UCI’s Game Design and Interactive Media program prepares students to be innovative designers, developers, and industry leaders. Taught by internationally-recognized faculty and industry experts, the program’s unique two-year foundation includes hands-on courses in worldbuilding, game design and development, game programming, and game studies. Students then pursue advanced coursework that culminates in a two-quarter capstone project supported by industry mentors. Electives in advanced game design and development, programming, storytelling, games entrepreneurship, and the cultural aspects of games offer students the chance to build a portfolio that reflects their individual interests and career goals. The program explores both established and emerging platforms, including AR/VR, tabletop, and mobile. Located in Silicon Beach, our students benefit from access to industry partners like Blizzard, Riot, Electronic Arts, Obsidian Entertainment, Age of Learning, Disney, Tencent, and the Cartoon Network.

Major Requirements

Lower-division

Upper-division

¹

Topics titles cannot be repeated. Topics titles may only be applied to one requirement section. The same topic title may not be applied elsewhere.

²

Open electives may not overlap with major requirements.

NOTES:

1. Students are advised that this sample program lists the minimum requirements; it is possible that students may have to take additional courses to prepare for required courses.
2. The lower-division writing requirement must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter at UCI.
3. This is only a sample plan. Course offerings may be moved due to unforeseen circumstances. It is strongly recommended that students meet with an academic advisor to create an academic plan tailored to meet their specific areas of interest.

Games and interactive media technologies are evolving at a radical pace in ways that are transforming how we work, learn, and play. As such, a wide variety of careers and graduate programs are open to Game Design and Interactive Media (GDIM) graduates, including game development, interactive entertainment, creative technologies, educational and learning software, and more. Because of the strong technical underpinnings of the degree program, demand for our GDIM majors is strong. The majority find employment in the industry, whether at a major publisher, smaller studio or as self-employed freelancers. Many squarely focus on entertainment, others succeed in bringing their skills to the design and development of serious games in a variety of domains, including healthcare and education.

Of course, many of our students also pursue a career or graduate school in game design, interactive media, computer science, or informatics after they complete the major.