Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Game Design offers dynamic and multidisciplinary education in game design and development. The program is based on the principle that successful games are crafted through a blend of imaginative storytelling, cutting-edge technology, and artistic vision. The blend of skills in these areas culminates in engaging interactive digital and analog experiences that have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire.
Students in the Game Design major (GDM) study general game design principles, broad skills across the many disciplines of game design, and specialize in one focus area of interest that best suits their passions and career interests. These three areas are: Game Art, Game Computing, and Game Worlds. The focus areas reflect the major sub-disciplines within game design and allow students to develop mastery in one possible career path. Students across these focus areas share core courses that cover game design thinking, career development, game analysis, prototyping, and a capstone project studio in their final year, which they dedicate to producing a collaborative capstone project. Throughout their coursework, students gain individual and multidisciplinary team-based experience in iterative design individually and in multidisciplinary teams. Graduates leave with a portfolio of skills and games that prepare them for a range of careers in the game industry and adjacent allied fields.
The GDM brings together the artistry of game design elements, the mechanics of gameplay, and the technology of creation. A Bachelor of Science in Game Design is brought together, and Iowa State University provides the tools and knowledge you need to turn your creativity into reality.
Student Learning Outcomes
After successfully completing the Game Design major, students will be able to:
1. Understand principles of game design thinking, including genre, formal elements, dramatic elements, and system dynamics
2. Explain how human and social contexts shape game development and the impact of games
3. Employ appropriate technology, including hardware and software, for game development
4. Communicate and plan effectively within multidisciplinary teams
5. Evaluate user experience in games through play-testing and implement the lessons learned
6. Develop, critique, and analyze game prototypes using methods of game design thinking
7. Create, iterate, and publish finished games as part of a capstone portfolio
Grade Point Requirement
All students majoring in Game Design are required to earn a C- or better in all courses applied toward the degree, including transfer credits.
Game Design Focus Area
Game Design majors must choose at least one Game Design Focus Area. The options are Game Art, Game Computing, or Game Worlds.
Focus Area Description
Game Art will prepare students to solve visual problems in gaming. They will gain skills in drawing, visual design and storytelling, storyboarding, character animation, 3D modeling, and related fields. They will learn how to utilize this knowledge in the game development process.
Game Computing will provide comprehensive knowledge in programming, coding, and creating online digital games as well as skills used in the creation of analog games. Students will gain a profound education in object-oriented programming, data structures, and discrete computational structures which they will be able to apply in game design and development.
Game Worlds will provide students with the skills and knowledge to create meaningful and engaging worlds for games of every scale, understand and design dynamic stories, and comprehend the cultural relevance of the games they play, study, and develop. Within Game Worlds, courses are subdivided into Game Worlds, Narrative Design, and Society. This focus area will support students’ acquisition of the skills to apply cultural lessons to the writing and narrative design of games.
Courses in each Focus Area belong to one of four subcategories:
- Focus Required
- Focus Option
- Interdisciplinary Option
- Game Exploration
Focus Required courses pertain to the focus area’s core competencies. Focus Option courses allow students to follow their specific career and personal interests within the Focus Area. Interdisciplinary Option courses require you to take courses in a Focus Area other than your own. Game Exploration courses allow discovery in the broader discipline.
Focus Required and Focus Option
Focus Required and Focus Option courses are discipline specific courses necessary to develop the skills and knowledge within that Focus Area. Student study in a Focus Area develops individual skills that students will then bring to team-based, interdisciplinary Game Design projects and professional settings. The Game Design Curriculum sheet has clearly defined prerequisites not listed here for each Focus Area.
Degree Requirements
The Bachelor of Science in Game Design is a four-year program that consists of 121 credits: 40 credits of General Education, 65-66 credits in Game Design courses (required and elective courses related to a focus area), and 14-15 credits in General Electives.
Information on admission criteria, including allowable credits for transfer students, is announced yearly on the College of Design website.
Game Design Focus Areas
Game Design majors must choose a Focus Area: Game Art, Game Computing, or Game Worlds. All focus area study plans include a common core of required Game Design courses as well as required courses and electives that are specific to the focus area.
Game Art will prepare students to solve visual problems in gaming and will learn how to utilize this knowledge in the game development process. Students will gain skills in drawing, visual design and storytelling, storyboarding, character animation, 3D modeling, and related fields.
Game Computing will provide comprehensive knowledge in programming, coding, and creating online digital games. Students will focus on object-oriented programming, data structures, and discrete computational structures which they will be able to apply in game design and development.
Game Worlds will provide students with the skills and knowledge to create meaningful and engaging worlds for games of every scale, understand and design dynamic stories, and comprehend the cultural relevance of the games they play, study, and develop. Within Game Worlds, courses are subdivided into Game Worlds, Narrative Design, and Society. This focus area will support students’ acquisition of the skills to apply cultural lessons to the writing and narrative design of games.
