In the dynamic world of academia, opportunities for hands-on experience often arise in unexpected ways. For a team of CGT students working on Stranger, a unique chance to blend their passion for gaming with language learning presented itself through an internship.
Each team member’s journey began with establishing relationships with their professor, Rob Howard. Regularly attending office hours, working in campus labs like Heavilon and Dudley, and engaging in meaningful conversations paved the way for exciting opportunities. The project involved combining the Korean language and gaming which resulted in Stranger.
The project was set to run from late May to mid-October, focusing on testing and fixing bugs for a gaming application. The future goal is to have a full release, with plans to secure grants for version 2.0. The game, a one-hour loop with repeatable scenarios, boasted about 14 endings based on the player's score. The team emphasized that the game wasn't intended to teach Korean but to test the knowledge acquired and provide an immersive experience, instigating a desire to learn more.
Working closely with a diverse team, each member faced various challenges. In addition to working with Professor Howard, the team worked closely with a Purdue Korean Language professor for translation and feedback to support the game's narrative complexity. The team experimented with different scoring systems, adapting the game for advanced learners rather than beginners. The team also highlighted the importance of effective communication and time management, using tools like GitHub, email, and Discord. This proved to be one of the most difficult aspects, as the workflow required bi-weekly meetings for team members who were in different time zones. Each team member brought unique skills to the table, overcoming challenges such as adapting to others' code, implementing tutorials, and creating day-night cycles and story beats. The collaboration between artists and developers revealed the intricacies of translating artistic vision into a cohesive project.
Reflecting on their journey, each shared valuable insights for fellow students seeking similar opportunities. They encouraged proactive engagement with professors, utilizing campus resources, and stepping out of one's comfort zone. Communication and effective time estimation emerged as crucial skills, especially when working on a project with tight deadlines.
See what each member learned:
Connor, Environment Artist/3D Gameplay Scripter: How to work with a team in a professional setting, we worked in two-week sprints and only met twice each sprint!
Charles, Gameplay Scripter: I have never done blueprint scripting before, so this was a first for me! With the knowledge I’ve gained from my Games courses learning these skills was easier than I anticipated.
Alex, Narrative Designer/Gameplay Scripter: I didn’t realize I was capable of scripting in this capacity. The game had 14 different endings and minigames built within it, requiring a high level of creativity and ingenuity to work with everyone else’s codes.
Syd, Concept Artist- I was surprised with how many variations I had to create to appeal to everyone; I think I ended up with six different variations. I underestimated this and how long it would take me to complete an asset.
Juhee, Producer- The production aspects we learn in class are very vague, so being able to have this hands-on learning opportunity is helping me prepare for industry. I learned the importance of appropriately estimating the time to complete a task and communicating any delays to the team as quickly as possible to avoid being delayed. 
The team stressed the importance of seeking opportunities beyond official channels and Discord. Connecting with professors, utilizing campus resources, and challenging oneself to go beyond academic requirements can open doors to exciting projects. While no official website cataloged this opportunity, attending office hours and word-of-mouth proved effective.
The team’s journey serves as an inspiration for students aspiring to blend their passions and gain real-world experience. Their experience showcases the power of networking, collaboration, and the pursuit of unique opportunities that extend beyond the traditional classroom setting.
Not sure when your professors' office hours are? Do you need support in the classroom, or finding an internship? Email luse@purdue.edu for support!