Video Games Education

Submitted by admin on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 22:22

video games education to work in the games industry What is the best video games education to get into the video games industry?

A love of games is an advantage, but game development also requires serious technical skills acquired through degree level education. Only highly qualified people find jobs in this competitive environment. A degree in video games development and design is probably the best qualification you can get for entry into wide range of positions in the industry, but related degrees may also be useful. Degrees in video games development, games design, game art, game production or similar programs relating to video games education are often the entry point into positions such as game and interactive software tester, game maintenance administrator, documentation writer, and support specialist.

In your video games development degree you will usually be able to select a specialty, such as 3-D modeling and animation, digital illustration, 3D animation, broadcast graphic design, advergaming and storyboard art.

Selected schools and programs for video games education

Here is a selection of schools with programs that provide video games education. You can also check the programs in the art & design and entertainment pages.

Full Sail University
- BFA in Creative Writing for Entertainment
- BS in Computer Animation
- BS in Digital Cinematography
- BS in Entertainment Business
- BS in Game Art
- BS in Game Design
- BS in Graphic Design
- BS in Internet Marketing
- BS in Music Business
- BS in Music Production
- BS in Mobile Development
- BS in Web Design and Development
- MFA in Creative Writing
- MFA in Media Design
- M.S. in Education Media Design & Technology
- M.S. in Entertainment Business
- M.S. in Internet Marketing
- M.S. in New Journalism

Westwood College
- Associate of Graphic Design and Multimedia
- Bachelor Degree - Animation
- Bachelor Degree - Game Art
- Bachelor Degree - Game Software Development
- Bachelor Degree - Web Design and Multimedia

International Academy of Design & Technology Online
- Bachelor of Digital Media Production
- Bachelor of Game Production
- Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Game Production

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Online
- Bachelor of Game Art and Design

University of Phoenix Online
- B.S. in Multimedia and Visual Communications

The above is just a small selection of the programs relevant to the video games industry. So also consider taking a degree in computer game developing, video games designing, 3D games development or similar program from a video game university or college. Use the search box to look for suitable schools.

For schools in Canada

Click here for a page that links to campus universities and campus colleges in Canada. It also provides some advice on choosing a suitable campus.

Click here and then enter your Canadian postal code to search for Canadian college or university campuses.

Jobs in video gaming

Video gaming is a flourishing business. Typical jobs would include:

Beta-game testing
Interactive software tester
Developing computer games
2-D conceptual artist
3-D character builder
3-D object modeler
Interactivity designer
Background artist
Documentation writer

The video game and entertainment industry has seen a steady increase over the past 6 to 7 years averaging 14% growth per year, and is expected to continue this strong growth for years to come. With 2005 revenues in excess of $7 billion (source: Entertainment Software Association), the entertainment industry provides plenty of room for upward mobility if you are interested in video game developing.