Video Game Design Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science (BS) in Video Game Design program at New England Institute of Technology (91ֱ) will help you acquire the advanced skills that are the lifeblood of the gaming industry.

 

Develop familiarity with high-level programs, concepts, and design challenges as you refine your mastery of a variety of concentrations, such as game design, game analytics, and UI/UX design. You also study 2D and 3D asset creation, including modeling, texturing, and animation.

 

In either of our two track options — the game development and simulation programming degree and the video game design degree — you assemble a portfolio of game assets you developed to gain employment in game design, 2D or 3D asset creation, character concept artistry, environment artistry, and UI/UX design.

 

Program Highlights

  • Small class sizes
  • Develop a portfolio for job search
  • Earn your degree in as few as 18 months
  • Study on-campus in Rhode Island

Get Ready to Excel in Game Design at 91ֱ Through:

 

Seamless Transition From the AS Program

 

Students in our video game design associate (AS) degree program can build on the skills and knowledge acquired and apply them to the bachelor’s degree program. In the BS program, these students can continue to learn and refine advanced design and development skills as they prepare for a career in the industry.

 

Iterative Learning for Ideal Outcomes

 

91ֱ video game design students gain hands-on experience in employing cutting-edge methodologies and industry tools. Our iterative learning process means students continually refine their skills and understanding based on feedback and real-world application. By incorporating agile methods, students learn to work efficiently in dynamic environments, delivering high-quality results within tight deadlines.

 

Showcasing Achievement

 

A portfolio showcases a student’s abilities in game design, illustrating their proficiency in concept development, storytelling, level design, character design, and animation. This tangible evidence of their creativity and technical skills provides concrete examples of the projects a student has worked on, highlighting their unique style and achievements and making a compelling case to potential employers. A strong portfolio can also increase students’ success in securing internships, jobs, or further education opportunities in game design or related fields.

 

Innovative Esports Center

 

Join the esports team and make friends on campus as you learn more about the gaming industry outside the classroom! The Esports Center is open daily for free play and has weekly leagues and tournaments.

 

Learn about New England Institute of Technology’s Esports Center.

 

91ֱ Faculty

A team of experienced and passionate faculty members nurtures the next generation of game designers at 91ֱ. Their wealth of industry knowledge, academic expertise, and real-world experience ensures that students receive a comprehensive education. As leaders and innovators, our faculty offer valuable insights into the latest trends, technologies, and best practices shaping the gaming landscape today.

 

Careers With a Video Game Design Bachelor’s Degree

 

Exciting and rapidly evolving, the video game design and development industry contains a wealth of opportunities for creative individuals passionate about gaming and technology. Employers in this industry highly value adaptability, innovation, collaboration, and ingenuity.

 

The video game design bachelor’s degree program at 91ֱ prepares students to meet these expectations in entry-level and intermediate-level careers in game design, animation, and visualization. Our graduates can also seek entry-level and intermediate-level positions in a digital media production or game studio environment.

 

Video games have evolved into a major industry, with plenty of job opportunities available for those with a related associate or bachelor’s degree. Potential career opportunities for 91ֱ graduates include:


2D & 3D Game Asset Creator

Character Concept Artist

Environment Artist

Game Level Designer

Quality Assurance Tester

UI/UX Designer

Video Game Designer

Visit 91ֱ

We invite you to experience firsthand the innovative learning environment and cutting-edge facilities of our video game design program at New England Institute of Technology. Located in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, our campus provides the perfect setting for you to pursue your passion and unleash your creativity.

 

Admissions

At 91ֱ, we commit to helping you achieve your academic and professional goals. Our admissions process is straightforward and supportive, ensuring that you have the information and guidance you need every step of the way. The admissions team is here to assist you with any questions you may have about applying to the video game design program.

 

Find out more about 91ֱ admissions.

 

Financial Aid

 

We understand that financing your education is a significant consideration. That’s why we provide a variety of financial aid options to help make your dream of pursuing your degree a reality. 91ֱ offers a range of scholarships and grants, as well as federal financial aid through traditional student loans.

 

Learn more about financial aid opportunities at 91ֱ.

 

Take the Next Step — Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Video Game Design at 91ֱ

 

Unlock your potential and take the next step toward achieving your goals with a video game design bachelor’s degree from New England Institute of Technology. Here, you gain real-world experience through project-based learning and access cutting-edge technology as you prepare for success in this exciting and dynamic industry.

 

FAQ

  • What degree is best for video game design?

    Most video game designers need a bachelor’s degree to be considered for entry-level positions. Design programs are available to students at the associate level but more advanced knowledge of art and design skills utilized in the game industry is recommended.

  • Is Video Game Design a major?

    Video game design has become a complex science, with many degree programs dedicated to the subject. Gaming enthusiasts will be pleased to know that major institutions across the country now allow students to major in the subject with popular minors including animation, computer programming, computer science, software development, and visual effects.

  • Is going to college for video game design worth it?

    While it is possible to launch your career without a degree in video game design, a college degree level education will introduce students to important abilities and concepts needed for entry-level. Video game design remains a competitive field. A degree will help students and future applicants stand out to potential employers.

