Game Design and Development (BA)

Create games that truly matter with our game design and development (gdd) program. Learn to design compelling video games, board games, and escape rooms that push the boundaries of gameplay and representation. 

Develop vital skills in creativity, writing, visual design, critical thinking, and problem solving. Master the integration of programming and art to craft functional prototypes. Get ready to excel in the dynamic game industry, combining technical expertise with innovative creative vision.

Degree Highlights

• Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. 

Here are a few things you can count on:  

• Learn from the Pros: Gain insights from faculty members with hands-on game design experience. Work closely with them to transform your initial prototypes into publishable games, enhancing your skills and portfolio.
• Flexible Career Options: Tailor your degree to match your career goals with options like a Computer Science Minor, a Combination BA with English, or a Minor in User Experience Design. Explore diverse avenues in game design to fit your interests.
• Teaching Pathway: Integrate Game Design with Teaching. Explore how game design can intersect with teaching through Laurier’s GDD with Teaching Option. Prepare for a career that blends education and game design - apply to the Teaching Option on OUAC.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

• Build and Showcase Your Portfolio: Develop a robust portfolio with project-focused courses, create and release games through coursework and student groups, and gain practical experience to impress potential employers.
• Live and Learn: Join the game changers residence community. Immerse yourself in the Game Changers Residence Learning Community, where you’ll live and collaborate with fellow Game Design and Development students from day one.
• Hands-On Opportunities: Engage in Community Service-Learning placements. Participate in game jams, research projects, and other experiential learning opportunities on campus and in the community to gain valuable experience and expand your professional network. 

First-Year Courses

• Critical Play
• Critical Game Design
• Games as Art
• Visual Design for Games
• Playful Programming

Sample First-Year Electives

• Design Thinking
• Leadership Foundations
• Introduction to Psychology
• UX Strategy
• The Engaged Citizen: Social and Environmental Justice 
• Graphic Design Studio 
• Leadership Foundations 

Sample Upper-Year Courses

• Environmental Storytelling 
• Web Game Design 
• Ethics in Game Design
• Escape Room and Puzzle Design
• Business of Game Development 
• Project Management
• Solo Critical Game Development
• Capstone in Critical Game Design

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

• Leadership Minor/Option
• Psychology Minor
• Computer Science Minor
• Teaching Option
• Politics & Public Policy Option 

Combinations

Expand your field of expertise by pairing your Game Design and Development BA with another BA program:  

• Computer Science
• Leadership
• Youth and Children’s Studies
• Health Studies
• English
• History
• Human Rights
• Indigenous Studies
• Social and Environmental Justice

Your Career Awaits

• It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
• Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options
Note: Additional training and education may be required.

• Application or web game designer
• Educational/training game designer
• Escape room designer
• Junior design director
• Quality assurance analyst
• Game designer
• Game writer
• Game design consultant
• Indie game entrepreneur
• Project manager
• Simulation designer/developer
• Social media coordinator 

Support After Graduation

• Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.