BA in Game Design

 Design mechanics, build levels, and craft player experiences. At USV, you’ll learn the art and science of game design through hands-on projects that prepare you for careers across the interactive industry.

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 On-Campus or 100% Online

The image depicts a lush forest scene featuring a rocky path leading to an ancient stone gateway, surrounded by tall trees and dense foliage, with a futuristic sci-fi weapon in the foreground.
A futuristic, detailed rifle is held in the foreground against a backdrop of a lush, mountainous forest path leading to ancient stone ruins, highlighted by sunlight filtering through the trees.
A futuristic, detailed rifle is held in the foreground against a backdrop of a lush, mountainous forest path leading to ancient stone ruins, highlighted by sunlight filtering through the trees.
A futuristic, detailed rifle is held in the foreground against a backdrop of a lush, mountainous forest path leading to ancient stone ruins, highlighted by sunlight filtering through the trees.
A futuristic, detailed rifle is held in the foreground against a backdrop of a lush, mountainous forest path leading to ancient stone ruins, highlighted by sunlight filtering through the trees.
A futuristic, detailed rifle is held in the foreground against a backdrop of a lush, mountainous forest path leading to ancient stone ruins, highlighted by sunlight filtering through the trees.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Program Overview

The Game Design program blends storytelling, logic, and technical design with practical experience in modern game engines. You’ll collaborate in interdisciplinary teams, manage projects from concept to launch, and graduate with a published portfolio.

What you'll learn:

Game design principles and best practices

Storytelling and narrative design

Programming and prototyping

Level design and playtesting

Project management in studio environments

A person works at a dimly lit desk, focused on a large computer monitor displaying a 3D modeling software where a hooded character is being designed, alongside a tablet showing the same character in a different pose.
A person works at a dimly lit desk, focused on a large computer monitor displaying a 3D modeling software where a hooded character is being designed, alongside a tablet showing the same character in a different pose.
A person works at a dimly lit desk, focused on a large computer monitor displaying a 3D modeling software where a hooded character is being designed, alongside a tablet showing the same character in a different pose.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BA in Game Design will be able to:

Apply design principles to create interactive, engaging experiences.

Build and test user-centered systems, mechanics, and interfaces.

Integrate storytelling techniques into compelling gameplay.

Collaborate effectively across teams and disciplines.

Develop a professional portfolio showcasing shipped projects.

Game Design Course Highlights

Two individuals collaborate in a modern office setting, with computers and papers in the background, as one person points to notes on a bulletin board, emphasizing teamwork and project planning.
Two individuals collaborate in a modern office setting, with computers and papers in the background, as one person points to notes on a bulletin board, emphasizing teamwork and project planning.
Two individuals collaborate in a modern office setting, with computers and papers in the background, as one person points to notes on a bulletin board, emphasizing teamwork and project planning.
Two individuals collaborate in a modern office setting, with computers and papers in the background, as one person points to notes on a bulletin board, emphasizing teamwork and project planning.

Game Prototyping

Take ideas from concept to playable prototype. Learn how to design mechanics, test quickly, and refine based on player feedback.

A lone figure wearing a backpack stands between an empty bus stop and a red and white tram under a massive, detailed moon in a serene, twilight setting.
A lone figure wearing a backpack stands between an empty bus stop and a red and white tram under a massive, detailed moon in a serene, twilight setting.
A lone figure wearing a backpack stands between an empty bus stop and a red and white tram under a massive, detailed moon in a serene, twilight setting.
A lone figure wearing a backpack stands between an empty bus stop and a red and white tram under a massive, detailed moon in a serene, twilight setting.

Narrative Design

Explore the craft of game storytelling, from branching dialogue and cutscenes to worldbuilding that deepens player immersion.

