Game Design ,BS
Computer Game Design, Game Design, Game Development, Game Engine, Games, Media Art, Mixed Reality, Video Game, Virtual Reality, video and computer games
Turn your passion for gaming into a career. Learn to master industry tools and technologies while you build immersive experiences, collaborate on projects and start designing the future of play.
The Bachelor of Science program in game design is an interdisciplinary offering that combines a hands-on approach to creating games with a rich conceptual understanding of the cultural context of games, play, simulation, virtual environments and interactive media. This program, housed in The GAME School, prepares you to be a culturally aware, technologically savvy, critically thinking global citizen who strives to use expertise in game design and media arts to bring about positive change in a society increasingly shaped by revolutions in new technologies.
You develop the skills needed for design and development of games and related media, including those used in ideating and designing augmented and virtual reality, mobile gaming, esports, and immersive interactive environments and experiences. Sitting at the intersection of advanced technology, cultural relevance and social impact, this program uses new educational technology, new models of mentorship and peer learning, and hands-on industry-embedded curriculum to provide you with the requisite skills in technology, the humanities and the arts to craft meaningful digital experiences for millions of people worldwide --- improving society and societal systems in areas as varied as health care and education.
- College/school:
Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
- Location: Tempe
- Second language requirement: No
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
- First required math course: MAT 117 - College Algebra
- Math
intensity: Moderate
What If: See how your courses can be applied to another major and find out how to change your major.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
First-year | Transfer | International | Readmission
An ASU student who would like to change their major to this program and would be new to this major must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. They must maintain this GPA to remain in good standing and to graduate.
Students should visit the Change of Major form for information about how to change a major to this program.
ASU is committed to helping students thrive by offering tools that allow personalization of the transfer path to ASU. Students may use MyPath2ASU® to outline a list of recommended courses to take prior to transfer.
ASU has transfer partnerships in Arizona and across the country to create a simplified transfer experience for students. These pathway programs include exclusive benefits, tools and resources, and they help students save time and money in their college journey.
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Craft rich, narrative-driven gameplay experiences that explore complex themes and resonate with diverse audiences.
- Collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams to bring complex game projects from concept to completion.
- Evaluate how social, ethical, and historical landscapes inform game design and game industry and vice versa.
With more than 300 Global Education program opportunities available to them, game design students are able to tailor their experience to their specific interests and skill sets. Whether in a foreign country, in the U.S. or online, students build communication skills, learn to adapt and persevere, and are exposed to research and internships around the world, increasing their professional network.
A degree in interdisciplinary game design leads to various career paths in gaming and beyond. In the gaming industry, graduates can work on the artistic or programming side of game design --- they may become a level designer, creating immersive worlds, or a UX designer, shaping how players interact with games. Many graduates also work as producers, managing teams and projects to bring games to life.
This mix of creative, technical and project management skills opens doors outside gaming in diverse fields. Skills and knowledge from game design apply well to fields such as film, architecture, animation, marketing and e-commerce, enabling the creation of engaging experiences through interactive product demos or extended reality. Graduates are also valued for roles that involve data visualization, in which they make complex information easier to understand, and for their ability to create simulations used for training and planning.
Example job titles and salaries listed below are not necessarily entry level, and students should take into consideration how years of experience and geographical location may affect pay scales. Some jobs also may require advanced degrees, certifications or state-specific licensure.
| Career | *Growth | *Median salary |
|---|---|---|
|
1.6%
|
$102,030
|
|
|
3.3%
|
$58,100
|
|
|
8.2%
|
$116,580
|
|
|
15.2%
|
$175,140
|
|
|
2.7%
|
$73,620
|
|
|
5.6%
|
$102,320
|
|
|
15.8%
|
$135,980
|
|
|
7.0%
|
$104,000
|
|
|
7.0%
|
$104,000
|
The GAME School
|
STAUF-B 217
TheGameSchool@asu.edu
480-965-9432
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
