ACU associate professor William Carroll created an English course that makes gaming more than just a hobby. The Gaming Culture course will be offered to all ACU students who have completed the sophomore English requirements.

William Carroll, associate professor in the language and literature department, developed a course that allows students to look further in to the storyline of board and video games for a deeper understanding.

Carroll said video games became a hobby of his as early as the playing games on Commodore- 64. Eventually, as he than began to venture further into the gaming world, it became a research interest. When beginning to build this course, Carroll first thought of why some of his former students were beginning to play with theory/game design.

Once Carroll decided to pursue creating the course he applied and received ACU funding. Then he received summer release time, where the committee in charge of granting new ACU courses agreed with the overall value of Carroll’s course.

Carroll said the course will cover more than just the role of narrative in video games, but the role virtual spaces play in society today. Students will be required to read novels by authors Orson Scott Card and Jane McGonigal. Carroll also said homework for the course will include readings, weekly game-playing and reflective writing on gaming sessions.

Carroll said this course will pique the interest of students across the campus.

“In its design and execution, I think it will be of interest not only to English majors, but to any student who has a strong interest in games ,” Carroll said.

Brooke Lavender, sophomore English major from Farwell, said she is looking forward to the course.

“Many people, especially male ACU students, will enjoy this course,” Lavender said. “It will help gamers become more detailed with their gameplay.”

Juniors and seniors of the Honors College are allowed to register for this course on Oct. 28. Seniors will have the next opportunity on Oct. 30.