Gaming is a billion-dollar industry, and game designers are its backbone. Game Design is a branch of video game development. It aims to integrate storytelling, graphic design, characters, strategy, and other elements to create compelling games that either educate and/or entertain the player. An online master’s in game design program enables designers to leverage factors such as usability, aesthetics, and operation to create efficient gameplay. The best fit for gaming enthusiasts who love technology and conceptualizing different types of games is a master’s in game design online.
The institution’s reputation and comprehensive coursework often determine one’s quality of education, career opportunities, and earning potential. One must consider faculty quality, laboratory facilities, affordability, services for students, and placement history to ascertain the most suitable online masters in game design degree programs. Several OMC teams have investigated various aspects to find the best game design degrees. Here are the best online masters in game design programs:
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College Name & Address | Tuition | Graduation Rate |
---|---|---|
#1 Northeastern University 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115 | $25,801 | 91% |
#2 Columbia University in the City of New York West 116 St and Broadway, New York, New York 10027 | $50,496 | 97% |
#3 University of Southern California University Park, Los Angeles, California 90089 | $60,446 | 92% |
#4 Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215 | $58,560 | 89% |
#5 New York University 70 Washington Sq South, New York, New York 10012 | $35,982 | 87% |
#6 Southern Methodist University 6425 Boaz St, Dallas, Texas 75275 | $30,672 | 82% |
#7 DePaul University 1 E Jackson Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60604 | $17,951 | 70% |
#8 University of Utah 201 Presidents Circle, ROOM 201, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112 | $6,970 | 67% |
#9 Savannah College of Art and Design 342 Bull St, Savannah, Georgia 31402 | $39,240 | 71% |
#10 University of Wisconsin-Stout 712 S Broadway St, Menomonie, Wisconsin 54751 | $7,298 | 56% |
#11 Lindenwood University 209 S Kingshighway, Saint Charles, Missouri 63301 | $9,684 | 53% |
#12 Full Sail University 3300 University Blvd, Winter Park, Florida 32792 | $15,472 | 40% |
#13 Academy of Art University 79 New Montgomery, San Francisco, California 94105 | $27,696 | 38% |
#14 University of Advancing Technology 2625 W Baseline Rd, Tempe, Arizona 85283 | $17,500 | 36% |
Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available
A master’s in game design degree inculcates students’ technical and aesthetic skills to equip them for building a game from scratch. This degree capacitates designers to explore various fields like 2D or 3D game design, multimedia art, graphic design, and so on. Most programs require 30 to 60 credits and a game prototype for successful course completion. While two years is the average course duration, some masters in game design online programs also offer fast-track options. Along with game conceptualization, production, and theories, they often cover aspects of artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and game economics that prepare students for industry-ready projects.
One must also choose advanced electives while selecting courses to complement their career goals and interests. An online game design degree is beneficial for those who prefer learning from home and yet access all the program’s facilities. It also keeps the financial investment in the degree in check.
Generally, the coursework of a game design master covers all aspects of game design and its different processes designed for specific mediums. The basic curriculum revolves around conceptualizing games, game development, theories, gameplay, prototyping, etc. Selective courses also include studying the science behind how a game impacts the user and conducting market research on the targeted audience. Listed below are some of the core concepts included in masters in game design online programs:
Some of the other standard courses across various curricula are:
Most courses mandate the submission of a capstone project as a game prototype or a thesis for successfully completing the master’s degree. Engaging and partaking in design boot camps, varied workshops, and development practicum is beneficial for networking and gaining experience.
A master’s degree in game design trains and lays the roadmap for graduates to explore diverse job prospects in varied industries. These designers are capable of:
Game design at the graduate level comes in three types, namely – Master of Arts or MA Game Design, Master of Science or MS Game Design, and Master of Fine Arts or MFA Game Design. Though a few course topics might seemingly overlap, their purpose and content are customized for different career paths and goals.
MA Game Design typically focuses on theories and user research combined with game production and economics to upskill the students. An MA game design online program is best suited for those pursuing specialized field employment who wish to grow higher in the seniority hierarchy in their careers.
MS Game design focuses on aesthetics, usability, and methodologies with game conceptualization and prototyping. An MS game design online program is curated for hardcore developers employed in game studios who aim to gain technical skills like coding and software development.
