Join Our Alumni Ranks
USV alumni have gone on to work at some of the most prestigious studios in the video game industry.
In our Online Bachelor of Arts in Game Design college program, we’ll take you on an epic journey through hands-on, collaborative adventures.
Learn the secrets of logic, balance, storytelling, programming, and level design in our award-winning game design classes. It’s all about practical experience with game engines, project management, and rocking awesome projects with your fellow students. Your final challenge? A mind-blowing two-semester capstone project where interdisciplinary teams create gaming magic. With a range of electives, you can further develop your programming, game writing, marketing, user experience, art, or audio skills. Get ready to unleash your creativity and become the ultimate game design hero!
USV alumni have gone on to work at some of the most prestigious studios in the video game industry.
Articulate and demonstrate game design principles and best practices through the development of engaging, interactive media.
Demonstrate understanding of proven game storytelling principles while employing narrative-related tools, techniques, and best practices.
Implement, test, and critique user-centered design experiences and interfaces within interactive media.
Collaborate effectively and ethically as part of multidisciplinary projects and demonstrate professionalism in diverse team environments.
Demonstrate a career-ready understanding of game design and production through a published portfolio and professional identity.
Hey, future game changers! Ready to dive deep into the heart of storytelling in video games? Our Game Writing focus is where the magic happens. Guided by a rockstar industry veteran, you’ll learn the ropes of game writing and narrative design – the hottest roles in game dev today.
Some Game Writing grads are now rocking narrative roles at studios like Blizzard, Magic Tavern, and even FableLabs. Our Game Writing champs have been owning the GDC Game Narrative Review competition for six years, snatching five Gold-level awards!
Dive into game story and narrative analysis. Craft epic cutscenes. Plan and write those iconic game "barks." Craft branching dialogues and gripping stories. Create your own intellectual property (I.P.). Work within existing I.P. Direct voice talent like a pro. Develop your very own narrative-driven game. Learn the art of crafting a killer game writing portfolio site.
Get personal mentorship from Professor Skolnick himself. Field trips to top game studios (when available). Connect with at least eight industry pros beyond USV (think design, narrative, game writing).
In a world of gaming programs, we're the rare breed with a whole track dedicated to this red-hot game development discipline. Don't just make games – write 'em like a pro!"
Electives crafted for future digital storytellers. The mastermind behind it all? Evan Skolnick!
Evan Skolnick? He’s not your average storyteller. With a whopping 25 years of combined experience in crafting stories and game development, this guy’s been everywhere – from Marvel to Activision to Lucasfilm. He’s not just a writer; he’s a game writer and an international speaker, sharing his wisdom with over a thousand game development pros.
But that’s not all – Mr. Skolnick’s got some serious game credits under his belt. Think Cuphead, Star Wars: Battlefront, The Walking Dead: A New Frontier, Mafia III, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, and a whole lot more!
Oh, and did we mention he’s an author, too? Yep, you can find his book Video Game Storytelling published by Penguin Random House.
And here’s the kicker – at USV, he’s the brains behind the Game Writing concentration, the hottest program on the West Coast. Evan Skolnick – where storytelling meets gaming innovation!
Picture this: Your files, multimedia masterpieces, and coursework are all at your fingertips, 24/7. That’s the magic of Tech Pack™.
What’s in the box? A sleek laptop and media creation software tailored to your program, keeping you in sync with the ever-evolving industry standards. And it’s yours to keep after you graduate, setting you up for success in the future. Whether you’re crafting the next big game or working on mind-blowing multimedia projects, Tech Pack™ has your back.
The exact components of your Tech Pack™ might vary based on what’s available when we ship it out. No worries – it’s all part of your total education cost. Oh, and about the software? You’ll need to do a quick download using your USV email. Just a heads-up, there might be a small cost involved. Keep it in the loop!
What's included*:
*Pricing and package specifications are subject to change.
Our Game Design classes are available 100% online. Learn from the comfort of your own home, but with the multiplayer support of our award-winning curriculum.
In Game Studio, students work in teams for external clients, adding actual games that ship to their portfolio. Project-based learning leads to real-world results.
