Why get a game design degree?
Learn industry tools and technologies while building immersive experiences, collaborating on projects and designing the future of play with the new Bachelor of Science in Game Design.
Through a hands-on approach to creating games, students hone the technological skills and build the cultural understanding required to design and develop games, augmented and virtual reality, mobile platforms, esports, and immersive and interactive environments that do more than entertain — they educate, connect and inspire.
Whether you're passionate about storytelling, systems thinking or digital arts, this program prepares you to become a culturally aware, technologically fluent game designer ready to make a global impact in a society increasingly shaped by revolutions in new technologies.
Skills you'll learn:
Press play on your career
Earning a degree from ASU – the No. 2 school for employable graduates among public U.S. universities — opens doors to the global gaming industry and to a host of other career possibilities.
$159.3 billion industry
The global video game industry was valued at $159.3 billion in 2020, according to the U.S. International Trade administration.
$78,790 median salary
The median salary in the video game industry is $78,790 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with higher salaries cited for more specific gaming careers.
16% job market growth
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the Special Effects Artists and Animators job market, which includes game designers, to grow 16% from 2020 to 2030, with demand for qualified video game designers expected to be high and sustained both in Arizona and nationally.
Career opportunities span multiple industries and areas of focus
- Artistic or programming careers in game design, including as level designers, immersive worlds creators, producers or UX designers, shaping how players interact with games.
- Related careers like graphic designers, computer programmers and other fields.
- Career options outside of gaming that benefit from the mix of creative, technical and project management skills students learn, including in film, architecture, animation, marketing and e-commerce, immersive and interactive immersive experience creation, data visualization, and more.
Gaming for good
The interdisciplinary BS in Game Design sits at the intersection of advanced technology, cultural relevance and social impact.
Students learn skills in both technology and the humanities and arts to craft meaningful experiences for millions of people worldwide — improving society and societal systems in areas as varied as health care and education. Through a hands-on approach to creating games, with a rich conceptual understanding of the cultural context of games, play, simulation, virtual environments and interactive media, this program prepares students to be critically-thinking global citizens who use their expertise in game design and media arts to bring about positive change in society.
Why ASU?
As a student in the School of Arts, Media and Engineering in the Herberger Institute, you’ll be part of a closely-connected creative community with all the resources and expertise found at a 21st-century research university, where you will:
- Get guidance, mentorship and support from our expert faculty and network with leaders in the gaming industry through ASU’s Endless Games and Learning Lab.
- Harness creativity — the most in-demand skill for more than 70% of employers, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Survey.
- Access and learn in unparalleled facilities with industry-standard technology, including the state-of-the-art Media and Immersive eXperience (MIX) Center.
- Have the opportunity to join the student gaming community and our Esports Lounge.
- Be a game designer from day one — with the chance to work on real-world projects and scenarios and in a program with hands-on industry embedded curriculum.
Connect with us
If you have any questions, please reach out to us! The quickest way to reach us is through email. Our admission representatives in the Herberger Institute can provide admissions guidance and support to prospective students.
HerbergerAdmissions@asu.edu
480-727-4757