Video Game Development (BA and Minor)

Create new worlds with a ba in video game development. Learn to adapt and become well-versed in interactive storytelling techniques, game design and audio. 

Learn every phase of the process of creating games: building a concept, prototyping, narrative design, asset creation, testing and release. You’ll become well-versed in interactive storytelling techniques, game design and game audio, and you’ll learn strategic software platforms. But—equally important—you’ll learn how to think and adapt.

Why earn your Video Game Development degree at St. Edwards?

• Welcome to the third largest hub for video game development in the country. Video Game Development majors at St. Edward's are in a prime location to network and volunteer at events like the Austin Game Conference and Classic Game Fest.

Take your learning outside of the classroom

• The "Meet the Makers" series brings accomplished industry veterans to campus. Learn from—and netwrok with speakers like programmers, game designers, board game creators, comic book writers and working professionals from DC Comics, SXSW Gaming, Worldwalker Games and Team Dogpit. Video Game Development majors have recently interned with Nokia, McAfee, HealthStart Foundation, The Museum of Human Achievment and We Care Insurance. 

Showcase your work at Game Fairs

• Show off your work at the end of every semester and have the humbling experience of watching others play your game at the Game Fair. This student showcase gathers all Video Game Development students for a party in the game lab. Invite your friends and family to play your game, offer feedback, and take time to test out your classmates' creations.  

Explore the world

• Spend a semester at our partner school Abertay University in Dundee, Scotland. Abertay is the one of the first universities in the world to offer a game development curriculum, offering one of the best game programs in northern Europe.

Become a game changer

• Help a community organization design and develop an educational game to advance its mission. Video Game Development majors have worked on the tablet game Monstralia, produced by Austin's HealthStart Foundation, which helps children develop healthy habits. 

What do our graduates do?

Video Game Development majors go on to a variety of careers from St. Edward's. Here is a sample:

• Production coordinator at Bungie, Inc.
• Embedded software engineer at Activision
• Game engineer at Schell Games
• Senior Business Operation coordinator at Zynga
• Software developer at Epic Systems Corperation PLC
• Associate producer at Electronic Arts
• QA tester at Aspyr Media

Degree Requirements

• Major Requirements: The B.A. in Video Game Development requires 56 hours of major courses, which include courses in computational foundations, digital media, visual studies, and game development. 
• General Education Requirements: The degree requires approximately 40 hours of general education courses which students complete over four years in addition to their major courses and electives.

A few examples of courses students take in this major:

• Interactive Storytelling – This seminar contrasts traditional storytelling with the particular challenges of interactive narrative. Students develop an ability to craft interactive narrative and explore the range of storytelling techniques available in video games.
• Game Design Studio I – Designed as a portfolio course, this course explores gameplay in 2D space and gives the student the opportunity to expand their game design portfolio by creating interactive projects using sound game design tools and methods.
• Introduction to Game Audio – This course will give students a solid understanding of physics of audio and sound design techniques used to record and produce sound effects, ambient tracks, and dialog for video games.  

Skills You Will Gain
Upon completing the Acting program, you’ll be ready to…

• Confidently craft interactive narratives;
• Expand your game design portfolio by creating interactive projects using sound game design tools and methods;
• Understand the physics of audio;
• Adapt to new technologies and consumer needs;
• Implement sound design techniques used to record and produce sound effects, ambient tracks and dialog for video games.