General Education Requirements - All Focus Areas (40 credits)
| University Requirements | 6 | |
International Perspectives | ||
U.S. Cultures and Communities | ||
| Communications | 10 | |
| Critical Thinking and Communication | ||
| Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition | ||
| Introduction to College Level Research | ||
| Select one from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Communication Studies | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Listening | ||
| Fundamentals of Public Speaking | ||
| Humanities* | 6 | |
| Social Sciences* | 6 | |
| Math, Physical and Biological Sciences* | 6 | |
| Additional General Education (3000-4000)* | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 40 | |
*See approved list of courses on Curriculum Sheet
Game Art Focus Area
| Game Art Required | ||
| COMS 1270 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
| DSNS 1310 | Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 2300 | Drawing II | 3 |
| GAME 2020 | Game Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| GAME 2030 | Introduction to Game Engines | 3 |
| ART 2120 | Studio Fundamentals: Digital Media | 3 |
| GAME 2100 | Game Career Development | 2 |
| GAME 2110 | Game Play and Analysis | 3 |
| GAME 3010 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| GAME 4010 | Game Design Capstone | 6 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Game Design and History | ||
| Game Design and Cultures | ||
| Game Art Electives - Choose 18 credits from the following: | 18 | |
| Computer Modeling, Rendering and Virtual Photography | ||
| Introduction to 3D Organic Modeling in ZBrush | ||
| Principles of Character Animation | ||
| Scientific Illustration Principles and Techniques | ||
| Digital Rendering | ||
| Illustration as Communication | ||
| Principles of 3D Animation | ||
| Selected Studies in Graphic Design | ||
| Character and Scene Design | ||
| Sequential Narrative Drawing | ||
| 3D Motion Graphics | ||
| Data, Code, and Form | ||
| Video Art | ||
| Game Design Exploratory Electives - 12 credits from other Focus Areas | 12 | |
Choose 3 credits from Game Computing Courses | ||
Choose 3 credits from Game Worlds Courses | ||
Choose 6 credits from Game Art, Game Computing, and/or Game Worlds Courses | ||
| General University Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
Game Computing Focus Area
| Game Computing Required | ||
| COMS 1270 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
| DSNS 1310 | Drawing I | 4 |
| GAME 2020 | Game Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| GAME 2030 | Introduction to Game Engines | 3 |
| GAME 2040 | Programming for Game Engines | 3 |
| ART 2120 | Studio Fundamentals: Digital Media | 3 |
| GAME 2100 | Game Career Development | 2 |
| GAME 2110 | Game Play and Analysis | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Game Design and History | ||
| Game Design and Cultures | ||
| GAME 3010 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| GAME 4010 | Game Design Capstone | 6 |
| COMS 2270 | Object-oriented Programming | 4 |
| COMS 2280 | Introduction to Data Structures | 3 |
| COMS 2300 | Discrete Computational Structures | 3 |
| COMS 3110 | Introduction to the Design and Analysis of Algorithms | 3 |
| COMS 3270 | Advanced Programming Techniques | 3 |
| COMS 3360 | Introduction to Computer Graphics | 3 |
| COMS 4370 | Computer Game and Media Programming | 3 |
| Game Computing Electives - Choose 3 credits from the following | 3 | |
| Cyber Security Concepts and Tools | ||
| Urban Analytical Methods | ||
| GIS Programming and Automation | ||
| Principles and Practices of Learning with Technology | ||
| Software Development Practices | ||
| Introduction to Software Testing | ||
| Construction of User Interfaces | ||
| Software Architecture and Design | ||
| Software Analysis and Verification for Safety and Security | ||
| Game Design Exploratory Electives - 6 credits from other Focus Areas | 6 | |
Choose 6 credits from Game Art or Game Worlds | ||
| General University Electives | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
Game Worlds Focus Area
| Game Worlds Required | ||
| COMS 1270 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 |
| DSNS 1310 | Drawing I | 4 |
| GAME 2020 | Game Design Fundamentals | 3 |
| GAME 2030 | Introduction to Game Engines | 3 |
| ART 2120 | Studio Fundamentals: Digital Media | 3 |
| GAME 2100 | Game Career Development | 2 |
| GAME 2110 | Game Play and Analysis | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Game Design and History | ||
| Game Design and Cultures | ||
| GAME 3010 | Game Design Workshop | 3 |
| GAME 4010 | Game Design Capstone | 6 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Creative Writing: Fiction | ||
| Creative Writing: Screenplays | ||
| Creative Writing: Playwriting | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following (World Building): | 3 | |
| Globalization and the Human Condition | ||
| Wonders of the World, Global History of Innovation | ||
| Democracy and Dictatorship: Introduction to Comparative Politics | ||
| World Religions | ||
| The North American Metropolis | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following (Narrative Design): | 3 | |
| Greek and Roman Mythology | ||
| Analysis of Popular Culture Texts | ||
| Metaphysics in Science Fiction and Popular Culture | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following (Society): | 3 | |
| History of Art I | ||
| History of Art II | ||
| The History of Sports in the United States | ||
