Program Overview

Game Design and Development Master of Science Degree

Overview

The game design master's degree at RIT is ranked 8th among top universities in the world for students who want to study and create games, according to the 2024 international rankings from The Princeton Review. The program is characterized by a clear focus on development, but also educates developers in the design process. The degree is intended specifically for students who aspire to hold careers within the professional games industry or a related field such as simulation, edutainment, or visualization.

Careers and Experiential Learning

• Typical Job Titles:
  • Game Developer
  • Junior C++ Developer
  • Systems Design Engineer
  • Unity Developer
  • Associate Engine/Graphics Automation Engineer
  • Full Stack UI Developer
  • Software Developer
  • Software Engineer
  • Game Designer
  • Developer

Featured Work and Profiles

• Rope Tool
• First Person Stapler
• Eternal Machination
• ChangelingVR
• Bat Bots
• Adam's Grapple

Curriculum

Game Design and Development, MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • IGME-601: Game Development Processes
  • IGME-602: Game Design
  • IGME-603: Gameplay and Prototyping
  • IGME-695: Colloquium in Game Design and Development
  • Advanced Electives (9 credits)
• Second Year
  • IGME-695: Colloquium in Game Design and Development
  • IGME-788: Capstone Design
  • IGME-789: Capstone Development
  • Advanced Electives (6 credits)

Advanced Electives

• CSCI-610: Foundations of Computer Graphics
• CSCI-711: Global Illumination
• CSCI-712: Computer Animation: Algorithms and Techniques
• CSCI-713: Applied Perception in Graphics and Visualization
• GCIS-610: Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP) for Computing
• IGME-621: Board and Card Game Design and Development
• IGME-622: Game Balance
• IGME-623: Theory and Design of Role Play and Interactive Narrative
• IGME-624: Tabletop Role-Playing Game Design and Development
• IGME-670: Digital Audio Production
• IGME-671: Interactive Game and Audio
• IGME-680: IGM Production Studio
• IGME-689: IGM Graduate Research Studio
• IGME-690: IGM Graduate Seminar
• IGME-704: Research Methods: Human-Centered Research in Games
• IGME-705: Research Methods Game Development
• IGME-720: Social and Pervasive Game Design
• IGME-730: Game Design and Development for Casual and Mobile Platforms
• IGME-740: Game Graphics Programming
• IGME-742: Level Design
• IGME-750: Game Engine Design and Development
• IGME-753: Console Development
• IGME-760: Artificial Intelligence for Gameplay
• IGME-790: Graduate Seminar in IGM
• IGME-796: Advanced Topics in Game Design
• IGME-797: Advanced Topics in Game Development
• IGME-799: Independent Study

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Offered: Full-time
• Admit Term(s): Fall
• Application Deadline: January 31 priority deadline
• STEM Designated: Yes

Application Details

• Complete an online graduate application
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college in a relevant field
• Satisfy prerequisite requirements and/or complete bridge courses prior to starting program coursework
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives
• Submit two letters of recommendation
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit a portfolio
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required

English Language Test Scores

• TOEFL: 100
• IELTS: 7.0
• PTE Academic: 70

Faculty

• Christopher Egert
• Liz Lawley
• Austin Willoughby

Facilities

• Center for Worldbuilding and Storytelling
• Wegmans Theater

Related News

• RIT named a top 5 university to study game design
• How to Get a Degree in Game Design
• Grad’s job is all fun and games

Contact

• Admissions Contact: Bethany Iraci-McBane
• Program Contact: Sten McKinzie

Offered within the School of Interactive Games and Media

• Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

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