The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design is a project-driven, multi-disciplinary program centered on game systems design, level design, and game assembly. You’ll learn an industry-ready approach that includes asset creation and integration, digital environment design, narrative development, and collaborative production workflows with designers and programmers.
Throughout your game studio sequence, you’ll design, build, and release fully playable games, working across multiple disciplines and within real development pipelines. You’ll strengthen your ability to communicate ideas visually, understand industry trends, and apply proven design principles and patterns.
You’ll also receive a high-performance Lenovo ThinkPad P1 G5 through LTU’s laptop program, equipped with Unreal Engine and all the professional tools needed for game development.
This program prepares you for careers in game design, level and systems design, and a broad range of interactive media roles.
Students and alumni work in game and interactive media roles such as:
Current students and graduates are employed at local and national companies such as:
Ford, Jackbox Games, Chimera Labs, Azure Ravens Entertainment, Dead Art Games, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Mackevision, Seventy 7, Flyover Games, Quicken Loans, Pluto, FanLabel, Pixo, 3DExcite, and Dreaming Door Studios.
Admission follows standard University requirements. Portfolios are not required.
Total Semester Credit Hours: 120
The information below is based on the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Game Design Progression Flowchart for the 2026 – 27 academic year (last updated February 6, 2026). View our Course Catalog page for more information about our individual courses.
College Composition develops students’ acquisition of the fundamental principles of academic writing. This course focuses on the development of writing thesis statements and main arguments, topic sentences, transitional words and phrases, supporting paragraphs, use of evidence, essay organization, and research skills. Extensive writing and research practice is required.
COM1103
3
An introduction to the fundamental issues shared by all design disciplines: design as process, visual literacy, how design communicates, ordering systems, principles of composition, global design cultures, and design ethics. Examples for study and discussion are drawn from a broad range of designed media: architecture, transportation, literature, graphics, games, music, cinema, common consumer objects, cultural artifacts, and dance.
DES1022
2
The ability to draw complex concepts, objects, and environments from the imagination is absolutely essential to the industrial and transportation design professions. Visual communication of physical objects is exemplified throughout this course. The students will be introduced to the basic tools and methodologies of sketching, both free-hand and digitally. Extensive information is presented on the correct usage of tools, basic perspective, composition, light and shadow, and line dynamics. Basic geometrical 3-view drawings and 3D CAD software will be introduced, as well, that will support and validate the reality of expressed ideas. This class requires extensive and repetitive practice to develop the skills of sketching and visual communication.
IDD1813
3
An introduction to formal and process principles that underlie all design disciplines. The course explores both fundamentals of visual interpretation as well as conceptual processes and tactics that are involved in building more complex methodologies. The focus of the course is on visual literacy, formal principles and the identification of relevancies as building blocks in design project significance and meaning.
DES1213
3
Mathematics Elective*
1XX4
4
Total Credits:
15
A historical survey that develops students’ abilities to critically engage texts of the ancient global world, placing an emphasis on the way these texts reflect their context and human experience. Readings may draw from philosophy, history, literature, visual art, and more. Class activities include reading of primary sources, seminar discussion, and writing in various genres. May be taken concurrently with COM 1103.
HUM1213
3
A historical survey that develops students’ abilities to engage texts of the modern global world, placing an emphasis on the way these texts reflect their context and human experience. Readings may draw from philosophy, history, literature, visual art, photography, film, digital media, and more. Class activities include reading of primary sources, seminar discussion, and writing in various genres. May be taken concurrently with COM 1103.
HUM1223
3
As a continuation of Drawing & Design Geometry 1, this course introduces more realism techniques for communicating surface transitions, colors, materials, textures, reflectivity, and transparency. More advanced 3D CAD modelling techniques will be taught to build the complex surfaces required for manufacturing processes. This course requires extensive and repetitive practice to develop the skills of sketching and visual communication, that address the needs of the industrial design profession.
IDD1823
3
The fundamentals of game system design is introduced through the principles and techniques for interactive game experience including, but not limited to, game mechanics, game loops, player dynamics, social and multiplayer structures, statistics, systems analysis, standardized vocabulary, and the fundamentals of critique, focus and usability testing.
GAM1513
3
Advanced application of basic principles in dynamic situations that include multiple disciplinary interests and priorities. Students are introduced to working methodologies that are used in design contexts practice to ideate, generate, explore, propose, and finalize works of design. Disciplinary-specific contexts are introduced within larger project-based delivery. (Studio)
DES1223
3
Total Credits:
12
*Mathematics Elective courses include:
MSC 1254 Geometry in Art
MCS 1074 Precalc
MCS 1414 Calc 1
MCS 2124 Statistics
CoAD History Elective*
2XX3
3
Development and exploration of digital environments using 3D modeling software. Focus on how to design for specific game engines as well as architectural approaches of spatial design.
GAM2133
3
Digital drawing and painting techniques are introduced through practice, study, and an emphasis on critique. Students will exercise their understanding of 2D digital art (form, perspective, value, etc.) and apply them to the game design focus. Fundamental concepts are strengthened alongside exploration of production techniques.
GAM2123
3
An in-depth look into level design theory through the use of industry-standard game engines and the
research, planning, and development of game environments. Game component interaction and processes are
explored to create, refine, and define successful player experiences within game spaces.