MFA Game Design focuses on immersive design, information architecture, and character development alongside game building, taking a community-based approach. An MFA game design program benefits researchers and academicians who wish to diversify their creative approach to games while developing their portfolios.
Specialization is an important decision-maker in one’s academic opportunities and career prospects. Pursuing a general game design master’s or specializing in particular areas has pros and cons. The former provides flexibility to explore different subjects in the future. At the same time, the latter hone a specific skill that one can become an expert in and thus increase desirability in the market. Some of the specializations available in masters in game design online are:
Specialization | Description | Institutions | Careers |
---|---|---|---|
Game Design and Development | An MS game development offers a comprehensive curriculum that teaches students to create the flow, characters, plot, etc. [design-related aspects] and the actual conceptualization and gameplay [development-related aspects] of game design. | Rochester Institute of Technology – MS in Game Design and Development 1 | Game design and development graduates can work in every industry, from movies to defense, in roles such as – modeler, technical artist, user interface, programmer, graphic designer, character developer, interactive developer, and so on. |
Critical Game Design | An MS in critical game design provides a unique blend of theoretical and hands-on learning, which focuses on studying various necessary tests of games and breaking them down to understand what they imply, understanding the impact a game has on its users, and designing consciously. | Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – M.S. Degree in Critical Game Design 2 | Critical Game designers can explore careers as entrepreneurs, independent researchers, or join game development spaces. They could also pursue a doctorate. |
Game Science and Design | An MS game science and design is designed to equip designers to create games for specific purposes and fields like education, health, training, and others. Additionally, it takes a user-centric approach while using interdisciplinary skills in game design. | Northeastern University – MS in Game Science and Design 3 | Game Science and Design graduates have a competitive advantage in developing evaluation methods for testing the game’s usability and players’ psychology and can join the research and development wing of any design entity. |
Games and Playable Media | An MS in games and playable media primarily focuses on creating a blueprint of the game, covering aspects like game narrative, level design, game design, engine middleware, and so on. | Games and Playable Media – MS in Games and Playable Media4 | Games and Playable Media degrees upskill people from varied career paths, such as gamers, computer scientists, game architects, and designers, to advance their careers. |
Serious Games | An MS serious games course entails game production for entertainment and industries like EdTech, fitness, well-being, medicines, etc. It teaches target market research methods, modeling, simulation, statistical analysis, and efficacy testing. | University of California – MS in Serious Games 5 | A Serious Games designer can gain a competitive advantage by specializing and gaining expertise in the field(s) of their interest and will be desired by top-industry leading companies. |
Most master’s programs in game design mandate acquiring between 30 – 60 credits across one to two years, full-time, to graduate. Various institutions also offer Fastrack [1 year] and even specializations in game design for a year in addition to the core course. The learning modes include hybrid, online, traditional, or a combination of these. While some programs necessitate a capstone project as a game prototype, others require a thesis in the desired field of study.
Fastrack or accelerated programs for masters in game design have recently gained popularity and demand, enabling students to upskill, specialize, and even advance in their careers faster than their peers. In most cases, only those candidates who have pursued their bachelor’s degree from a university accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)6 are considered for the courses. The duration of accelerated online masters in game design can be customized in some instances but generally takes about one year to complete. Candidates who have done extensive coursework in an area of specialization that aligns with game design and have a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their bachelor’s are eligible to apply for such options. The subjects studied in the bachelor’s degree compensate for the concepts that are either speeded or waived from the master’s curriculum. An example of a fast-track program is the MA in Game Design – One-year fast-track option 7 from Lindenwood University.
Every degree program requires the applicant to meet certain requirements. A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a subject related to gaming, information technology, or graphics, is mandatory to enter an online master’s in game design. Other general admission requirements for a master’s in game design are:
Several universities ask for scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and, sometimes, even an English proficiency test score such as IELTS or TOEFL. Often, portfolios or a Graduate Résumé displaying five recent work samples are also asked for as part of the application for a master’s in game design online, depending upon the subject pursued in the bachelor’s.
