B.F.A. in Game Development and Interaction Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Development and Interaction Design combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in the design of games and interactive entertainment. Students make games at all levels of the program gaining hands-on skills across a range of digital media arts; the core game design education allows students the space within their education to earn multiple specializations within the industry, broadening their skill sets and post-education trajectory. Hands-on skills are taught within a vibrant community of thought that explores new models of interactivity as well as emerging markets and platforms for playful media. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, team-building, innovation and creative leadership.

B.F.A. in Game Art

The Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Entertainment combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in animation and art for games and interactive entertainment. Students make games at all levels of the program, gaining hands-on skills in art creation for real time graphics engines and a fundamental core in design, coding, and production. Students contribute to small and large projects, building deep hands-on skills in areas of specialization such as technical art, animation, environment art, modeling, art direction, and more. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, team-building, innovation and creative leadership.

B.F.A. in Themed Entertainment

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Themed Entertainment combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in the design and production of themed spaces and immersive entertainment. Students make design and create themed experiences at all levels of the program gaining hands-on skills across a range of digital and physical media arts; the core themed entertainment education allows students the space within their education to earn multiple specializations within the industry, broadening their skill sets and post-education trajectory. Hands-on skills are taught within a vibrant community of thought that touches schools all across campus. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, team-building, innovation and creative leadership.

M.S. in Game Design and Development

The M.S. in Game Design and Development is an intensive two-year program designed to prepare students to become successful game designers and developers within the current video games industry. As with the undergraduate degree, M.S. students are immersed in hands-on project development, gaining skills in design, development, collaboration and creative leadership. The M.S. program draws on the strengths of USC Games, particularly the strong industry presence among faculty, and the rigorous industry facing Advanced Games Project program.

M.F.A. in Interactive Media

The M.F.A. in Interactive Media is an intensive three-year program designed to prepare students to become creative thought leaders and innovators in the evolving fields of games and interactive entertainment. As with the undergraduate degree, M.F.A. students are immersed in hands-on project development, gaining skills in design, development, collaboration and creative leadership, culminating in a year long thesis project. The M.F.A. program draws on the strengths of the School of Cinematic Arts, including Game Design, Animation, Sound Production, Screenwriting, Producing and Critical Studies, bringing these resources together in a vibrant community of innovative digital media practice.

M.A. in Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games and Health)

The Master of Arts in Cinematic Arts with an emphasis in Media Arts, Games and Health is administered by the Graduate School in conjunction with the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center. The curriculum is based on center crosscutting initiatives that represent the broadest descriptions of our vision and mission. Students benefit from emerging research, tools and methodologies that converge at the center, as well as the wide range of backgrounds represented by faculty, students and visiting scholars.

B.S. in Computer Science (Games)

The goal of the B.S. in Computer Science (Games) program is to graduate students with a solid grounding in computer science and a cross-disciplinary background in game development. Topics covered include game production, visual design for games and interactives, computer animation, video game programming, game hardware architectures, game engine programming, serious game development, introductory and intermediate game design, and two semester-long final game projects. Additionally, graduates from this program will be able to further their education in graduate programs in game development and computer science.

M.S. in Computer Science with Specialization in Game Development

The goal of the M.S. in Computer Science (Game Development) program is to graduate students with a core in computer science, an engineering-oriented game development core, and a concentration in one of the key research directions in game development infrastructure, cognition and games, immersion, and serious games.

Game Design – Design for games is a young, exciting field applicable to media artists working all over the world, in different aspects of the industry and with as many different tools as possible. The Game Design minor teaches iterative design and prototyping skills while providing students the opportunity to explore design for new technologies and the skills of user assessment and usability testing.

Game Animation – The skills of the modern animator, visual effects artist, performance capture professional and many others are of great value in the games industry when paired with an understanding of how these assets can be used in games and systems. The Game Animation Minor provides an educational path that teaches both systems thinking and the skills and creativity of an animator.

Game Audio – Game audio professionals must not only be competent in one area (e.g., expressly in music composing, or in audio recording), but in other areas of audio and in theories of procedurality and interaction. This minor provides grounding in game design and systems thinking, while also providing theoretical backing and skills in audio design and composition to prepare students to design successful audio for the games industry.

Game Entrepreneurism – The modern media, technology and entertainment fields are built on the backs of new businesses and new ideas. To start a successful business, a young video game entrepreneur needs specific knowledge of the processes for setting up a business, finding investment and turning their creative project from prototype to finished project. The Game Entrepreneurism Minor provides an educational path that teaches hard business thinking for creative entrepreneurs.