| Religion and Popular Culture | ||
| Moral Theory and Practice | ||
| World Cities and Globalization | ||
| Choose 3 credits from the following (Open Topics): | 3 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of Native North America | ||
| Art and Theory Since 1945 | ||
| Urban Geography | ||
ENGL 3150 | Creative Writing: Screenplays | |
| Science Fiction | ||
| Cultural Heritage of the Ancient World | ||
| The Mythic Wild West | ||
| Metaphysics: God, Minds, and Matter | ||
| Video Games and Politics | ||
| Politics and Society | ||
| Choose 6 credits from the following (Open Topics): | 6 | |
| Ethnic and Race Relations | ||
ENGL 3040 | Creative Writing: Fiction | |
| Business Communication | ||
| Rhetorical Website Design | ||
ENGL 3160 | Creative Writing: Playwriting | |
| Women/Gender in Art | ||
| American Stuff, Colonial Times to the Present | ||
| Philosophy of Technology | ||
| Media Psychology | ||
| Gender and Consumer Culture | ||
| Game Design Exploratory Electives - 12 credits from other Focus Areas | 12 | |
Choose 3 credits from Game Computing | ||
Choose 3 credits from Game Art | ||
Choose 6 credits from Game Art, Game Computing, and/or Game Worlds Courses | ||
| General University Electives | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 81 | |
Four Year Plans
Game Art Focus Area
* Indicates prerequisite for future course not covered by core courses
# May be skipped with satisfactory placement exam score
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| DSNS 1310 | 4 | COMS 1270 | 3 |
| GAME 2020 | 3 | ART 2120 | 3 |
| MATH 1400 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 3 | GAME 2030 | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 (# [or Gen Ed]) | 3 | MATH 1430 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 4 |
| GAME 2720 | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 2100 | 2 | GAME 2110 | 3 |
| ART 2300 | 3 | Game Art Elective | 3 |
| Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 | Game Art Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 3010 | 3 | Game Art Elective | 3 |
| Game Art Elective | 3 | Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 |
| Game Art Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 4010 | 6 | Game Art Elective | 3 |
| Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 | Game Art Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| Game Art Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 | Game Art Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| General Education | 2 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||
Game Computing Focus Area
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| DSNS 1310 | 4 | COMS 1270 | 3 |
| GAME 2020 | 3 | ART 2120 | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 (# [or Gen Ed]) | 3 | GAME 2030 | 3 |
| MATH 1400 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 3 | MATH 1430 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 4 |
| GAME 2720 | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 2100 | 2 | GAME 2110 | 3 |
| GAME 2040 | 3 | COMS 2280 | 3 |
| COMS 2270 | 4 | COMS 2300 | 3 |
| ENGL 2500 (or Gen Ed) | 3 | MATH 1660 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 4 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 |
| MATH 1650 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 4 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 3010 | 3 | COMS 3360 | 3 |
| COMS 3110 | 3 | Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 |
| COMS 3270 | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| MATH 2070, MATH 2650, or MATH 3170 | 3-4 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| General Education | 2-3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| 14-16 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 4010 | 6 | COMS 4370 | 3 |
| Game Computing Elective | 3 | Game Computing Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| Game Computing/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 | Game Computing Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | Game Computing Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 12 | ||
| Total Credits: 121-123 | |||
Game Worlds Focus Area
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| DSNS 1310 | 4 | COMS 1270 | 3 |
| GAME 2020 | 3 | ART 2120 | 3 |
| ENGL 1500 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 3 | GAME 2030 | 3 |
| MATH 1400 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 3 | MATH 1430 (#* [or Gen Ed]) | 4 |
| GAME 2720 | 3 | ENGL 2500 | 3 |
| LIB 1600 | 1 | ||
| 16 | 17 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 2100 | 2 | GAME 2110 | 3 |
| Game Worlds Required | 3 | Game Worlds Elective (Narrative) | 3 |
| Game Worlds Elective (Worlds) | 3 | Game Worlds Elective (Society) | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 3010 | 3 | Game Worlds Elective (Open) | 3 |
| Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 | Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 |
| Game Worlds Elective (Open) | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | General Education/Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| GAME 4010 | 6 | Game Worlds Elective | 3 |
| Game Design Exploratory Elective | 3 | Game Worlds Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| Game Worlds Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 | Game Worlds Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 3 | Game Worlds Elective/Gen Ed/Elective | 3 |
| General Education/Elective | 2 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits: 121 | |||