Video Game Design Education: Curriculum by Career Path (Programmer, Designer, Artist, Audio)

No single "Game Design" major exists. Your classes depend on your target role. Here's a curriculum map by discipline:

1. Game Programmer (CS/Engineering Core)

• Languages: C++ (engine), C# (Unity), Java/Kotlin (Android), Python (tools), HLSL/GLSL (shaders).
• CS Fundamentals: Data Structures, Algorithms, Memory Management, Multithreading, Networking.
• Graphics: Linear Algebra, 3D Math, Rendering Pipeline, Compute Shaders, Ray Tracing.
• Engines: Unity (C#), Unreal (C++/Blueprints), Godot (GDScript/C#), Custom Engine Architecture.
• Physics/AI: Rigid Body Dynamics, NavMesh, Behavior Trees, Utility AI, ECS/DOTS.
• Audio/Input: DSP, Middleware (Wwise, FMOD), HID/Raw Input, XInput.

2. Game Designer (Systems + Communication)

• Core Design: Mechanics, Systems, Loops, Economies, Progression, Balance, UX/UI.
• Level/World Design: Spatial Design, Pacing, Signposting, Environmental Storytelling.
• Narrative: Branching Dialogue, Worldbuilding, Character Arcs, Interactive Storytelling.
• Tools: Unreal Blueprints, Unity ScriptableObjects, Excel/Google Sheets (data design), JIRA/Confluence.
• Psychology: Motivation (SDT), Habit Loops, Monetization Ethics, Accessibility.
• Prototyping: Game Jams, Paper Prototyping, Greyboxing, Playtest Methodology.

3. Game Artist (Visual Craft)

• 3D Pipeline: High/Low Poly Modeling (Maya/Blender/Max), Retopology, UV Unwrapping.
• Texturing: PBR Workflow (Substance Painter/Designer), Material Authoring, UDIMs.
• Rigging/Animation: Skeleton Setup, Skinning, Keyframe/Mocap, State Machines, Root Motion.
• Environment: Modular Kits, Terrain, Foliage, Lighting (Baked/Realtime), Post-Process.
• Concept Art: Thumbnailing, Iteration, Turnarounds, Mood Boards, Style Guides.
• Tech Art: Shaders, Procedural Tools (Houdini), Pipeline Automation, Performance Profiling.

4. Game Audio (Sound Design + Music)

• DAW Mastery: Reaper/Pro Tools/Ableton — editing, mixing, mastering.
• Field Recording: Mic Techniques, Foley, Ambisonics, Impulse Responses.
• Synthesis: Subtractive/FM/Granular (Serum, Vital, Reaktor).
• Implementation: Wwise / FMOD — Events, RTPCs, Switches, Music Systems, Profiling.
• Adaptive Music: Vertical Layering, Horizontal Re-sequencing, Stems/Stingers.

5. General / Production

• Agile/Scrum, JIRA, Hansoft, Perforce/Plastic SCM/Git LFS
• Production: Scheduling, Budgeting, Risk Management, Certification (TRC/XR/PC)
• QA: Test Plans, Regression, Automation, Compliance, Localization QA
• Business: Pitching, Publishing Contracts, Platform Requirements, Marketing Basics

Where to Learn (2024)

• University: USC Games, DigiPen, SMU Guildhall, RIT, Abertay, Breda (NL).
• Bootcamps: Game Institute, Vertex School, CG Spectrum (specialized, fast, $$$).
• Self-Taught (Free/Low Cost): Xbox ATG Samples, Unity Learn, Unreal Online Learning, GameDev.tv, Handmade Hero.

Essential Non-Class Actions

1. Ship 3+ Complete Games (scope: 1-week → 3-month → 6-month).
2. Portfolio/GitHub/Itch.io with playable builds + postmortems.
3. GDC Vault / YouTube (GDC, AI Summit, Technical Artist Bootcamp) — watch 1 talk/day.
4. Network: Local IGDA, Discord communities, Game Jams (Global Game Jam, Ludum Dare).