BA in Game Design

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

On-Campus or 100% Online

ALUMNI SUCCESS

Program Overview

The Game Design program blends storytelling, logic, and technical design with practical experience in modern game engines. You鈥檒l 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

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

Game Prototyping

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

Narrative Design

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

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 鈥� 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.

Create Projects for the Pros

Meet Past Project X Students

CAREER PATHS

Level Designer
Narrative Designer
Game Writer
Producer
Game Designer
QA Tester
Narrative Designer

The USV Difference

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

Deeper learning

You鈥檒l 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鈥檒l have room to manage school, work, and life 鈥� 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鈥檒l join collaborative teams, ship real projects, and build a professional portfolio.

Faculty Spotlight

"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

View Our Faculty

Real-World Learning

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