BS in Game Engineering

Turn your programming skills into game-changing experiences. At USV, you’ll master the systems, algorithms, and technical foundations that power modern games — graduating with the engineering expertise studios demand.

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 On-Campus or 100% Online

A retro-futuristic robot, crafted with vibrant, colorful metal panels, holds an old-fashioned floppy disk against a backdrop of a clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A retro-futuristic robot, crafted with vibrant, colorful metal panels, holds an old-fashioned floppy disk against a backdrop of a clear blue sky with a few scattered clouds.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.
A vintage-style robot, painted in pink and teal hues, holds a VHS tape against a backdrop of a clear sky with a few fluffy clouds, blending retro technology with a nostalgic atmosphere.

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Program Overview

The Game Engineering program blends software development with game production. You’ll dive into logic, programming, and applied math while working on interdisciplinary teams to design and ship playable projects. Electives in art, audio, or business let you customize your degree, and your capstone project will showcase your technical and creative skills.

What you'll learn:

Programming, algorithms, and applied mathematics

Game engines, graphics, and UI design

Systems design and optimization

Collaborative project workflows

Capstone projects that ship before graduation

A person wearing orange headphones is focused on coding, sitting at a desk with dual monitors displaying programming code and a video game, surrounded by notebooks in a modern workspace.
A person wearing orange headphones is sitting at a desk with a dual-monitor setup, coding on one screen while a game or graphic interface is visible on the other, surrounded by office supplies in a modern workspace.
A person wearing orange headphones is seated at a desk, engaged in coding on dual computer monitors displaying colorful code and graphics, with notebooks and sticky notes placed nearby, creating a tech-focused workspace environment.
A person wearing orange headphones is seated at a desk, engaged in coding on dual computer monitors displaying colorful code and graphics, with notebooks and sticky notes placed nearby, creating a tech-focused workspace environment.
A person wearing orange headphones is seated at a desk, engaged in coding on dual computer monitors displaying colorful code and graphics, with notebooks and sticky notes placed nearby, creating a tech-focused workspace environment.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the BS in Game Engineering will be able to:

Apply game design and engineering principles to build interactive media.

Analyze and solve complex programming and systems problems.

Implement and test user-centered solutions within games.

Collaborate effectively across disciplines and teams.

Develop a professional portfolio with shipped projects.

Game Engineering Course Highlights

A person wearing a casual hat and headphones is seated at a computer desk in a dimly lit room with a vibrant neon color scheme, focusing intently on the dual monitors ahead, creating an immersive gaming or streaming setup.
In a dimly lit room with colorful purple and pink ambient lighting, a person wearing a hat intently focuses on a computer screen at a gaming setup, complete with a large monitor, keyboard, and gaming chair.
A person sits at a computer desk in a dimly lit room with vibrant blue and pink lights, wearing a casual outfit and cap, focused on a dual-monitor setup, surrounded by gaming equipment and illuminated decor.
A person wearing a casual hat and headphones is seated at a computer desk in a dimly lit room with a vibrant neon color scheme, focusing intently on the dual monitors ahead, creating an immersive gaming or streaming setup.
A person sits at a computer desk in a dimly lit room with vibrant blue and pink lights, wearing a casual outfit and cap, focused on a dual-monitor setup, surrounded by gaming equipment and illuminated decor.

Introduction to Game Production

Learn the fundamentals of game development, production models, and team structures. Build skills in ideation, troubleshooting, and project management.

A collection of vibrant crystals, ornate swords, and intricately designed potion bottles and shields are displayed on shelves, showcasing a fantasy-themed array of mystical and medieval items.
A collection of vibrant crystals, ornate swords, and intricately designed potion bottles and shields are displayed on shelves, showcasing a fantasy-themed array of mystical and medieval items.
A collection of vibrant crystals, ornate swords, and intricately designed potion bottles and shields are displayed on shelves, showcasing a fantasy-themed array of mystical and medieval items.
A collection of vibrant crystals, ornate swords, and intricately designed potion bottles and shields are displayed on shelves, showcasing a fantasy-themed array of mystical and medieval items.

Game Design II

Take ideas from concept to playable prototype. Explore design concepts, player engagement, and monetization while iterating with real feedback.

A futuristic digital cityscape with layered, circular structures illuminated by numerous small lights, creating a high-tech, cyberpunk atmosphere.
A futuristic digital cityscape with layered, circular structures illuminated by numerous small lights, creating a high-tech, cyberpunk atmosphere.
A futuristic digital cityscape with layered, circular structures illuminated by numerous small lights, creating a high-tech, cyberpunk atmosphere.
A futuristic digital cityscape with layered, circular structures illuminated by numerous small lights, creating a high-tech, cyberpunk atmosphere.

GUI & Graphics Programming

Master the foundations of interface design and graphics. Work with OpenGL, memory management, and performance techniques to create responsive visuals.

Create Projects for the Pros

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 young individual wearing headphones participates in a video conference with six smiling colleagues displayed on a computer monitor in a dimly lit room, highlighting the collaborative nature of remote work.
A young individual wearing headphones participates in a video conference with six smiling colleagues displayed on a computer monitor in a dimly lit room, highlighting the collaborative nature of remote work.
A young individual wearing headphones participates in a video conference with six smiling colleagues displayed on a computer monitor in a dimly lit room, highlighting the collaborative nature of remote work.
A young individual wearing headphones participates in a video conference with six smiling colleagues displayed on a computer monitor in a dimly lit room, highlighting the collaborative nature of remote work.

Faculty Spotlight

A middle-aged individual with glasses and a neutral expression stands against a dark background, wearing a casual top.

"Hands-on projects and access to faculty with deep industry experience provide our students with an array of valuable skills, whether they are interest in becoming a game designer, artist, writer, or programmer "

"Hands-on projects and access to faculty with deep industry experience provide our students with an array of valuable skills, whether they are interest in becoming a game designer, artist, writer, or programmer "

Evan Skolnick
Professor of Practice, Game Design & Development

Evan Skolnick
Professor of Practice, Game Design & Development

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 silhouetted on a rooftop, overlooking a vibrant, illuminated cityscape with contrasting hues of red, orange, and blue, creating a dramatic, futuristic atmosphere.
A lone samurai stands silhouetted on a rooftop, overlooking a vibrant, illuminated cityscape with contrasting hues of red, orange, and blue, creating a dramatic, futuristic atmosphere.
A lone samurai stands silhouetted on a rooftop, overlooking a vibrant, illuminated cityscape with contrasting hues of red, orange, and blue, creating a dramatic, futuristic atmosphere.

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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