Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Game Design

The New York Film Academy (NYFA) offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Game Design, a comprehensive program that equips students with the fundamental knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in the game design industry. This program is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the art, technology, design, narrative storytelling, and business of video games.

Program Overview

The BFA in Game Design is an eight-semester, full-time study undergraduate program offered at the NYFA Los Angeles campus. By completing the Bachelor's degree in three years, students save one year of study and enter the field of their choice a year early. The program is structured to allow students to complete three full-length semesters each calendar year, making it possible to accelerate their studies.

Curriculum

The curriculum of the BFA in Game Design program includes advanced courses and practical workshops that teach students how to deconstruct any game experience. Students learn game prototyping, playtesting, iteration, presentation, and collaboration, as well as the key elements that make up specific video game genres. As they create their own games, students practice writing code and creating art assets and game animations, informing the process of designing and producing games. The curriculum includes:

• The framework to create a project per semester
• Instruction and mentorship from experienced faculty of professional game designers
• Access to industry-standard equipment and software
• The ability to attend exclusive guest speaker events with industry experts

Degree Details

The BFA in Game Design is a liberal arts education that emphasizes the same general education credits as other BFA programs. In addition to their game design classes, students take courses in the humanities, social science, natural science, and the history of media to gain general critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Studies in the humanities develop skill in interpreting and understanding the human condition, while courses in science and world cultures develop students' understanding of the diverse interpersonal and societal forces that shape people's lives and stories.

Projects

During their time at NYFA, game design students create a range of original content for their portfolio. These projects are designed to teach students how to design video games on all platforms, including PC, console, portable, Internet, iPhone, and iPad. Students also create working software with their peers, supported by an instructor who assists them with hands-on coding. The program includes a two-semester Collaborative Thesis Project and a Collaborative Thesis Project II, which includes a 30-page game design wiki, written story materials, and polished working software.

Locations

The BFA in Game Design program is available at the NYFA Los Angeles campus. The campus is located at 3300 W Riverside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505.

Tuition and Fees

The tuition for the BFA in Game Design program is $19,500 per semester. Additional fees include:

• Departmental Program Fee: $1,000 per semester
• Technology Fee: $80 per semester
• Wellness Services & Programming Fee: $145 per semester
• Activity Fee: $125 per semester
• Orientation Fee: $150 for domestic students, $200 for international students
• Graduation Fee: $100
• International Student Fee: $200 for the first semester, $120 each subsequent semester

Start Dates

The program start dates are listed below:

• Los Angeles: August 2026 – April 2029

Program Duration

The program duration is 8 semesters.

Accreditation

The New York Film Academy is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE). "Approval" or "approval to operate" means that the institution is compliant with the minimum standards contained in the California Private Postsecondary Education Act of 2009 (as amended) and Division 7.5 of Title 5 of the California Code of Education.