Game Development and Interactive Design University of Southern California

Overview

The Game Development and Interactive Design programme at the University of Southern California offers a comprehensive professional education within the prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. This Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is designed to merge a robust liberal arts background with industry-specific knowledge and project-based collaborative work.

Students engage in a curriculum that balances creative vision with technical proficiency, preparing them for the evolving landscape of interactive entertainment. The degree requires a total of 128 units, with at least 56 units dedicated specifically to major-related coursework and professional development.

Undergraduate participants complete their pre-professional requirements through the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

Why Game Development and Interactive Design at the University of Southern California?

The programme is delivered by the world-renowned School of Cinematic Arts, providing students with access to elite facilities and a framework learned directly from the games industry. This unique environment fosters innovation through a blend of traditional cinematic storytelling and modern digital technology.

A distinctive feature of the teaching approach is the emphasis on collaborative, project-based learning. Students work in teams to mirror professional studio environments, gaining practical experience in developing interactive media from initial concept to final production.

The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing students to select major courses that align with their specific career goals. By integrating general education with high-level technical training, the institution ensures graduates are versatile and ready for leadership roles in the global media market.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 73260 per year
• National fee: USD 73260 per year
• Local fee: USD 73260 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Visions of Diversity in the Cinematic Arts
• Procedural Media
• C++ Programming
• Interactive Entertainment
• Game Development Principles
• User Research and Experience
• Business and Management of Games
• Game Design Workshop
• Intermediate Game Design and Production
• Character Development and Storytelling for Games
• Game Prototyping
• Character Development for 3-D Animation and Games
• 3-D Computer Animation
• Interface Design for Games
• User Research for Games
• Sound Design for Games
• Producing Interactive Projects
• Tabletop Game Mechanics Seminar
• Interactive Systems Design
• Tabletop Roleplaying Games
• Audio Expression
• Themed Entertainment Design
• Level Design Workshop
• Directing for Games and Interactive Media
• Augmenting Reality: Worldbuilding for Games and Spaces
• Designing Social Games
• Advanced Game Development
• Alternative Control Workshop
• Streaming Explorations: Games and Entertainment for Community
• Interactive Media Startup
• 3D Modeling, Animation, and Visual Effects
• Culture, Technology and Communications
• Transmedia Entertainment
• Critical Theory and Analysis of Games
• Anatomy of a Game
• Experimental Game Topics

Careers with Game Development and Interactive Design

Graduates are prepared for a wide range of roles within the interactive entertainment and games industry. The programme focuses on developing skills essential for professional success in game design, production, and digital media management.

The curriculum covers the business and management aspects of the sector, ensuring students understand the commercial realities of the industry. This prepares them for careers in established game studios, independent startups, and themed entertainment organisations.