THE gaming industry is a lucrative one – in fact, it’s so lucrative that my finger gets tired from typing out the amount of 0s that come after its monetary value...let’s just say it’s in the billions. Of course, this is video gaming – it’s not board games like Monopoly or KerPlunk, and nor is it games like tag or hide-and-seek (how could you even value those two?) If you would like a slice of that cash-filled pie when you graduate from university, and you know how to use graphic design programmes, then these are the courses for you.
Best game design courses around the world
1. University of Arts London, UK
Game design is an art, no matter what your neighbours, parents or peers might try and tell you. Have you seen some of the scenery, character detail and opening credits in modern video games? Most of them are beautiful and each year some clever sausage comes up with something that looks more realistic than the last batch. You’ll learn all the basics here: from concept and design to professional practice. EA, here you come.
2. Murdoch University, Australia
Granted, a lot of the courses will contain a lot of the same content – but you can say that about any subject you’re interested in. The best thing to do is look for the one that works best for you, and this particular course seems welcomingly flexible. You can start with more general topics, like learning about game art, and move on to something much more complex and in-depth, like advanced research in the arts.
3. University of Southern California, USA
This college consistently ranks in the top performers for game design courses in America, and it’s easy to see why when you look at the website. It boasts, as it should, that it’s recognised as “the number one game design program in North America” by the Princeton Review and GamePro Magazine. Is that high enough accreditation for you? If not, you’ll be tempted by the course content and wide choice of different degrees – there’s plenty to get your teeth into, or simply go for the plain-sailing option of a B.A. in Interactive Entertainment.
4. Savannah College of Art and Design, Hong Kong
Billed as the university of creative careers, there’s no escaping the fact that you’ll get what you’re looking for at this college. There are countless sites (well, a lot anyway) but at the Hong Kong base, you can opt for a visual effects degree, giving you the grounding and skills to move into the gaming world after studying. This course’s alumni have worked on visual arts for films like Life of Pi and The Great Gatsby, so you’ll be following in great footsteps.
5. Macromedia University, Germany
You’ll be based in Munich here, which is a compelling enough reason to choose this as your educational destination in itself. It’s a great university with an absolutely massive media-centric focus, so if the game design course doesn’t tickle your fancy, there are plenty of other, similar options to choose from. Better brush up on your German and I hope you’ve got a taste for lager…
