colleges with degrees in video game design

Game Design Degrees Online The increased number of gaming degrees being awarded parallels the soaring popularity of the multi-billion dollar video game industry. New technologies, increased graphics capabilities, and the proliferation of mobile devices are changing the way we game, creating a new world of career opportunities for creators.

College degrees in video game design focus on three main disciplines - design, art, and programming. Some universities offer certificates and degrees that fit neatly into a single discipline, while others combine two or even all three gaming domains for a more well-rounded education. Your personal interests and career goals will determine which program is right for you. Jump ahead to compare programs or read on for more information on how to choose the best game design degree for you.

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Choosing a Game Design Degree

These are the key factors you should consider when picking a college degree program in video game design:

Curriculum

Curriculum -- the tools, techniques and technologies you will learn over the course of the program -- is the most important factor when choosing a game design degree. Look for a curriculum that covers as many of the following topics as possible within your desired role. Remember, it's good to have skills from peripheral game design disciplines as this makes you more versatile and valuable to employers, especially at a small studio where responsibilities overlap.

Here are the classes you should take to become a video game designer, broken down by job role:

Game designers are responsible for crafting the story and rules of a video game. They also create the characters and universe in which the game takes place. A college degree for a game designer should include the following subjects:

Technical and creative writing inc. storytelling and storyboarding
Character design using classic archetypes, philosophy and mythology
World design including the creation of levels, maps and puzzles
Game mechanics including pacing, conflict resolution & reward systems
Project management, leadership and effective communication skills
Coursework in physics and math (especially algebra) will be useful

Game programmers take the elements of a video game and turn them into the actual code that makes it all work. Game programmers (aka game developers) should pursue a curriculum with the following courses:

Desirable programming and scripting languages for game development inc. Java, C++, JavaScript, C#, SQL & Python
Mobile app development using Java or Kotlin (for Android games) & Objective-C or Swift (for iOS games)
Game engine programming, algorithms, and physics system development
Virtual Reality (VR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) programming

Game artists create the visual elements of a video game, from the way a character looks to a tree waving in the breeze in the background and everything in between. The course curriculum in a game art degree should include:

Strong foundation in visual arts, 2D drawing and multimedia design
Graphic design using popular software like Adobe Creative Cloud
3D computer animation including modeling and texture design
Motion-capture shooting, tracking, enhancement and correction
Exploration of shading, lighting, reflection, mood & atmosphere

Top-Rated Game Design Degrees

These college degree programs best embody the skills needed to become a professional video game designer.

Admissions advisors can provide more info about game design degrees & curriculum, course start dates, career placement, tuition costs, personalized financial aid options and scholarships.

BA Game Art & Development

Students in this specialized bachelor's degree will learn the tools, techniques and programming languages to pursue careers such as video game designer, 3D modeler, game artist and character animator.

Program Highlights:

Design Visually-Stunning Characters, Worlds, and Creatures
Create User Interfaces inc. Game Menus & Heads-Up Displays
Computer Animation, Image Capture, and 3D Modeling
Visual Arts foundation inc. Design and Color Theory

Online Degree

Bachelor

Yes

Federal, State, Military & Scholarships

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Related degree programs at SNHU:

BS in Game Programming & Development
BA in Graphic Design & Media Arts - 3D Modeling and Animation
MS in IT - Software Application Development
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AAS in IT: Programming & Software Development

This online associate degree provides the skills you need to create cross-platform games and applications. Students will learn marketable programming languages, including Java, HTML/5, CSS, Javascript, and Objective-C, and take creative arts courses to become well-rounded developers and designers.

Program Highlights:

Application Development using Java, Objective-C, C# & HTML5
User-Interface (UI) and User-Experience (UX) Design Training
Web Design and Development using HTML, CSS and JavaScript
Utilize the Adobe Suite to Design Web Graphics & Effects
Also available as Bachelor's: BS - IT: Programming and Software Development

Online Degree

Associate

Yes

Federal, State, Military & Scholarships

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Related degree programs at Purdue University Global:

AAS - Information Technology
BS - IT: Programming & Software Development
MBA - Information Technology
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Video Game Degrees Online

Compare online degree programs and certificates that align with the video game designer career track.

Admissions advisors can provide more info about gaming programs and curriculum, admissions & start dates, online learning, career opportunities, tuition costs and personalized financial aid options.

Got targeted learning goals? Many schools offer individual courses from campus and online degree programs.

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What college degree do you need for game design?

Though not always mandatory, most game design roles require a bachelor's degree. Desirable majors for game designers include computer science, game design, game development, software engineering, and computer programming.

How long does it take to become a game designer?

A bachelor's degree in game design or development typically takes four years to complete as a full time student. Some game design schools offer accelerated online programs that can be completed in as little as 2.5 years.