtual environments. Topics include polygonal surface modeling tools/techniques, topology/edge flow, retopology, UV layout, surfacing/materials, lighting, physically based rendering and asset optimization for games, and real-time applications.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6962Elective1-4

Offers elective credit for courses taken at other academic institutions. May be repeated without limit.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated without limit.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 6984Research1-4

Offers students an opportunity to conduct research under faculty supervision. May be repeated up to four times.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated up to four times.
Repeatable up to
4
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 7976Directed Study1-4

Offers independent work under the direction of members of the department on chosen topics. May be repeated without limit.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
1
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated without limit.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 7986Research0

Offers students an opportunity to conduct full-time research under faculty supervision.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
0
Credits (max)
0
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 7990Thesis4

Focuses on preparing a master’s thesis under faculty supervision.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 7995Games Project4

Offers students an opportunity to obtain practical experience working on a research-driven game design project with a faculty member, resulting in a self-published game and a research paper. Involves multiple aspects of game development including level design; programming; art; audio design and project management; and game research such as research design, data analysis, and academic dissemination. Offers students regular critiques and feedback on their emerging projects. May be repeated once.

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
4
Credits (max)
4
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated once.
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu
GSND 7996Thesis Continuation - Half-Time0

Prerequisite(s): GSND 7990 with a minimum grade of C-

Subject
GSND
Credits (min)
0
Credits (max)
0
Credit unit
Hours
Type
course
Edition
Catalog 2026-2027
Catalog
Catalog 2026-2027
Source
catalog.northeastern.edu

Source: Northeastern University's catalog, linked per course · table learning_unit · CourseShelf publish 61