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M.A. Game Design

Turn your game ideas into reality. Develop your own playable game prototype while learning design, theory and production to deepen your game design knowledge with real-world application.

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Understand the gaming world from the inside out. WVU’s online Master of Arts in Game Design will level up your conceptual thinking, production knowledge and project management skills. You’ll craft a playable game prototype as part of your thesis, showcasing your game design skills to potential employers.


10 Online Courses

You'll take 10 fully online asynchronous courses and there are zero in-person commitments. Tailor your schedule to balance work, life and school. Plus, it’s completable in one year.

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THE CAPSTONE

You’ll graduate with a fully developed game that you’ll be able to add to your portfolio and show future employers you know you’re a master at game design.

Total cost = $22,650

It's a world-class program taught by leading experts at half average cost of our competitors.


Why WVU?



Ready to turn your game ideas into reality? Our Master of Arts in Game Design will equip you with the skills and experience to become a leader in the industry while providing the flexibility of online learning. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, you'll have access to top-notch academic training and professional skill development.



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What You'll Learn

Students who earn the Master of Arts in Game Design will develop the following:

  • The ability to analyze the structure of a game to address theory, narrative, character, environment, and sound elements.
  • The ability to produce functional game prototypes based on theoretical insight, factual observation, iterative processes, and a game design document.
  • The ability to develop executive leadership, project management, and team management abilities to organize and manage a production pipeline in a remote team-based environment.
  • The ability to develop competence in usability testing for game quality control.

Game Design Guild

Get the latest insights for the game design industry.

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How to Become a Video Game Designer

Discover the steps to becoming a video game designer and how WVU's Game Design program can equip you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in this exciting industry. Unleash your creativity and shape the future of gaming!

Read More: How to Become a Video Game Designer

Game Design Focused Curriculum

To earn your Master of Arts in Game Design, you will take 10 courses in topics ranging from game theory to project launch.

Game Design (3 Credit Hours)

PR: First year graduate standing. Introduces the multiple components of a game environment and how to create meaningful interactive experiences on and off the computer. Focuses on core game design tasks in the professional practice of conceptualizing and prototyping board games and digital media-based games, including analytical and practical skills such as pitching, iteration, target audience identification, and planning for quality assurance.

Game Theory (3 Credit Hours)

Critical theory and scholarship that addresses the idea of games as a form of designed human culture contained in complex aesthetic, immersive, and experiential artifacts. Addresses visual storytelling, temporal/spatial montage theory, and frameworks to understand player experience. Provides an overview of research methods and multi-disciplinary analytical paradigms for the study of games. Integrates the history of online and offline games.

Game Production (3 Credit Hours)

PR: ART 503. The technical creation of digital games, coding, game programming, and audio production for the game production pipeline. Hands-on development experience that transfers theoretical knowledge into the procedures and design decisions needed to production a functional game. Multiple game engines are employed in a series of game development project cycles.

Thesis: Concept & Research (3 Credit Hours)

PR: (ART 502 or ART 502S) and ART 503 and (ART 505 or ART 505S). Develop the thesis game concept based on game industry, player experience, and artistic intention. Involves research of the digital games industry, identification of a design opportunity, development of a research question, systematic investigation, and formation of a game conceptual design in response to research conclusions.

Thesis: Design & Project Plan (3 Credit Hours)

PR: ART 603 or ART 603S. Design game and create the game design document, develop and document a detailed project plan to produce the game using original concept document and applying project management techniques. Define production team needs.

Thesis: Project Launch (3 Credit Hours)

PR: ART 604 or ART 604S. Begin thesis game production to create a functional game. Execute game development project plan to build a playable digital game. In order to complete the course, the game must receive faculty approval and be presented in demo format at a game conference.

Thesis: Production (3 Credit Hours)

PR: ART 606 or  ART 606S. Complete thesis game and present for MA defense and professional conference. In order to complete the course, the game must receive faculty approval and be presented in demo format at a game conference.



Let's Chat

We're here for you every step of the way ... we'll answer your questions, help with your applications for graduate school and financial support, schedule your classes, provide tech support, welcome you for graduation and keep in touch once you cross the finish line.

Victoria Bodkins - elsa.bodkins@mail.wvu.edu

304-293-5685

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Application Steps

  • STEP 01

    Know what you need to apply.

    You must hold a bachelor’s degree in any field from an accredited institution. You will need to include a personal statement, résumé, two letters of recommendation, a portfolio, official academic transcripts, and a non-refundable $60 application fee. The GRE/GMAT is not required. International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS scores. You can find detailed application information in the International Applications section.

  • STEP 02

    Request official transcripts.

    Academic transcript requests can sometimes get delayed, so it's best to go ahead and get the ball rolling! Contact your prior academic institution(s) and request that official academic transcripts be sent (via postal mail or electronic delivery) directly to:

    WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
    One Waterfront Place
    PO Box 6510
    Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
    Email: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
    Phone: 304-293-2121

    NOTE: If you are a WVU Alumni, you do not need to submit transcripts as they are already on file.

  • STEP 03

    Write your personal statement.

    A critical part of your application is the personal statement. This allows the admissions committee to gain insight into your academic and professional goals, personal, professional, and academic experiences, and allows the committee to see if you are a strong candidate for the program. Below are some key elements you should include in your personal statement:

    • Briefly introduce yourself and your academic or professional background.
    • Describe your academic journey and how it has prepared you to pursue a graduate program.
    • Explain why you’re applying to this program and institution.
    • Clearly outline your short- and long-term career objectives.
    • Describe how the program will help you achieve your personal, professional, and academic goals.

    Length: Your statement should be between 500 and 800 words in length.

    Structure: Be sure your content is well-organized, with a logical progression of ideas between paragraphs.

    Proofread: Check for grammar, punctuation, and clarity. Ask someone else to review it, but don’t let them rewrite it. Your personal statement should be your voice and point of view.

    **The use of AI tools for writing assistance is prohibited. Applicants are expected to write their personal statement independently. Your admissions consultant is not permitted to review drafts of personal statements.

  • STEP 04

    Login to the application portal.

    Login to the WVU Graduate Admissions portal. You don't have to complete your application all at once - use this login anytime to continue the app or submit additional materials.

    NOTE: If you are a current WVU student, you should create a new account as this site does not use your WVU login credentials.

  • STEP 05

    Submit your portfolio to the WVU School of Art & Design.

    Your portfolio can include up to 5 representative samples of your work with a total viewing duration of no longer than 60 minutes, including interactive projects, game prototypes, game components, graphic imagery, virtual environments, virtual character studies, photographs, or video documentation of the same. Submit your portfolio to the WVU School of Art & Design here.

Start Your Application

Application Deadlines

Apply before the PRIORITY. If you are applying for financial aid, submit FAFSA at least four weeks prior to the term in which you want financial aid.

Spring

  • NOV 01 Priority Deadline
  • DEC
    15
    Final Deadline

FALL

  • JUN
    15
    Priority Deadline
  • AUG
    01
    Final Deadline

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