Though the admission process to most master’s programs necessitates a Graduate Record Exam or GRE score, there are exceptions where they either waive the GRE score or do not demand it. The former exceptions depend upon the mode of learning and the individual candidate’s academic performance history assessed through the GPA. GRE test scores are usually required if the GPA is less than 3.25. Listed below are some masters in game design no GRE programs:
Accreditation is synonymous with official recognition from regulatory entities that assure an educational institute’s education quality is at par or exceeding the stated standard. An accredited master’s in game design program boosts one’s career and hassle-free education. An accreditation also verifies that the institution can easily process educational credit transfers and tap into federal funds. Six independent regional accreditation entities accredit universities in the U.S.:
To understand more about accreditation, read the Accreditation Guide.
There are plentiful free masters in game design courses online. Often, they only offer the skills belonging to a particular concept or aspect of game design and not a comprehensive degree as any other full-time or part-time course from an accredited university would provide. The masters in game design online free courses are either certificate programs or individual modules best suited for those who intend to explore a subject before diving deep into it or simply upskilling themselves. Here are a few resources that provide free courses from which one can benefit:
Course | Offered by | Description |
---|---|---|
Introduction to Game Design17 | Class Central | Students will explore game design and its concepts, focusing on fundamental tools like paper and digital prototyping, design iteration, and user testing. The audience comprises current/aspiring game designers and those keen on a profound exploration of game creation. |
Diploma in 3D Game Development With Unity Engine18 | Alison | This course helps students understand how to construct interactive next-generation 3D games using the Unity game engine. It navigates beginner and intermediate concepts for crafting visually appealing games with Unity 3D, covering scene setup, object manipulation, remodeling, rigging, animation, testing, and compilation. Successful completion equips students with the skills essential for becoming proficient game developers. |
Video Game Design and Development: Introduction to Game Programming19 | Future Learn | This course introduces participants to the major game programming concepts, encompassing user input, rendering, and collision detection. A detailed exploration of core programming concepts, including loops, conditional statements, and data storage, is undertaken. |
A master’s in game design is often an expensive program. A student needs to plan for and cover various expenses like accommodation, stationery, transport, food, etc., alongside the course’s tuition fees if opting for an on-campus program, but online education significantly reduces these expenditures. However, the tuition fees and investing in an advanced desktop or laptop with a good processor, graphics card, etc., are necessary to run the desired design software(s) that is a part of the coursework for online masters in game design. These costs can be daunting, varying from $20,000 to $60,000. Thus, financial assistance seems imperative for most students and often eases their burden to a certain degree. Below are a few sources of financial aid for students:
Universities, institutions, alums, and bursaries offer scholarships to specific individuals. Academic merit is the key determining parameter for selecting a beneficiary, alongside components like heritage, religious affiliation, community service, etc. (Note: read about Scholarship Scams to avoid being scammed online.)
Grants are need-based and are only allocated on a case-to-case basis to a student due to poor or unstable financial status. While they differ from scholarships in how grant funds can be utilized for purposes other than tuition fees, the academic performance review in both cases remains constant.
As the name suggests, graduate assistantships are provided as a partial fee waiver or a stipend. This entails supporting the affiliated professor to facilitate workshops, lab work, and even demonstrating for undergraduates. While a Research Assistantship functions similarly, it entitles the student to participate in and support a professor’s research.
Student loans involve a calculated risk from the student’s end as they borrow money from financial institutions, banks, or federal agencies and guarantee to pay it back regularly through installments. One must be cautious of interest and keep up with the payment schedule; otherwise, they might be counterproductive and increase the debt amount.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is a stand test determining a student’s eligibility for financial aid.
The in-depth procedure to apply for aid and other information about student financial support can be found in the Best Financial Guide.
Scholarships bear an advantage over the others. They need not be repaid as they are granted based on the student’s academic performance, community service, etc. There are two categories of scholarships – Internal scholarships, or those provided by universities, and external scholarships provided by organizations and associations. Here are a few examples:
The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) Foundation manages these scholarships designated only for those pursuing careers in video game design. They mandate a 3.3 and above GPA, accredited universities, and are not limited to U.S. Citizens.
Amount/Award: Varies
Deadline: May 31, annually.
This scholarship, supported by Intel and managed by AIAS, is meant specifically for women in the interactive entertainment industry. The applicant must identify as a woman, achieve a 3.3 and above GPA, and enroll in accredited universities. This scholarship is not limited to U.S. citizens.