Game User Research – Game and interaction design are deeply dependent upon human-computer interaction and the ability to use research methods to improve player experience. Game user research is a critical aspect of game design and development that involves management of playtests and usability tests of the software, technology and rules. Along with the ability to analyze and design for optimal player experience, this field combines the ability to analyze large batches of data, and an understanding of how to build applications that mine data from users; these skills form the backbone of an incredibly valuable team member for digital entertainment products.

Themed Entertainment – Who designs theme parks, museums, fireworks shows, water fountain spectaculars, and parades? Themed entertainment designers do. From cruise ships to casinos to immersive educational retreats, the Themed Entertainment Minor teaches students to design almost anything that involves submerging a real, live human being into a story in a truly robust, physical way.

Video Game Production – Production is a critical field in video game development – the lynchpin that coordinates the work of many disciplines and shepherds that talent to bring a game to fruition. The Video Game Production minor guides students to a hands-on understanding of the process of developing video games, with an emphasis on production and project management. Students will be introduced to the many facets of video game production including design, art, programming, and management, as well as the hardware and software tools commonly involved in the process. Professionalization and communication will help students prepare for a career in production and learn to coordinate among specialists. Students will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with related fields critical to game production such as QA Management and Data Analytics.

Video Game Programming – Through integration of two major disciplines (computer science and information technology), students will be exposed to a variety of programming concepts related to creating video games including: 3-D graphics, artificial intelligence, particle systems, rendering, collision detection, game algorithms, physics concepts, and math formulas. In contrast to the video game design minor where the focus is applying design concepts and using software design tools, students in the video game programming minor will evaluate, write and debug code, in addition to creating a game engine during the course of the minor.

Technical Game Art – The Technical Game Art minor is a unique 16-unit program, offered by the Information Technology Program that combines an engineering background with the production practice of character modeling, rigging and animation to prepare students for a professional career in the field of 3d games and cinematics. Focuses on creative orchestrations per project, user-friendly toolsets and production planning.

Computer Science – The computer science minor introduces the concepts, tools and techniques that are involved in the programming of computers. The minor prepares students to achieve mastery in several current programming languages. In addition, the student will learn about creating effective user interfaces and how to build applications that are available on the Internet.

B.F.A. in Game Development and Interaction Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Development and Interaction Design combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in the design of games and interactive entertainment. Students make games at all levels of the program gaining hands-on skills across a range of digital media arts; the core game design education allows students the space within their education to earn multiple specializations within the industry, broadening their skill sets and post-education trajectory. Hands-on skills are taught within a vibrant community of thought that explores new models of interactivity as well as emerging markets and platforms for plaB.F.A in Game Artyful media. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, team-building, innovation and creative leadership.

B.F.A. in Game Art

The Bachelor of Arts in Interactive Entertainment combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in animation and art for games and interactive entertainment. Students make games at all levels of the program, gaining hands-on skills in art creation for real time graphics engines and a fundamental core in design, coding, and production. Students contribute to small and large projects, building deep hands-on skills in areas of specialization such as technical art, animation, environment art, modeling, art direction, and more. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, team-building, innovation and creative leadership.

B.F.A. in Themed Entertainment

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Themed Entertainment combines a broad liberal arts background with specialization in the design and production of themed spaces and immersive entertainment. Students make design and create themed experiences at all levels of the program gaining hands-on skills across a range of digital and physical media arts; the core themed entertainment education allows students the space within their education to earn multiple specializations within the industry, broadening their skill sets and post-education trajectory. Hands-on skills are taught within a vibrant community of thought that touches schools all across campus. Emphasis is placed on collaboration, team-building, innovation and creative leadership.

B.S. in Computer Science (Games)

The goal of the B.S. in Computer Science (Games) program is to graduate students with a solid grounding in computer science and a cross-disciplinary background in game development. Topics covered include game production, visual design for games and interactive, computer animation, video game programming, game hardware architectures, game engine programming, serious game development, introductory and intermediate game design, and two semester-long final game projects. Additionally, graduates from this program will be able to further their education in graduate programs in game development and computer science.

M.S. in Game Design and Development

The M.S. in Game Design and Development is an intensive two-year program designed to prepare students to become successful game designers and developers within the current video games industry. As with the undergraduate degree, M.S. students are immersed in hands-on project development, gaining skills in design, development, collaboration and creative leadership. The M.S. program draws on the strengths of USC Games, particularly the strong industry presence among faculty, and the rigorous industry facing Advanced Games Project program.

