Major Minor

B.S.

Major in Game Design

Tell stories through games • Become a professional game designer • Impact the world

Create the games you want to play.

In the game design major, you'll learn how to create the games of your dreams. You'll sharpen coding skills, gain a deep understanding of game theory, draw upon 3D modeling abilities and understand the field from a Christian perspective. 

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Learn hands-on

JBU game design majors have every opportunity to work with state-of-the-art equipment and engage with advanced technology while coming up with concepts for their own games. 

Integrate faith & learning

At JBU, you'll be guided and learn how to design games that integrate your faith covertly or overtly, while learning to seek excellence and honor God.

Graduate into a growing industry

93% of people under the age of 18 play video games, and video game sales have grown consistently every year since 2015. A game design degree will prepare you for this growing industry. 

What to expect as a game design student at JBU

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Learn the fundamentals

Game design majors will learn the basics of both computer science and graphic design, a great springboard into more advanced game design coursework. 

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Enjoy incredible facilities

The Balzer Technology Center has 40,000 square feet of state-of-the-art labs and learning space.

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Accelerate earning a master's

With JBU's 4+1 program, you can begin taking master's level classes as an undergraduate and finish both your bachelor's in game design and a master's degree in another program in five years. (You can even finish online once you get a full-time job.)

What can you do with a game design degree?

The game design major is well-equipped to prepare students for their career.

Game designer

You'll sharpen skills in multiple areas, allowing you to pursue a career in video or tabletop gaming.

Artistic director

You'll be able to create the artistic vision for games both board and digital, from story-crafting to 3D modeling. 

UI design

Game designers understand the importance of a clean user interface. In the game design major, you'll be taught how to create an excellent interface experience for all users. 

Not sure which degree to choose? 

Learn more about our other engineering and computer science programs.

Key game design courses

Game Design 1

This course teaches game designers to learn to craft a story arc that compels the audience to keep playing. This course includes three units of projects: a short analysis paper about “railroading” or linear games, with a CYOA story sample; a “sandbox” or open-world table-top game like a 10-page D&D module; and a 4-6 week project that involves programming in any computer language, whether one the student is already proficient in, or one that fits their game model. This final “interactive fiction” (text adventure) foundation also introduces artificial intelligence techniques for creating lifelike behaviors in characters and computer opponents.

Introduction to Creative Writing

This course will provide a forum for beginning writers to acquaint themselves with and explore the conventions of poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction. Students will read widely and write extensively, learning to appreciate the creative process and developing a vocabulary for the craft.

Object-Oriented Programming

The course introduces basic programming concepts, collections, and object-oriented analysis and design. Object-oriented concepts like abstraction, polymorphism, inheritance, and encapsulation are covered in detail with hands-on experience in programming and problem-solving with practical applications. Usage of Python packages and libraries for solving advanced real-time problems will also be covered. Students will have hands-on programming experience through lab sessions and team projects.

Computer Graphics

Introduction to current professional software programs used in the fields of graphic design, illustration, digital media, and photography. Taught on the Macintosh platform.

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The future you starts here.

Equip yourself for a successful career and a life of purpose.

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