Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Game Design

In Nyfa’s bachelor of fine arts (bfa) in game design program, students build fundamental knowledge in the art, technology, design, narrative storytelling, and business of video games. Through hands-on, project-based learning, students study the key elements that make up video game genres and how they are employed effectively to create a successful game. 

Under the guidance and direction of professional game designers, students learn how to engage and immerse players in a gameplay experience, establishing a strong foundation of skills in playable system design, game writing, playcentric design, systems literacy, narrative design, original play mechanics, game analysis, and 3D art.

Students will create a playable, portfolio ready game per semester using industry best practices, including Agile and Scrum. By the conclusion of the BFA, students have a portfolio with their best work that demonstrates their growing creative and technical skills.

The BFA in Game Design program is offered at NYFA Los Angeles. During the program, students take advanced courses and practical workshops that teach them how to deconstruct any game experience. Students also learn game prototyping, playtesting, iteration, presentation, and collaboration, and 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 and how those inform the process of designing and producing games. 

The curriculum includes:

• The framework to create a project per semester
• Instruction and mentorship from our experienced faculty of professional Game Designers
• Access to industry-standard equipment and software
• The ability to attend exclusive guest speaker events with industry experts such as Game Designers, Filmmakers, 3D Animators, and and more

Degree Details

• NYFA’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Game Design is an eight-semester, full-time study undergraduate program offered at NYFA Los Angeles. 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. NYFA makes this accelerated schedule possible by allowing students to complete three full-length semesters each calendar year.

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, completing 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.

Liberal Arts and Sciences

• NYFA’s Game Design BFA 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. Courses in science and world cultures develop students’ understanding of the diverse interpersonal and societal forces that shape people’s lives and stories. Prospective game design students can learn more about BFA requirements on NYFA’s Liberal Arts and Sciences overview page.