Blending Code and Creativity: UAH Senior Leads Game Development While Excelling Across Campus

Christopher Watkins, a senior at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) majoring in computer science, has built an academic path that reflects both a technical drive and artistic curiosity. With double minors in mathematical sciences and video game design and development, he has shaped his education around understanding not only how technology works, but how it can be used creatively to build engaging digital experiences.

Watkins is currently developing a large-scale game project titled Eyes in the Woods, where he serves as both Team Lead and Programming Lead. In this role, he guides the project’s creative vision while building core features such as the Bigfoot AI, environmental event triggers, thermal and night vision systems, and the design of multiple levels. The survival horror game places players deep within a puzzling forest filled with unsettling phenomena.

“The player is tasked with helping the village that resides outside the mysterious forest after reports of strange sightings, missing persons, and damaged infrastructure linked to the elusive Bigfoot began to circulate amongst the townspeople,” Watkins explained. “The player must survive through environmental danger, traps, and psychological tension to make it through the night to help the village reveal the true story.”

Watkins says developing the game has been both challenging and rewarding. “It is most certainly a lot of work but doing this process has really taught me a lot and put into perspective how much work goes into a game.”

Beyond academics, Watkins serves as Vice-President of the UAH Fencing Club, where he helps run practices, organize demos, and supports the annual Rocket City Open, a USA Fencing–sanctioned tournament hosted on campus. He is also an Ambassador for both the College of Science, and the Computer Science Department. As an Ambassador, he assists with outreach events and departmental activities.

Along with other campus leadership roles, Watkins also serves as the VP for the UAH Fencing Club."

Through these experiences, he has learned the value of teamwork and stepping outside of his comfort zone. “All of these opportunities have strengthened my leadership skills and organizational skills that go into leading a club or working in a team,” Watkins says. “The outreach events have played a big part and made me comfortable in the social aspects. While I never had an issue talking to people, these opportunities have allowed me to continue to connect with people and put myself out there as a form of networking.”

Watkins says his interest in computer science grew naturally out of years of enjoying the logical side of learning. He was also fascinated by the creativity behind video game development, software engineering, and user interface design. In high school, he discovered how practical a degree in computer science could be. “I thought it was a very versatile knowledge base to have going forward and could be applied to many different fields no matter what,” he explains.

While video game development is his ideal career choice, Watkins recognizes the current job market of that specific pathway. “Having the Computer Science background would allow me to have more routes to explore and fall back onto,” he explains, adding that he has gained the foundation needed to suceed in a comprehensive computer science career.

Watkins, who is originally from Phenix City, Alabama, said his choice to attend UAH came from a desire to grow independently and join a community grounded in STEM. “I saw that UAH had a good Computer Science program while keeping the same benefits that a lot of the larger in-state universities have,” he explains. “UAH had the advantage of being in a city where STEM thrived which would possibly lead to better opportunities.”

Smaller class sizes at UAH was also a deciding factor for Watkins. “I knew I did not want to go to a large university and UAH felt comfortable enough to where it had some sort of social presence but not overwhelmingly so.”

“Finally,” he adds, “UAH was one of the only in-state schools that had a Video Game Design field to study under. While only a minor at the time of my enrollment, it was enough to be a deciding factor for me.”

With Artificial Intelligence playing an increasingly large role in the world, the Computer Science major sees both opportunities and challenges ahead. “When used responsibly and in line with ethical standards, AI can be an incredibly beneficial tool in both personal and professional settings, saving time and reducing costs. It has a rightful place in modern society, and I believe adapting it accordingly is essential.”

“However, issues arise when people become overly reliant on AI or fail to verify its output. It’s important to understand and be able to defend the results AI produces, especially when they impact others or contribute to major projects,” he further explains. “While assistive AI can automate tedious tasks and relieve workloads, it also raises concerns about job displacement, data privacy, and transparency. Many companies still fail to disclose how their AI systems use or store user data, which creates ethical and trust challenges.”

Watkins also stresses the environmental impacts to consider. “The energy consumption required to train and run large AI models contributes significantly to carbon emissions. As AI becomes more integrated into daily life, developing sustainable and energy-efficient systems will be just as important.”

Looking ahead, Watkins plans to make the most of the Computer Science program and ultimately earn his master’s degree. He hopes to begin his career after graduation while continuing his education through the JUMP program, which allows undergraduate students to enroll in graduate courses. “I will still probably continue to do some game development. Should it not be a career for me, I would definitely continue to do it as a hobby,” he notes about his future career.

Throughout his time at UAH, Watkins says several professors have shaped his growth, but he adds that the friends he made have been just as influential. He explains, “A large part of it I owe to the various friends that I have made. They have helped me grow as a person and as a student. I have enjoyed being able to share my ideas with them and being able to discuss it with them. We help each other out both outside the classroom and inside the classroom.” He also credits his campus involvement and mentors for further enriching his experience, noting his work as a Computer Science Ambassador. “My supervisor, Tami Lang, has been a blast to work with. I enjoy being able to work with her and hear the many stories she has to tell. My time with the Game Design professors has also been a great experience. Dr. Vinny Argentina and Dr. Chuck O’ Brien has taught me a lot about this field and has expanded my skillset beyond being able to program. I’ve learned how to animate which was a big undertaking but a fun one.”

Staying current in the tech world can be overwhelming, but Watkins keeps up using news, social media, and professional resources like IEEE and ACM. In the future, he hopes to attend conferences and focus on the specific areas of computer science that most interest him.

For incoming students considering computer science at UAH, Watkins offers simple but meaningful advice: don’t doubt yourself, take advantage of the department’s many opportunities, and build connections early. “Coming into it, I had a little bit of imposter syndrome and thought that I was behind in my knowledge of computer science but I realized very quickly that I was more than capable of keeping up with everything,” he says.

He encourages new students to explore the many paths within computer science, and to build a supportive circle of peers. “Having a group of people you can rely on both in and outside the classroom will be very beneficial,” he says, noting that those relationships can make the journey not only easier, but far more rewarding.