2023-24 Edition

Game Design and Interactive Media, B.S.

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.

Freshman Applicants: See the Undergraduate Admissions section.

Transfer Applicants:

All applicants must have a cumulative UC transferable GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of B in one year of computer programming courses in a single object–language (Python, Java, or C++). It is recommended that students articulate to I&C SCI 31-33 which can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Introduction to computer science courses do not meet this requirement.

Applicants to the Game Design and Interactive Media major should be aware that several lower-division courses must be taken at UCI; therefore, the minimum time to degree completion will be three years. Students are strongly urged to complete the IGETC at their community college to reduce their time to degree. Visit the UCI Office of Admissions website for information on transfer requirements for our major.
Major Requirements (176 total credits)

Lower-division

A. Complete:
GDIM 25 Game Design Fundamentals
GDIM 27 Intermediate Game Design
or I&C SCI 166 Game Design
GDIM 31 Introduction to Programming for Games
GDIM 32 Intermediate Programming for Games
or I&C SCI 167 Multiplayer Game Systems
GDIM 33 Coding In Game Engines
or I&C SCI 161 Game Engine Lab
GDIM 41 Games and Society
GDIM 49 Special Topics in Games and Society
GDIM 51 Visual Design Fundamentals
GDIM 53 Roleplaying and Improvisational Play
GDIM 55 Storytelling for Interactive Media
GDIM 61 Introduction to Game Development
or I&C SCI 62 Game Technologies and Interactive Media
STATS 6 Introduction to Data Science
Upper-Division
A. Complete:
GDIM 129 Special Topics in Advanced Game Design
GDIM 131 Data Analytics for Games and Interactive Media
GDIM 161 Multiplayer Game Project
GDIM 167A Capstone Game Project I
GDIM 167B Capstone Game Project II
B. Select one of the following:
Professional Studio/Practicum
Project Management
Games Entrepreneurship
Core Electives
A. Select an additional six courses from the following list: 1
Special Topics in Games and Society
Professional Studio/Practicum
Special Topics in Advanced Game Design
Special Topics in Game Programming
Special Topics in Interactive Media Design
Solo Game Project
Games Entrepreneurship
Intermediate Programming
Software Design: Applications
Human Computer Interaction
Project in Human-Computer Interaction Requirements and Evaluation
User Interaction Software
Project Management
Children's Learning and Media
Basic Statistics
Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Computer Science
B. Open Electives
Open electives may not overlap with major degree requirements.
1. Complete three elective courses from across the university (12 units)
2. Complete six upper-division elective courses from across the university (24 units)
1

Special topics courses may only apply to one given section. The same topic may not apply elsewhere.

Freshman
Fall Winter Spring
GDIM 31GDIM 25 or ICS 61GDIM 27 or ICS 166
GDIM 41GDIM 32 or ICS 167GDIM 33 or ICS 161
GDIM 51GDIM 55WRITING 60
WRITING 50GE IIGE II
Sophomore
Fall Winter Spring
STATS 6GDIM 49 (Core Elective)GDIM 61
GDIM 49GDIM 53GE III/VII
GE IV/VIIIGE IVOpen Elective
Open ElectiveOpen ElectiveOpen Elective
Junior
Fall Winter Spring
GDIM 129 (Core Elective)GDIM 127GDIM 129 (Core Elective)
ICS 163 (Counts for GDIM 129)GDIM 131GDIM 161
GE IIIUpper-Division WritingGE IV
GE VIOpen Elective 
Senior
Fall Winter Spring
GDIM 167AGDIM 167BGDIM 139 (Core Elective)
Core ElectiveOpen ElectiveGDIM 165 (Open Elective)
Open ElectiveOpen ElectiveOpen Elective

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.