  • Can you get a degree in gaming?

    It is certainly possible to get a degree related to gaming. Some of the most popular majors at game design schools include simulation and visualization, game art, and development. The best degrees for students will typically include computer studies including 2-D and 3-D animation, graphic design and visual development.

Related Programs

Program Mission, Goals, and Outcomes

Program Mission

The mission of our bachelor’s degree (VGD/BS) program is to help students achieve a variety of careers in interactive media design and digital asset creation through the development of video games.

This curriculum will provide opportunities for students to learn about design, digital assets and the creative process, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration and pipeline workflows.

The program emphasizes the application of design abilities and knowledge of the development of games and simulations through a combination of theory, practical laboratory exercises, collaborative experiences, and a capstone project.

Technical courses are taught utilizing small class sizes led by experienced instructors in state-of-the-art facilities. All course outcomes are designed to prepare students for further education beyond the undergraduate level.

Program Goals

  1. Provide appropriate learning opportunities to acquire game development knowledge from design to production, including management and industry-standard documentation.
  2. Provide opportunities to acquire knowledge of advanced design principles, user interface, asset creation, and user experience.
  3. Provide opportunities to acquire a rich knowledge of visualization and animation techniques.
  4. Provide learning opportunities to acquire rich knowledge of various game engines and asset creation tools.
  5. Provide opportunities to prepare for entry into a career in interactive media design and digital arts through an understanding of the creative process and pipeline workflow, as well as the development of a digital portfolio.
  6. Provide opportunities for the student to prepare for a range of corporate to contract-based employment opportunities and to develop a commitment to the values and ethics of a career-oriented creative professional.

Program Outcomes

Students will:

  1. Execute advanced user-centric, iterative, agile, design and development through industry-standard methods and tools.
  2. Demonstrate advanced design principles through effective visual communication game projects.
  3. Demonstrate advanced visualization and animation techniques using 2-D and 3-D tools.
  4. Demonstrate advanced use of industry-standard game engines and asset creation tools.
  5. Create and execute professional-quality media.
  6. Demonstrate the ability to act ethically and professionally, with respect for all people and cultures, as an individual or as part of a team, through skillful visual, written, and oral communications.

Courses Offered

Course highlights of the Bachelor of Science degree in video game design program include:

  • 3-D digital sculpting
  • Advanced 3-D modeling
  • Advanced game design
  • Animation
  • Game analytics
  • Game engines
  • Simulation and serious games

Classes also extend to 3-D scripting and advanced rigging, texturing, technical communications, statistics, argumentative research, and more.

For the latest listing of courses offered, please review our University Catalog.

