MS in Game Design and Development
What is the MS in Game Design and Development about?
The Master of Science in Game Design and Development (MS/GDD) is specifically tailored for individuals who aspire to work in the commercial games industry or in a closely related field such as computer simulation, edutainment, or serious games.
The goal of this program is to provide students with the expertise to embark on meaningful careers in the game, entertainment and other related industries. The program is designed to provide broad educational exposure to all facets of this exciting career area - with an emphasis on working successfully in a multidisciplinary team environment. These are skills that are much sought-after by employers in these industries.
“We are happy to be involved with the games program at RIT. The curriculum is well aligned with the skills we look for in new hires at Microsoft Game Studios and has already resulted in several great hires. They truly are preparing students for careers in the industry.”
– Dave Luehmann, General Manager, Microsoft Games Studios
How is this program offered?
MS/GDD is a two-year, full-time Master of Science program composed of sixty-two (62) quarter-credits of coursework. Students are admitted to and move through the degree program as a "development team."
The degree plan is comprised of:- A major track composed of six (6) courses in one of the following areas of the student's choice:
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- Game engine development, or
- Artificial intelligence and simulation
- A five-course seminar sequence that address the history of games, community building, and the process, business and legal issues inherent to this industry
- A minor track of three (3) courses chosen from:
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- Game content development,
- Asset creation and management,
- Database development, or
- Human-computer interaction
- Special topics (with faculty approval)
At the end of the second year, a six-month, team-based game development project provides a uniquely creative capstone experience. The culmination of this capstone is a show and evaluation before members of the faculty and representatives from the games industry.
Quicktime Podcast On Program (Click Play to watch)
What makes this MS program different?
We, quite simply, love games! MS/GDD is taught by a multidisciplinary group of faculty from information technology, computer science, and imaging arts who love games and graphics. As a result, the program offers theoretically-based development tracks as well as a more artistic option.
This program is designed to challenge as well as to encourage individual creativity and expression. The learning process models the multidisciplinary team-based development approach that is typical in the games industry. Plus the learning environment is casually intense with all of the "computing iron" that anyone who is serious about his or her game development could desire.
To enhance the learning experience and to help launch their careers, students may do up to two (2) three-month cooperative work experiences (co-op) during summer terms as part of their studies. While co-op employment at a game company cannot be guaranteed, RIT has one of the longest running co-op programs in the world and the MS/GDD faculty actively maintains close ties to major companies in the games industry.
What about job opportunities in this field?
The computer games industry primarily produces software for home computers and game machines, on-line games, and arcade games, as well as console hardware and computer peripherals.
In the United States alone, computer games are a multi-billion dollar industry. Sales of games and game-related equipment have continued to grow annually - independent of economic downturns. The electronic entertainment market is strong, and economic forecasts indicate continued growth. Current estimates are for thousands of jobs in computer game design and development - excluding jobs related to the distribution, marketing and sale of games.
A wide variety of careers are available in the game development industry. A partial job list, taken from Get in the Game: Careers in the Games Industry (Marc Mencher, New Riders Publishing, 2002) and other sources includes:
| Game Designer | Producer |
| Level Designer | Network Engineer |
| Junior programmer | System Administrator |
| Lead Programmer | Narrative Designer/Writer |
| 2D/3D/Graphics Programmer | Game Artist |
| Artificial Intelligence Programmer | Playability Tester |
| Audio Programmer | Quality Assurance Technician |
What background is necessary for admission?
We're looking for individuals who, like us, live and breath computer games, and who are willing to work hard, get creative, and share our passion for creating them.
For successful admission to the MS/GDD program, individuals must have an undergraduate degree from information technology, computer science, software engineering, computer graphics or a related program that provides a strong foundation in current object-oriented programming theory and practice along with fundamental web/interactive media concepts. Background in graphics programming, artificial intelligence, or animation is a plus.
Admission is based upon previous academic performance, including a portfolio of game-related creative endeavors. To be competitive, this portfolio should demonstrate imagination (in programming, drawing, writing, graphics, etc), sustained interest in games, and at least baseline competence in the major track of the student's interest.
Students are admitted in fall terms for full-time study only. To support the multidisciplinary, team approach of this program, applicants will be chosen so as to ensure balance among the various tracks and specialties available in the degree. Therefore, applicants should specify a preference for a major track and a minor track, as discussed above, at the time of application.
Plus, tell us about your passion for games! We encourage you to include a discussion of what excites you about computer games, the games that you enjoy, any games that you've built or would like to build, where you think games will go in the future, etc in your personal statement.
For More Information
Check out:- Additional details at our game development website
- The RIT information page for specifics on courses and admission requirements
- Click here to download the degree handbook.
Call us at (585) 475-6179 or contact Prof. Phelps, the program director, at (585) 475-6758.