GAM2253
3
In this course, students will learn object-oriented programming techniques and write scripts for a current game engine. Students will gain a basic understanding of computer science concepts, awareness of different scripting languages, explore a program-development environment, and become aware of code syntax. The course will also emphasize an understanding of control structures, data structures, and program logic.
MCS2193
3
Total Credits:
15
LLT Elective
2XX3
3
This course will focus on physical and cognitive ergonomics. Students learn to observe and examine the behaviors and skills of humans and specifications for our designed environment.
IDD3713
3
-OR-
An exploration of the influences of environments on human behavior, including a study of the methods and tools used to evaluate psychological response and human needs.
INX2413
The study of interactive digital spaces with a focus on the methods and techniques that use the balance between spaces as physical limits and place as sites of attachment, belonging and significance.
GAM2333
3
The course is a one-time portfolio submittal during the second semester of the sophomore year. It is administered by the Directors of the respective programs. Used for advising, faculty from the programs will review the contents of the portfolio to guide students towards a successful completion of their chosen degree path. Students will be provided a template to inform the content of their portfolios.
DES2020
0
As part of the speculative design and environmental storytelling, students will learn to use audio as a critical tool to build atmosphere, guide the
player, and embed narrative directly into the game world. Students will leverage their level design, scripting, and 3D modeling skills to build
immersive worlds. The class focuses on narrative and speculative design for digital environments, asking students to create interactive experiences
that explore diverse scenarios and complex themes that engage sight and sound.
GAM2503
3
The class will provide a broad history of games from the origins of games in 3500 B.C. to video games of the 1970s to contemporary console game systems. The class will focus on game mechanics; explore narrative structures, player expectations and response, and game technology. Games are affected by, and influence, social, cultural, and political events. Through a series of lectures and assignments, students will experience the universal development of graphic design through its history.
GAM2213
3
Total Credits:
15
*CoAD History Elective courses include:
ARC 3613 History Designed Environment 1
GRA 3563 History of Graphic Design
INX 2313 History of Interiors
IDD 3723 Industrial Design History
Training in a systematic method for producing effective technical communication, written reports, letters, and memos as well as oral presentations. Lecture 3 hours. 3 hours credit
COM2103
3
The application of creative writing techniques through various literary genres: poetry, fiction, drama, screenwriting, non-fiction, and critical evaluation. The following courses can be taken concurrently with this course: LLT 1213, LLT 1223.
 CRW2513
3
Natural Science Elective
BIO, CHM, GLG, FSC, PHY, or PSC
XXX3
3
The study of interactive game design focused on the methods and techniques for rapid digital prototyping, iteration, tuning, and balancing.
GAM2513
3
This course addresses the relationship between sight, knowledge, and power to consider the aesthetic and cultural value of images. Students learn to
analyze the production, reception, and circulation of images to understand their visual meaning as well as social and cultural impact. Coursework addresses the visual world as manifested in design, art, architecture, popular media, and more, and draws from a variety of fields, including art and design history, media studies, critical theory, and philosophy.
GRA2223
3
Total Credits:
15
SSC Elective
SSC2XX3
3
Digital model generation and techniques used for animation with a focus on animation for game environments.
GAM3143
3
This course focuses on designing digital and physical user experiences and interfaces. Content will address concept ideation, user journeys, and information architecture, and will stress workflow, testing assumptions, and prototyping.
IDD3823
3
A full game design environment is simulated from project framing to operational prototype. Project development and management is introduced in a group setting focused on quick development, prototyping and presentation techniques for game design.
GAM2523
3
Course not found.
DES3623
3
Total Credits:
15
Natural Science Elective
BIO, CHM, GLG, FSC, PHY, or PSC
XXX3
3
Natural Science Elective Lab
BIO, CHM, GLG, FSC, PHY, or PSC
XXX1
1
This course focuses on leadership skills specific to the allied disciplines of design within the College of Architecture and Design. Students will engage models of leadership relevant to a dynamic and evolving professional context. Course content will include typologies of leadership organization, principles of successful teamwork and collaboration, viable economic frameworks, ethics and design entrepreneurship.
DES4112
2
Course not found.
GAM4143
3
The first part of a multi-term capstone experience involving in-depth study and application of game design and development knowledge in addition to project management skills to produce a playable prototype.
GAM4513
3
CoAD Elective
ARC, ARI, ART, DES, GAM, GRA, IDD, or INX
XXX3
3
Total Credits:
15
Humanities Elective
LLT, PSY, or SSC
3/4XX3
3
This course explores various models for professional practice, from corporate to entrepreneurial, and from traditional to innovative. Studies are supported by visiting professionals, firm tours, portfolio development, interview skills and different modes of self-promotion. Emphasis is placed on visual and verbal presentation techniques, ethics, job search skills and professional etiquette.
GRA3323
3
The second part of a multi-term capstone experience involving the implementation of formal game elements into an industry-level playable prototype. Professional skills are engaged alongside design processes and game system knowledge. This process culminates in a completed project built to industry standards and practices.
GAM4523
3
CoAD Elective
ARC, ARI, ART, DES, GAM, GRA, IDD, or INX
XXX3
3
CoAD Elective
ARC, ARI, ART, DES, GAM, GRA, IDD, or INX
XXX3
3
Total Credits:
15
View and play a variety of games created by students.
