Bachelor - Game Design and Development

Video games. Computer simulations. Virtual reality. The results of their work can be found nearly everywhere. Today, more and more industries are coming to rely on game designers and developers to help them entertain and inform customers. In turn, these game designers and developers must rely on their own skills, creativity, and knowledge of the latest technologies and programming languages to succeed in this competitive field.

The AIU Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design and Development can help prepare students for this fast-moving and highly creative industry. The program combines theory, hands-on experience and group projects to help students develop the necessary skills in 2D and 3D art and animation, programming in industry-standard languages, and game design and production.

The BFA in Game Design and Development also features a career-relevant concentration in Game Programming that allows students to focus on this aspect of the field in greater depth.

Career Opportunities

The BFA in Game Design and Development with a concentration in Game Programming can help prepare students interested in developing and advancing a career as a:

• Game Programmer
• 3D Programmer
• Client Systems Engineer
• Network-Multiplayer Engineer
• Game or Level Designer

Challenging, Relevant Coursework

The BFA in Game Design and Development with a concentrationbin Game Programming features industry-relevant courseworkbtaught by faculty members with real-world experience in thebfield. Key topics addressed in this degree program include programming in C++ and Java, level and world creation using commercial engines, digital audio and video production, andb demo reel creation.

Students who successfully complete the program should be able to:

• Research game genres, styles, and trends to aid in the design of games and business plans.
• Create, evaluate, and edit storyboards, scripts, graphics, media assets, audio files, soundtracks, and animation.
• Write documentation for computer games, and develop game narratives, character histories, and online help files.
• Design and develop a complete game level from storyboard through media distribution.
• Prepare a portfolio and demo reel to assist in securing a job in the game design and development industry.
• Use appropriate professional, legal, and ethical guidelines for decision-making.

Concentration courses for this program include Game Programming I, Game Programming II, Game Programming III, and Multiplayer Gaming and Networking.