| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Quinnipiac University | Hamden |
| 2 | University of Connecticut | Storrs |
| 3 | Sacred Heart University | Fairfield |
For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
With two paths to study game design, Quinnipiac University (QU) is recognized as an Unreal Academic Partner. Program options include the Game Design and Development (GDD) BA, and a GDD minor that provides opportunities to take electives such as VR/AR Development for Games; Interactive Storytelling and Narrative; Game Art Pipeline; The Business of Games; and Game Lab: Team Projects (I-IV). GDD BA students can choose from seven concentrations, add any minor, and/or create their own double major. Concentration examples include Game Design; Management/Production; Programming; and Spatial Technology.
Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the BA program also provides opportunities to work in multidisciplinary teams (across concentrations) to create game prototypes, beginning in the sophomore year. Degree seeking students in all concentrations may participate in the QU in LA program, which consists of a semester-long internship in California. Past participating studios include Blizzard Entertainment, Electronic Arts (EA), and Meta.
Other program benefits include access to the state-of-the-art facilities such as the Center for Game Development (CGD), motion capture lab, eSports room at Rocky Top, and the new AR/VR space, lab, and lounge; the option to take courses in related areas such as Computer Science or Graphic and Interactive Design; and the culminating Senior Project and Seminar (capstone experience).
QU GDD graduates can be found at places such as Tencent Games, Blizzard Entertainment, Riot Games, Disney, Rockstar Games, Nickelodeon, Take-Two Interactive, Amazon, ESPN, Avalanche Studios Group, Sesame Street Workshop, Hi-Rez Studios, Bethesda, Floor 84 Studio (F84), and Cool Math Games.
The School of Fine Arts (SFA) at University of Connecticut (UConn) houses the Department of Digital Media Design (DMD). Program options include the liberal arts DMD BA; and DMD BFA and MFA degrees with a Game Design focus. Students in the flexible DMD BA program can take courses from other departments and focus areas; add a minor; complete a double major; or customize a dual degree. Formal concentrations for the program include Digital Culture and Digital Media Business Strategies. Both concentrations consist of courses such as Introduction to Digital Game Design; Motion and Design Animation; Game Design; 3D Animation; Web/Interactive Media Design; and Film and Video Editing.
All programs highlight collaborative, hands-on projects; access to state-of-the-art production facilities such as the VR/Gaming Studio, Cintiq Lab, and Motion Capture Studio; co-ops and internships at places such as Pixar, Adobe, HBO, Disney, and ESPN; mentoring by visiting artists; and participation in the Gaming and Game Development Clubs. DMD MFA students also have the option to apply to the DMD Departmental Teaching Assistantship or work as a Graduate Assistant with the interdisciplinary research unit known as Greenhouse Studios.
The culminating experience for the DMD BA is the Senior Thesis, worth six credits. DMD BFA students will complete the Senior Project and participate in the BFA Senior Exhibition to graduate. The DMD MFA culminates with the MFA Thesis Project and participation in the MFA Exhibition in the Benton Museum of Art.
UConn DMD alumni have been hired at places such as Epic Games, LEGO, Pixar, Google, NBCUniversal, HBO, Adobe, Owlchemy Labs, Deck Nine Games, ESPN, Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE), Madison Square Garden, Bit Fry Game Studios, IBM, Worldwalker Games, NBC Sports, PreviewLabs, and Verizon.
The School of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Sacred Heart University (SHU) houses a Game Design and Development BS (GDD BS) that focuses on areas such as programming, 3D modeling, software engineering, and virtual reality. Electives such as Mobile Game Development; Screenwriting; Digital Audio Production; and Human Computer Interaction allow students to broaden their skills. Students also have the option to choose a Computer Science (CS)/GDD double major or minor in an area such as Business or Cybersecurity through the Jack Welch College of Business and Technology.
Other program highlights include team-based projects; access to the state-of-the-art Motion Capture Lab, NeXReality Lab, Artificial Intelligence Lab, and Digital Design Laboratory; real world internships; participation in the Global Game Jam, Pax East (Boston), GDEX (Midwest), and GCD (Germany), among others; study abroad experiences in places such as Japan, India, and Kenya; and the opportunity to create a playable game from start to finish.
The program culminates with the Senior Project course and presentation. Graduates of the CSE and GDD programs at Sacred Heart University can be found at places such as Warner Bros. Games, Microsoft, Oracle, RTX, MLB Network, ESPN, Hunch Studios, IBM, Fox Corporation, Dell, NBC Sports, and WWE.
