What are some of the specializations within this degree program?

• Artists: Artists grab inspiration from their surroundings to sketch storyboards for designers to provide an image of how to construct the product, whether it's a 2-D sketch or a 3-D design.
• Programmers: Programmers are software engineers who write the software of the game and put visuals, sounds, and ideas together as one piece. They convert the ideas of the game designers into a language familiar to computers.
• Sound designers: Sound designers provide the soundtrack to make the game more realistic and exciting. Through the insight of the game designers they receive an understanding of the mood the game inflicts upon the players.
• Testers: Testers search for glitches and errors in the game software before the games are shipped out to stores. When they encounter something wrong with the game they record the details to submit to the programmers for repairs.

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What degree levels are available?

• Associate Degree: 2 years to complete
• Bachelor's Degree: 2-4 years to complete
• Master's Degree: 2-3 years to complete
• Doctoral Degree: 3-5 years to complete

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What are the educational and certification requirements?

There are a variety of degrees that can prepare a student for a career in video game design. Degrees all the way through the master's level exist for game design majors. These programs include coursework in programming, graphic design, 3-D modeling, narrative development, interaction design, physics, and other specialized fields. Associate degrees in computer science, graphic design, or game design are available, although associate degree holders seeking entry-level employment will face stiff competition from bachelor's degree holders. As the technology associated with game production continues to advance, bachelor's degrees will become mandatory for entrance into the field.

The experience provided with one of these higher-level degrees allows potential employees to show their skills as individual designers outside of the training programs.  Computer science degrees at the bachelor's level take two to three years in addition to an associate degree, and when specialized towards video game design, these degrees include courses in programming, human interactions with game systems, and software development on multiple platforms. Graphic design programs at the bachelor's level feature multimedia and art courses that examine the graphics of software and their incorporation into multiple software forms.  Internships during or before a bachelor's degree program are popular, but since video game design is a competitive field, they are often hard to gain acceptance into. Students completing internships while going to school full time can expect to be overworked and stressed, in exchange for the chance to have their resumes at the top of the pile upon graduation.

Students interested in teaching or pursuing careers that combine technical know-how with management responsibility can pursue master's or doctorate degrees.  Master's degrees are more generalized than doctorate degrees, but both require independent research and dissertations that focus on a specific area of game design.  Educational careers in video game design do require doctoral degrees on average, but most advanced careers like management or senior development require a minimum of a master's degree in computer science or graphic design. There are no formal requirements for certification for video game designers with specializations in computer science, but some vendors do offer technical or professional certifications dependent upon their company procedures.

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What kinds of classes will I be expected to take?

Some call Java a blunt object of a programming language, and others call it a streamlined masterpiece. Whatever your opinion, there is no denying that it is everywhere. Game designers frequently study Java in their degree programs. If Java is not the current king of programming languages, then C++ almost certainly is. This language has immensely widespread use, and classes on it will be in almost any standard curriculum. Students will be introduced to its basic functions, and then as they practice learn more complicated applications of C++.

Virtual worlds don't make themselves, and as a student of Video Game Design you will learn to render 3-D objects. Most degree programs in game design will have a class introducing students to the programs and techniques necessary to make 3-D models and images for their games. One class entirely particular to video game design students that many courses of study feature is Level Design. A class like this will discuss everything from simple mazes to complex 3-D worlds with a critical eye towards building the challenges that players will later enjoy facing in each game.

Game development classes look not only at how games are designed, but at how a team of people works together in order to make a game better. What do the employees of Blizzard entertainment do before each new patch of World of Warcraft? In a game development class, the mysterious process of taking the good and making it superb will be taught to you.

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If I pursue this program online, will I be required to complete any on-site training?

Because this particular degree is so digitally based in nature, most online programs will not require on site training of participants. As with almost everything exceptions can be found, but you should not strongly expect a video game degree to require your physical presence.

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What are some other degrees that are related to this program?

Graphic design is an option that also utilizes a graphic design degree but instead focuses on general forms of multimedia and their application in different fields.  Graphic design is heavily dependent on technology, and it combines the usability of various software and programs to present visually appealing and informative products like websites, logos, typographies and other layouts.  Graphic design works with advertising and computer science based fields, as well as communications, and courses in all fields prepare employees for the collaborative work required.

Computer animation is often categorized under software publishing, but a career in this field specializes in creating 2-D and 3-D imagery that interact and appeal to viewers.  Computer animators work in movies, television, engineering and other fields in order to develop animations for scientific, educational, and entertainment purposes.  Unlike video game design, computer animators often work as freelance animators for large studios and can continue to pursue higher education through these studios.

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