Video Game Design and Development: Diploma Description

About this article
A degree in video game design and development is appealing for designers who wish to take their career to the next level or to gamers who are interested in developing their own games. A video game design and development program will give you the skills need to design games by studying courses such as 3-D modeling, programming, and character development. Read on to find out more.
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Reasons to Earn a Degree in Video Game Design and Development

Gain an edge in the video game industry by earning a degree in video game design and development. Through a VGDD program, you will graduate with the skills to develop video games and the programming concepts that surround them.

Career Possibilities for Video Game Design and Development

Occupational Outlook and Demand

As stated in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, individuals in the video game design and development industry will experience high growth in job opportunities over the next seven years. The OOH states that the software publishing industry is expected to be the third-fastest growing industry among all other industries through the year 2014.

Salary Information

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2004, experienced game designers and those working in the video game development field earned salaries upwards of $65,000. Individuals working for larger companies, mainly in software, can expect even higher salaries.

Video Game Design and Development Degree Specifics

Coursework Requirements

By participating in a video game design and development degree program, you will have the opportunity to study the following courses:

  • Animation
  • C++ Programming
  • Design Concepts
  • Graphics and Media
  • Java Programming

Skills Learned

As a graduate of a video game design and development degree program, you will be well-versed in the following skills:

  • Character development and concepts
  • Graphics creation, writing and design
  • Programming language for software and gaming development

Popular Schools

  • Online Programs Available
    1. Grand Canyon University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • M.S. in Computer Science
      • M.S in Software Development
      • M.S in Software Engineering
      • Bridge to the M.S. in Information Technology Management
      • M.S. in Information Technology Management
      • M.S. in Instructional Technology
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. in Software Development
      • B.A. in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design
      • B.S. in Information Technology
      • B.S. in Applied Technology
      • B.S. in Applied Cybersecurity Management
      • B.S. in Cybersecurity Management
  • Online Programs Available
    2. Purdue Global

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Master: Information Technology - Project Management
      • MSIT - Secure Software Development and Quality Assurance
      • MSM in Information Technology
      • Master: Information Technology
      • MSIT - Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Technologies
      • Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
    Bachelor's
      • BSANALYT - Game Development
      • BSCYBSEC - Game Development
      • BSIT - Game Development
      • BS in Cloud Computing and Solutions
      • BSANALYT - Cloud Computing
      • BS in Cybersecurity
    Associate's
      • AASIT - Game Development
      • AAS in Information Technology - Multiplatform Software Development
      • AASIT - Cybersecurity
      • AASIT: Network Admin
    Certificate
      • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate
  • Online Programs Available
    3. Bryant & Stratton College

    Program Options

    Associate's
      • AS - IT Networking
      • Networking Technology - AAS
    Certificate
      • Information Technology Assistant - Diploma
  • Campus and Online Programs
    4. Full Sail University

    Program Options

    Master's
      • Game Design Masters - Campus
      • Computer Science Masters - Online
      • Game Design Masters - Online
    Bachelor's
      • B.S. - Game Development
      • Game Business and Esports Bachelors - Campus
      • Interactive Technology Bachelors with Game Design Concentration - Campus
      • Bachelor of Science - Software Development
      • Cybersecurity Bachelors - Campus
      • B.S. - Game Design
    Certificate
      • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online
      • User Experience Bachelors - Online
  • Online Programs Available
    5. Penn Foster High School

    Program Options

    High School Diploma
      • HS Diploma
  • Campus Locations:
    6. Universal Technical Institute

    Program Options

    Certificate
      • Robotics and Automation Technology
  • Western Governors University

  • University of Maryland Global Campus

  • Winfield, KS

    Southwestern College

Featured Schools

Grand Canyon University

  • M.S. in Computer Science
  • M.S in Software Development
  • B.S. in Software Development
  • B.A. in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design

What is your highest level of education?

Purdue Global

  • Master: Information Technology - Project Management
  • BSANALYT - Game Development
  • AASIT - Game Development
  • Professional Focus + Google UX Design Certificate

Which subject are you interested in?

Bryant & Stratton College

  • AS - IT Networking
  • Networking Technology - AAS
  • Information Technology Assistant - Diploma

What is your high school graduation status?

Full Sail University

  • Game Design Masters - Campus
  • B.S. - Game Development
  • Computer Science Bachelors with AI Concentration - Online

What is your highest level of education?

Penn Foster High School

  • HS Diploma

What is your highest level of education?

Universal Technical Institute

  • Robotics and Automation Technology

What is your highest level of education completed?

University of Maryland Global Campus