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WVU launches MA in Game Design

WVU School of Art & Design

A new Master of Arts degree in Game Design at West Virginia University will prepare graduates for careers in the growing global gamification industry.

“With more than $30 billion in annual revenue in the United States alone, the game market offers a great opportunity for artists, designers, coders and interactive media authors to target their creative talents toward a rewarding career,” said Douglas Barkey, EdD, coordinator of the Game Design program in WVU’s School of Art and Design.

With a majority of its courses online, The MA in Game Design at WVU allows students from all walks of life to further their education and expand their credentials.

“Our Game design program opens up a national market for the College of Creative Arts at a time when few universities are offering this level of study in game design for remote students,” Barkey said. “By establishing the program, WVU will leverage the rapid growth of the industry and help expand opportunities for West Virginians seeking entry into creative professions.””

Students will take courses in game design, game theory and game production along with a series of specialized micro-courses which allow each student to deepen their skills in a particular area. They will understand how to design core features of video games including creating innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines and character biographies, and creating and maintaining design documentation.

A significant capstone project is completed in the Game Design program in which each student leads a team of their peers to develop and produce a functional and playable game prototype. The annual Game Design Residency will bring Game Design students on-campus each summer. During this four-day session, students will have the opportunity to hear from leading game designers, meet their WVU faculty, network with potential employers and share their game design project with peers.

For more information on the Game Design program at WVU, visit https://artanddesign.wvu.edu/academics/ma-in-game-design