Game Designer Ken Thompson

Hi, I’m Ken, a game designer, and professor. I educate, make, and learn.

Headshot of game designer, consultant, college and high school educator

When I was a kid, I LIVED at the library. I gobbled up books about epoch stories, architecture, and even philosophy. I got that zeal for learning from enthusiastic and engaged teachers at the Fessenden School, Gann Academy, and later Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After working in the Entertainment Game Industry for eight years as a game designer, I came to UConn to start the Digital Media and Design department BFA in game design. It’s my goal to bring that passion for game development and learning into the classroom. 

Within a rapidly evolving industry such as games, a teaching philosophy must embrace and foster the ability to respond to change. Toward that goal, my role is to arm a fledgling game designer with theory and effective instructional materials. Hopefully giving them a broad understanding of development, creativity, and adaptation.

Game designers are communicators, giving me the opportunity to direct games from start to finish, focusing on Game Design, Level Design, and Production. Publishers like SEGA, Electronic Arts, and Activision let me work on blockbuster franchises like Spider-Man, Captain America, Madagascar, and Shrek.

My work in the video game industry has received accolades like Nickelodeon’s Kids Choice Award for best video game when I worked on Madagascar: Operation Penguin for the Dreamworks franchise. I made about half of the levels in that game and loved working on it. I can even do an OK Skipper impression! In addition, my work on SpaceChem earned Indie Game of the Year. It was one of the first Humble Indie Bundle Games, and schools use it in the classroom.

Design Games with me

As a college professor at a flagship university, I have a decade of experience admitting students to undergraduate and MFA programs. I also administrate several high school programs teaching digital media.

The Early College Experience program is a Connecticut-wide college credit certification for high school classes similar to AP credits. I administrate Game Design, Illustrator, Photoshop, Design Thinking, and Cinematography classes. Connecticut-based high school students and teachers, reach out to certify your class and earn college credits!

The Precollege Summer program is a week-long summer camp for current high school students at UConn. Students get to stay on campus, play games, and make their own game design come to life on the screen or in VR. Scholarships are available, sign up now!

Check out my education page for more info!

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