M.F.A. in Interactive Media

The M.F.A. in Interactive Media is an intensive three-year program designed to prepare students to become creative thought leaders and innovators in the evolving fields of games and interactive entertainment. As with the undergraduate degree, M.F.A. students are immersed in hands-on project development, gaining skills in design, development, collaboration and creative leadership, culminating in a year long thesis project. The M.F.A. program draws on the strengths of the School of Cinematic Arts, including Game Design, Animation, Sound Production, Screenwriting, Producing and Critical Studies, bringing these resources together in a vibrant community of innovative digital media practice.

M.A. in Cinematic Arts (Media Arts, Games and Health)

The Master of Arts in Cinematic Arts with an emphasis in Media Arts, Games and Health is administered by the Graduate School in conjunction with the Creative Media & Behavioral Health Center. The curriculum is based on center crosscutting initiatives that represent the broadest descriptions of our vision and mission. Students benefit from emerging research, tools and methodologies that converge at the center, as well as the wide range of backgrounds represented by faculty, students and visiting scholars.

M.S. in Computer Science with Specialization in Game Development

The goal of the M.S. in Computer Science (Game Development) program is to graduate students with a core in computer science, an engineering-oriented game development core, and a concentration in one of the key research directions in game development infrastructure, cognition and games, immersion, and serious games.

Game Design – Design for games is a young, exciting field applicable to media artists working all over the world, in different aspects of the industry and with as many different tools as possible. The Game Design minor teaches iterative design and prototyping skills while providing students the opportunity to explore design for new technologies and the skills of user assessment and usability testing.

Game Animation – The skills of the modern animator, visual effects artist, performance capture professional and many others are of great value in the games industry when paired with an understanding of how these assets can be used in games and systems. The Game Animation Minor provides an educational path that teaches both systems thinking and the skills and creativity of an animator.

Game Audio – Game audio professionals must not only be competent in one area (e.g., expressly in music composing, or in audio recording), but in other areas of audio and in theories of procedurality and interaction. This minor provides grounding in game design and systems thinking, while also providing theoretical backing and skills in audio design and composition to prepare students to design successful audio for the games industry.

Game Entrepreneurism – The modern media, technology and entertainment fields are built on the backs of new businesses and new ideas. To start a successful business, a young video game entrepreneur needs specific knowledge of the processes for setting up a business, finding investment and turning their creative project from prototype to finished project. The Game Entrepreneurism Minor provides an educational path that teaches hard business thinking for creative entrepreneurs.

Game User Research – Game and interaction design are deeply dependent upon human-computer interaction and the ability to use research methods to improve player experience. Game user research is a critical aspect of game design and development that involves management of playtests and usability tests of the software, technology and rules. Along with the ability to analyze and design for optimal player experience, this field combines the ability to analyze large batches of data, and an understanding of how to build applications that mine data from users; these skills form the backbone of an incredibly valuable team member for digital entertainment products.

Themed Entertainment – Who designs theme parks, museums, fireworks shows, water fountain spectaculars, and parades? Themed entertainment designers do. From cruise ships to casinos to immersive educational retreats, the Themed Entertainment Minor teaches students to design almost anything that involves submerging a real, live human being into a story in a truly robust, physical way.

Video Game Production – Production is a critical field in video game development – the lynchpin that coordinates the work of many disciplines and shepherds that talent to bring a game to fruition. The Video Game Production minor guides students to a hands-on understanding of the process of developing video games, with an emphasis on production and project management. Students will be introduced to the many facets of video game production including design, art, programming, and management, as well as the hardware and software tools commonly involved in the process. Professionalization and communication will help students prepare for a career in production and learn to coordinate among specialists. Students will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experience with related fields critical to game production such as QA Management and Data Analytics.

Video Game Programming – Through integration of two major disciplines (computer science and information technology), students will be exposed to a variety of programming concepts related to creating video games including: 3-D graphics, artificial intelligence, particle systems, rendering, collision detection, game algorithms, physics concepts, and math formulas. In contrast to the video game design minor where the focus is applying design concepts and using software design tools, students in the video game programming minor will evaluate, write and debug code, in addition to creating a game engine during the course of the minor.

Technical Game Art – The Technical Game Art minor is a unique 16-unit program, offered by the Information Technology Program that combines an engineering background with the production practice of character modeling, rigging and animation to prepare students for a professional career in the field of 3d games and cinematics. Focuses on creative orchestrations per project, user-friendly toolsets and production planning.

Computer Science – The computer science minor introduces the concepts, tools and techniques that are involved in the programming of computers. The minor prepares students to achieve mastery in several current programming languages. In addition, the student will learn about creating effective user interfaces and how to build applications that are available on the Internet.