Game Design School
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As a future video game designer, the school you'll want to attend and the degree you'll want to pursue depends on what aspect of video game design you want to get into. A game writer, for example, will want to look at good creative writing programs, while a game art designer should take a look at great art programs.
If you’re looking at the programming or art side of video game design and want to attend the top school in the country, there’s one school that should be on your list – the DigiPen Institute of Technology. |
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Getting an Education in Video Game Design
DigiPen, located in Redmond, Washington, was opened in 1988. It’s the first university totally focused on teaching students how to create video games. DigiPen offers three different types of degrees: computer engineering, applied/fine arts and real-time interactive simulations. Specifically, students can earn their bachelor's degrees in game design, computer engineering, interactive simulation and production animation. DigiPen also offers a master’s degree in computer science for more advanced students.
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Students in the engineering program will take classes in C and C++, GUI, 3D graphics, and networking. This is the degree track you'll want to pursue if you plan to work as a video game programmer. If, on the other hand, you’re into the artistic aspects of game design, you’ll take classes on creating graphics using computer programs. Those in the real-time interactive simulations degree programs will cover various aspects of programming, design, and even how to market games.
Don’t want to move to Washington to learn about video game design? There are several other schools you can attend that will prepare you for a career in video game design. If you like warmer weather, you may be interested in Full Sail University, a school located in Florida. While the school doesn’t focus completely on video game design, they do have a game design degree. Full Sail also offers degrees in film, entertainment business, computer animation, and digital arts – all things you can use to complement your degree in game design.
Full Sail offers a bachelors of science in game design and game art. If you’re looking to earn your degree in a year or less, then Full Sail may be perfect for you. Instead of operating on the standard two-semester system that most universities use, they start new groups of students every month. Each course is about a month long and very intensive – classes and labs are often four hours or more long. Although the curriculum is challenging, it's ideal for anyone who's anxious to get into the field and start working.
There are a number of other schools around the country that offer video game design degrees. The School of Engineering at UC Santa Cruz, the Guildhall at Southern Methodist University in Texas, and Flashpoint – The Academy of Media Arts and Sciences in Chicago are just a few other places you can learn about video game design. Or, if you love traveling, the Academy of Interactive Entertainment in Australia and the Media Design School of New Zealand are two international options. Of course – as with choosing a school for any degree – take a look at what each schools has to offer before deciding on which program is right for you.
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