Elina Tochilnikova is a Game Design professor at Northeastern University rated 3.08/5 by 153 students, with 3.01/5 difficulty and 56.0% who would take them again (TRACE + RateMyProfessors + Reddit, updated July 2026).
Elina Tochilnikova professor reviews and ratings: 3.08/5 from 153 student reviews at Northeastern (56.0% would take again). TRACE + RateMyProfessor + Reddit.
She's really nice but she deflates your grade at the end of the class depending on whether she felt you put in enough effort, completely ignoring the final grade you got in the class. She gives a lot of busy work that has nothing to do with game design and focuses a lot of psychology even though its not a psych class, and always late for class.GAME2650 2024-04-16 18:12:24 +0000 UTC
Nightmare class, nightmare professor. The syllabus is not consistent, arbitrary, competitive grades. NEGATIVE grading curve! Absolutely unbelievable.GAME1110 2024-04-16 17:48:23 +0000 UTC
Being in her class feels like a Sisyphian punishment because she lacks the understanding of game development we expect her to have (given she is a game design professor) and we lack the knowledge to write professional scientific papers on command (that she expects us to have :) Grading criteria is unclear and depends on her opinion of youGSND6330 2023-12-18 22:35:15 +0000 UTC
Excellent and knowledgable professor, she is passionate about the topics we disucssGAME1110 2023-11-18 02:16:10 +0000 UTC
She knows nothing about game and computer science at all. Even though she still manage to stay,in,the department. I don't know what's wrong with the school. All she did in the class is making racist comment on international students. And also she had 2/3 of her classes online even when the syllabus said this is a traditional course.GSND6330 2023-12-17 05:06:14 +0000 UTC
She didn't know anything about game design. Taking her class is a waste of time. Her syllabus is for reference only because she doesn't grade according to the syllabus. her assignment requirements are also for reference only and she will override her own assignment requirements in grading and give you a low grade.GAME1110 2023-09-26 23:54:09 +0000 UTC
She doesn't state the homework clearly in canvas, using different rubic for the grading, really hard for grading, everyone gets bad grade and we have to argued assignment grading during class, unclear assignment's questions. If you have other options don't take her class.GSND6330 2023-09-26 23:53:30 +0000 UTC
Professor Tochilnikova is the best! She is so kind and does so much to ensure their success. She introduced my class to so many people and guest speakers to add to our network. She is an amazing lecturer and made every class interesting. She is brilliant and I would definitely recommend taking one of her classes.GAME1110 2022-12-16 06:46:54 +0000 UTC
Professor Elina is very caring and tries her best to help her students. She is knowledgeable in her lectures, and she really encourages group work, which is great practice for collaboration in a low stakes environment.GAME1110 2022-11-14 01:29:48 +0000 UTC
Prof Elina Tochilnikova is a caring, and knowledgeable person and has vast expertise in many fields. Her approach toward any problem is data-informed and not data-driven because her expertise is in research and extracting valuable and meaningful information from data. Hence, if you lack research, Prof Elina is the best person to help you improve.GAME1110 2022-11-13 23:09:15 +0000 UTC
Prof. Elina Tochilnikova is a knowledgeable person with a good understanding of students' mindsets. She always encourages students who are lacking in their studies. Prof Elina is also very understanding when it comes to each student's individual skill level. She goes above and beyond when it comes to helping a student; all you have to do is ask.GAME1110 2022-11-13 23:06:09 +0000 UTC
I was impressed by Professor Tochilnikova. Her interdisciplinary research and research-focused approach was helpful and inspiring. Her global case studies were fascinating with practical suggestions for implementation. I learned a lot in her course, learned to about interpreting research, and how to collaborate well with team mates.GAME1110 2022-11-13 22:39:58 +0000 UTC
Do you really want to take a Game Design course taught by a Sociologist who describes herself as a "Psychotherapist focused on Entrepreneurship"? I didn't think so. I would recommend you avoid this woman at all costs, and make sure to only take Game Design courses taught by actual Game Design professors.GAME1110 2022-03-08 21:57:37 +0000 UTC
I wish she would actually have some materials and activities to interact with students rather than having students coming with topic and sit through presentations even though some are actually amazing. You will be part of a group project to design a game which wasn't that fun over zoom. Overall its still an easy A if your looking for an elective.GAME1110 2022-02-15 03:58:57 +0000 UTC
Professor Tochilnikova is a respectable instructor as well as a wonderful human. Her course material is completely reasonable difficulty-wise, and it effectively gives novice developers a basic overview of game concepts. Meanwhile, she's an inspiration to passionate students thanks to her dedication to them outside the class and global experiences.GAME1110 2021-09-01 01:22:17 +0000 UTC
Elina Tochilnikova has an average rating of 3.08/5 from 153 student reviews. 56.0% of students said they would take them again.
Elina Tochilnikova's classes have a difficulty rating of 3.01/5 based on student reviews.
Elina Tochilnikova has taught GAME2650, GSND6320, GSND5130, GSND6330, GAME3700, GAME2010, GAME2500, GAME1110 at Northeastern.
Data updated July 2026.