If you are an international student planning to study gaming in the United States what can you expect? Although the time for international students to apply to programs in the US has never been better, given declines in domestic enrollment rates and a thriving video game industry with exceptionally large production budgets, there are a number a factors to consider.
What is game design
Game design is a subset of video game development, and as such, game designers must be both creative and technically skilled. Game designers imagine, plan, and then actually build video games. Focusing on system design, level design and narrative design, game designers create the stories, levels, rules, and environments that will define the gaming experiences of tomorrow. Although game designers are not explicitly visual artists, programmers, project managers or creative writers, they may very well serve in such capacities on game development teams. Creativity, technical programming skill and a love of video games are at the heart of game design in the US, and most game design programs offer a robust curriculum that balances these three features.
Academic courses to consider
In Games design there should be a focus on technical skills related to coding and rendering different aspects of the game being designed. Typical courses that an international student can expect to take if they study game design in the US include:
- Game history and development
- Programming
- Introduction to game design
- Computer theory
- Game technology
- Principles of game design
- Game production
- Level design
- 3D modeling
- Narrative design
- Game systems
- Experience design
- Software architecture
- 3D content creation
- Engine development
- Game rules
- Image rendering
- Software engineering
- Structure of game design
- Physics
- Calculus
- Trigonometry
- Linear algebra
- Public speaking
Be aware that course names and descriptions may vary between from institution but the content and form of the degree is fairly uniform.
After University or College
A Game designer is s at the top of the pyramid. Most people starting out should expect to beghin their career as artists, programmers or testers and get promoted. Though many of these jobs on a production team are specialized areas in which a student may receive a degree as well, a degree in game design encompasses the following possible roles:
- Concept/storyboard artist
- Programmer
- Systems designer
- Digital animator
- Texture artists
- Creative writer
- Storyline editor
- Character artist/animator
- Level designer
- Game tester
What are some reputable places to study game design in the US
After deciding to study game design in the US begin your search for the approbriate institution by first make a list of your need.
- Tuition cost. What can you afford? Are there grants or bursaries available?
- What part of the country is best suitable to your needs
- What level of degree or diploma does the institution offer (BA., MA., Ph.D., other)
- What type of institution are you looking for? (private run, state run)
- Can you combine your degree with something else?
Once you have set down some parameters you can begin using our search engine to start narrowing down your choices. Remember to take note of registration deadline — you do not want to be disappointed.