A mystical cavern with vibrant, glowing crystals in shades of pink, purple, and blue adorns the pathway leading to a grand, ancient temple entrance.
A mystical cavern with vibrant, glowing crystals in shades of pink, purple, and blue adorns the pathway leading to a grand, ancient temple entrance.
A mystical cavern with vibrant, glowing crystals in shades of pink, purple, and blue adorns the pathway leading to a grand, ancient temple entrance.
A mystical cavern with vibrant, glowing crystals in shades of pink, purple, and blue adorns the pathway leading to a grand, ancient temple entrance.

Level Design

Plan, build, and playtest levels using industry-standard tools. Develop pacing, flow, and balance to create engaging player experiences.

Game Writing Focus

Game Writing is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in game development — and USV offers a dedicated track led by industry veteran Evan Skolnick (Marvel, Activision, Lucasfilm).

USV Game Writing students have earned top honors at the GDC Game Narrative Review (nine Gold awards in eight years) and gone on to narrative roles at studios such as Blizzard, Sony's Santa Monica Studio, Magic Tavern, Pixelberry Studios and others.

A bald man with glasses stands against a teal background next to the cover of the book "Video Game Storytelling," which features a blue background, a game controller illustration, and yellow text.
A bald man with glasses stands against a teal background next to the cover of the book "Video Game Storytelling," which features a blue background, a game controller illustration, and yellow text.
A bald man with glasses stands against a teal background next to the cover of the book "Video Game Storytelling," which features a blue background, a game controller illustration, and yellow text.
A bald man with glasses stands against a teal background next to the cover of the book "Video Game Storytelling," which features a blue background, a game controller illustration, and yellow text.

Create Projects for the Pros

Meet Past Project X Students

CAREER PATHS

The USV Difference

USV students take 3 courses per term instead of the traditional 4. That means:

Deeper learning

You’ll dive deeper into each subject, with more time to absorb concepts, apply them in projects, and build lasting mastery that goes beyond memorization.

Better Balance

Fewer concurrent courses means less stress and more focus. You’ll have room to manage school, work, and life — without sacrificing academic performance.

Higher Success

With improved retention and a healthier pace, students are more likely to graduate on time and enter the job market prepared with real skills and strong portfolios.

Flexible Learning

Earn your degree on-campus in Silicon Valley or 100% online. No matter where you learn, you’ll join collaborative teams, ship real projects, and build a professional portfolio.

A person wearing headphones is engaged in a video call with six smiling participants displayed on a dual-monitor setup in a dimly lit room, surrounded by gaming equipment and ambient lighting.
A person wearing headphones is engaged in a video call with six smiling participants displayed on a dual-monitor setup in a dimly lit room, surrounded by gaming equipment and ambient lighting.
A person wearing headphones is engaged in a video call with six smiling participants displayed on a dual-monitor setup in a dimly lit room, surrounded by gaming equipment and ambient lighting.
A person wearing headphones is engaged in a video call with six smiling participants displayed on a dual-monitor setup in a dimly lit room, surrounded by gaming equipment and ambient lighting.

Faculty Spotlight

A mature man with white hair and a beard is depicted against a plain gray background, wearing a light-colored collared shirt and showing a calm expression.

"The only thing more fun than playing games is making them. All it takes is some time, a willingness to learn, and a passion to create."

"The only thing more fun than playing games is making them. All it takes is some time, a willingness to learn, and a passion to create."

James Kiggins
Dean of Game & Animation

James Kiggins
Dean of Game & Animation

View Our Faculty

View Our Faculty

View Our Faculty

A lone samurai stands tall on a ledge, silhouetted against a vibrant, futuristic cityscape glowing with red and blue neon lights.
A lone samurai stands tall on a ledge, silhouetted against a vibrant, futuristic cityscape glowing with red and blue neon lights.
A lone samurai stands tall on a ledge, silhouetted against a vibrant, futuristic cityscape glowing with red and blue neon lights.
A lone samurai stands tall on a ledge, silhouetted against a vibrant, futuristic cityscape glowing with red and blue neon lights.

Real-World Learning

In USV Studios, Game Art students work on client-driven projects alongside peers in design, audio, and engineering. By graduation, you’ll have 3–5 shipped projects that demonstrate real industry impact.

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