Q&A and Technical Standards

Questions & Answers

  1. When do my classes meet?
    Day Classes: Technical classes normally meet for at least three hours a day for up to five days a week. Classes normally begin in the early morning (7:45 a.m.), late morning (usually 11:25 a.m.), or mid-afternoon. The time slot for your program may vary from term to term.
    Evening Classes: Technical classes meet on the average of three nights a week, although there may be times when they will meet four nights a week. Classes normally begin at 5:45 p.m.In addition, to achieve your associate degree, you will take a total of approximately eight liberal arts courses, which will be scheduled around your technical schedule over the course of your entire program. Each liberal arts course meets approximately four hours per week. Liberal arts courses are offered days, evenings, and Saturdays.At the beginning of each term you will receive a detailed schedule giving the exact time and location of all your classes. The College requires that all students be prepared to take classes and receive services at any of 91ֱ’s locations where the appropriate classes and services are offered.When a regularly scheduled class falls on a day which is an 91ֱ observed holiday (Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, and Memorial Day), an alternate class will be scheduled as a make up for that class. The make up class may fall on a Friday. It is the student’s responsibility to take note of when and where classes are offered.
  2. How large will my classes be?
    The average size for a class is about 20 to 25 students; however, larger and smaller classes occur from time to time.
  3. How much time will I spend in lab?
    Almost half of your technical courses consist of laboratory work. In order for you to get the most out of your laboratory experiences, you will first receive a thorough explanation of the theory behind your lab work.
  4. Where do my classes meet?
    Students should be prepared to attend classes at any of 91ֱ’s classroom facilities: either at the Post Road, Access Road, or East Greenwich campus.
  5. How long should it take me to complete my program?
    To complete your degree requirements in the shortest possible time, you should take the courses outlined in the prescribed curriculum. For a typical six-term curriculum, a student may complete the requirements in as little as 18 months.To complete all your degree requirements in the shortest time, you should take at least one liberal arts course each term. Students who need more time to complete their curriculum may postpone some of the liberal arts courses until after the completion of the technical requirements. Students are provided up to two additional terms of study to complete the liberal arts requirements without any additional tuition assessment fee. During these additional terms of study, students are required to pay all applicable fees.Students may also elect to complete some of their liberal arts requirements during Intersession, a five-week term scheduled between Spring and Summer Quarters. Students will not be assessed any additional tuition for liberal arts courses taken during the Intersession but may be assessed applicable fees.Students wishing to extend the number of terms needed to complete the required technical courses in their curriculum will be assessed additional tuition and fees.
  6. Is 91ֱ accredited?
    91ֱ is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles 91ֱ to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see 91ֱ’s catalog.
  7. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at 91ֱ to another college?
    The transferability of a course is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Office of Teaching and Learning for further information.
  8. Can I transfer credits earned at another college to 91ֱ?
    Transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered upon receipt of an official transcript for any program, biology, science, and mathematics courses in which the student has earned a “C” or above within the past three years and for English or humanities courses in which the student has earned a “C” or above within the last ten years. An official transcript from the other institution must be received before the end of the first week of the term for transfer credit to be granted for courses to be taken during that term. Students will receive a tuition reduction for the approved technical courses based on the program rate and will be applied against the final technical term of the curriculum’s tuition amount. No tuition credit is provided for courses which are not a part of the technical curriculum.
  9. What is the “Feinstein Enriching America” Program?
    New England Institute of Technology is the proud recipient of a grant from the Feinstein Foundation. To satisfy the terms of the grant, the College has developed a one-credit community enrichment course which includes hands-on community enrichment projects. The course can be taken for a few hours per term, spread over several terms. Students who are already engaged in community enrichment on their own may be able to count that service towards course credit.
  10. How many credits do I need to acquire my Financial Aid?
    In order to be eligible for the maximum financial aid award, you need to maintain at least 12 credits per academic term.
  11. What does my program cost?
    The cost of your program will be as outlined in your enrollment agreement, along with your cost for books and other course materials. Students who decide to take more terms than the enrollment agreement describes to complete the technical courses in their curriculum will be subject to additional fees and possible additional tuition costs. Students who elect to take the technical portion of the degree requirements at a rate faster than the rate prescribed in the curriculum and the enrollment agreement will be assessed additional tuition.Students who require prerequisite courses will incur additional tuition and fees above those outlined in their enrollment agreement.If a student elects to take a course(s) outside of the prescribed curriculum, additional tuition and fees will be assessed.Remember, students who withdraw and re-enter, one time only, pay the tuition rate that was in effect for them at the time of their last day of attendance for up to one year from their last day of attendance. Second re-entries and beyond pay the tuition rate in effect at the time they re-enter. The most economical way for you to complete your college degree is to begin your program now and continue your studies straight through for the six terms necessary to complete your degree requirements.
  12. What kind of employment assistance does 91ֱ offer?
    The Career Services Office assists 91ֱ students and graduates in in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers exists as a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and 91ֱ does not, guarantee to its graduates employment or a specific starting salary.
  13. Where will job opportunities exist?
    Graduates have obtained employment in the local area. However, one of the most exciting aspects of this program is the ability to look nationally for employment opportunities.
  14. What kind of jobs will I be qualified to look for?
    Generally, jobs will exist in the entry-level positions in the computer industry. Upon completion of a bachelor’s degree at 91ֱ, positions on the management level become attainable.

Technical Standards

These technical standards set forth by the IT department establish the essential qualifications considered necessary for students admitted to the program. The successful student must possess the following skills and abilities or be able to demonstrate they can complete the requirements of the program with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Cognitive Ability

  • Good reasoning and critical thinking skills.
  • Ability to learn, remember and recall detailed information and to use it for problem solving.
  • Ability to deal with materials and problems such as organizing or reorganizing information.
  • Ability to use abstractions in specific concrete situations.
  • Ability to separate complex information into its component parts.
  • Ability to perform tasks by observing demonstrations.
  • Ability to perform tasks by following written instructions.
  • Ability to perform tasks following verbal instructions.
  • Possession of basic keyboarding skills and knowledge of computer programs.

Communications Skills

  • Ability to speak in understandable English in a classroom situation on a one-on-one basis as well as before a group.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with faculty and other students.
  • Ability to demonstrate and use the knowledge acquired during the classroom training process.
  • Ability to verbally express technical concepts clearly and distinctly.
  • Ability to express thoughts clearly.

Adaptive Ability

  • Ability to remain calm in the face of computer lab equipment and/or software failure.
  • Ability to maintain emotional stability and the maturity necessary to interact with members of the faculty and students in a responsible manner.
  • Ability to tolerate the differences in all students, faculty, and administration.
  • Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks under stressful and demanding conditions.
  • Ability to adapt in a positive manner to new and changing situations with an open mind and flexibility.
  • Ability to think clearly and act quickly and appropriately in stressful situations.

Physical Ability

  • Ability to sit continuously at a personal computer for long periods of time in order to learn and become proficient in computer programming and networking.
  • Ability to perform learned skills independently, with accuracy and completeness within reasonable time frames in accordance with classroom and business procedures.

Manual Ability

  • Sufficient motor function and sensory abilities to participate effectively in the classroom laboratory.
  • Sufficient manual dexterity and motor coordination to coordinate hands, eyes and fingers in the operation of computers and business equipment.

Sensory Ability

  • Visual
    • Acute enough to see clearly and interpret the contents on the computer screen.