Amount/Award: Varies
Deadline: May 31, annually
Managed by the Entertainment Software Association (ESA) Foundation, this initiative supports minority students and women aiming to build a video game art industry career. The applicant must have U.S. citizenship, a minimum GPA of 2.75, and display potential for the profession.
Amount/Award: Nearly 30 scholarships of $3,000 apiece
Deadline: May 14, annually
A master’s in game design degree capacitates designers to explore entrepreneurship by starting a gaming-related commercial entity of their own and putting together a team with varied profiles to build it up. Meanwhile, those intending to gain experience working in established gaming design studios can join as game designers, developers, character modelers, etc. Those opting for user-experience and psychology-oriented courses can join the research and development teams.
Multimedia design and animation are other fields that a graduate of game design online masters can dive into with ease. 2D or 3D game design, multimedia art, graphic design, game development, and critical game design are some job profiles in which a game designer can seek employment. Possible job titles include but are not limited to:
Game designers are highly desirable in today’s digital design industry, backed by substantial growth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the growth is projected to be nearly 8% from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average. A master’s degree in game design graduates enables graduates to seek jobs with high-ranking salaries. Here are a few reported by the BLS:
Special Effects Artists & Animators 23 – Annual Median Salary: $98,950 | Job Outlook: 8% ( faster than average)
Job Description: Special Effects Artists and Animators create visual effects for films, TV shows, video games, and other media. They use computer software to design animations, characters, and scenes, incorporating special effects, textures, and lighting. These professionals collaborate with creative teams to bring imaginative concepts to life, enhancing visual storytelling.
Broadcast Sound and Video Technicians 24 – Annual Median Salary: $53,960 | Job Outlook: 2% (much faster than average)
Job Description: Broadcast Sound and Video Technicians operate and maintain audio and video equipment for radio and television broadcasts. They ensure optimal audiovisual quality, troubleshoot technical issues, set up equipment for live broadcasts, and collaborate with producers to achieve seamless, high-quality on-air presentations.
Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers 25 – Annual Median Salary: $124,200 | Job Outlook: 25% (much faster than average)
Job Description: Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers collaborate to ensure software products meet high-quality standards. Developers create and modify code, while QA analysts design test plans, execute tests, and identify defects. Together, they enhance software reliability, functionality, and performance, contributing to developing robust and user-friendly applications.
Web Developers and Digital Designers 26 – Annual Web Developers and Digital Designers Salary: $80,730 | Job Outlook: 16% (much faster than average) Job Description: Web Developers and Digital Designers create visually appealing and functional websites. Developers code and implement website features, ensuring responsiveness and optimal user experience. Designers focus on visual aesthetics, layout, and graphics, collaborating to produce seamless and visually engaging online platforms that meet clients’ or organizations’ needs.
Generally, a master’s in game design is sufficient to start designing and developing games. However, a certification enhances their potential in one skill or tool. These certifications reflect well on a designer’s resume alongside their projects and help them stand out from their peers. They are not mandatory, but certain firms encourage applicants and employees to complete specific certifications. Certificate courses teach many things, like software tools or design techniques. Here are a few examples of professional certifications that enhance one’s profile as a game designer:
Typically, no specific license is required for graduates to practice game design and seek employment. Certain exceptions might exist if the field of work is in defense, military, or even EdTech, which the employer often provides.
Game designers who invest resources into networking, staying updated with the newest advancements in the field, and problem-solving tend to gain better opportunities. One must research and analyze case studies to show how top-notch industry players and designers create successful games. Collaborations, collective creativity, design thinking, and workshops alongside an online master’s in game design often add significant value to designers. Some excellent resources for gaming professionals are:
Gaming is a billion-dollar industry, and game designers are its backbone. Game Design is a branch of video game development. It aims to integrate storytelling, graphic design, characters, strategy, and other elements to create compelling games that provide value to the player.
Rochester Institute of Technology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
MA in Game Design – One-year fast-track option
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Class Central- Introduction to Game Design
Udacity- Diploma in 3D Game Development With Unity Engine
Future Learn- Video Game Design and Development: Introduction to Game Programming
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Special Effects Artists & Animators
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Broadcast Sound and Video Technicians
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook for Web Developers and Digital Designers
Game Design & Development Certifications
Autodesk Certified User in 3ds MAX
Certified Digital Designer (CDD)