Experimental Game Engines: Prototyping, Development, Intercommunication
Georg Luif
Institute of Arts and Society,
Experimental Game Cultures
2026W,
scientific seminar
(SEW),
4.0 ECTS,
2.0 semester hours,
course number S04132
Description
This course explores fundamentals for building creative prototypes to answer artistic research questions, developing ideas further by using up-to-date game development techniques and interfacing your projects with other technologies.
We will use in-class practice to build out the skills to test your creative ideas quickly and gain confidence in the process. Another aspect of the class is intercommunication - receiving inputs and outputting data into the real world.
Rather than focusing on a single tool, we will explore different engines and approaches: Unity 3D will be our main workhorse, complemented by an excursion into Godot or Three.js for web-based work, and the reflected use of AI for building. There is a class webpage that will be updated after each in-person lesson for home-study.
From last year: www.gutelehre.at/projekt/experimental-game-engines
This is an introductory class and welcomes little to no experience using Game Engines. The language of the course will be English, although assistance may be provided in German if necessary.
About the lecturer: https://georgluif.at/
Examination Modalities
70% attendence minimum
Final Prototype & Presentation:
A working build of your prototype made with Unity3D, Godot or ThreeJS covering 5 technical concepts from the seminar. Presentation of the question of your prototype & concepts at the final class.
Comments
In person attendence at preliminary meeting required for signing up.
Please be aware: currently, registrations from students of "Experimental Game Cultures" program will be prioritized.
Key Words
unity, game engine, godot, 3d, game, coding, threejs
Dates
Thu, 08 October 2026, 11:00–12:00
Seminar Room 30
, "Preliminary Meeting"
(preliminary discussion)
Thu, 15 October 2026, 11:30–13:00
Seminar Room 30
, "Starts at 11:30!"
Thu, 22 October 2026, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 29 October 2026, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 05 November 2026, 11:00–14:00
Seminar Room 30
, "Blocked double class!"
Thu, 19 November 2026, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 26 November 2026, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 03 December 2026, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 10 December 2026, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 17 December 2026, 11:00–14:00
Seminar Room 30
, "Blocked double class!"
Thu, 07 January 2027, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
Thu, 14 January 2027, 11:00–12:30
Seminar Room 30
, "Final Presentations"
(examination)
Course Enrolment
From 31 August 2026, 00:01 to 08 October 2026, 13:00
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Digital Transformation 162/2025UBA-040.10
Experimental Game Cultures (Master): Free Electives: Free Electives 536/2021UMA-080.80
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/2026UMA-020.20
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/2024U00-104.25
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/2024U00-204.25
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/2026UBA-002.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible