DigiPen began its first video game programming course in 1994 and focuses primarily on game development. The institute offers four-year bachelor's degrees in production animation, game design, real-time interactive simulation and computer engineering, as well as a master's degree in computer science. Its two campuses in Redmond, Washington, are close to more than 50 game development companies.
DigiPen Institute of Technology
9931 Willows Road NE
Redmond, WA 98052
digipen.edu
Located near dozens of computer game companies like Blizzard Entertainment, the University of California, Irvine offers a bachelor's degree in computer game science emphasizing game design with other interactive media. Coursework is heavy in programming, physics, mathematics and film studies. A university-sponsored video game developers club brings students together with industry professionals. The Center for Computer Games & Virtual Worlds researches game-based virtual worlds.
University of California, Irvine
510 Aldrich Hall #5
Irvine, CA 92697-0001
949-824-5011
uci.edu
True to its entertainment industry emphasis, Full Sail's 191-acre campus has more than 100 studios and production facilities geared to film, show production, games and animation. Electronic Gaming Monthly labeled Full Sail's offerings among the world's top five game degree programs. Game-related programs lead to bachelor's degrees in animation, digital arts design, game development and game art, and a master's degree in game design.
Full Sail University
3300 University Blvd.
Winter Park, FL 32792
fullsail.edu
Students in Vancouver Film School's one-year game design program work with game industry professionals to create playable games. The program covers the business of games in addition to essential skills such as story-telling, game art and level design. The school also offers one-year certificate programs in 3D animation and visual graphics and in sound design for visual media, and a six-month program in digital character animation using Maya. In 2008, the Los Angeles Times called the game design program one of the top 10 favored by recruiters. The entertainment industry-sponsored Computer Graphics Student Awards named VFS School of the Year in 2010.
Vancouver Film School
Administration & Admissions Office
198 W. Hastings St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6B 1H2
vfs.edu