How Do I Get Involved in the Video Game Industry?

When it comes to creating video games it is all about training in their design. This will allow you to be involved from the first concept designs, to the final edits that will tie the whole plot together. With a video game designer degree, you will be able to learn first hand how to become an asset in the creation of games that will sell in the millions.

What is a Video Game Designer Degree?

This is a degree that teaches you all the elements you need to begin creating your own video games for companies like EA, Blizzard, or Playstation. They will touch on a number of needs, such as the development of concepts for games, the animation needed to bring them to life, software and programming, and other classes within the degree as a whole.

How Much Can I Make With a Video Game Designer Degree?

This will depend on who you work for, and how popular of a seller the games you develop are. However, the average median salary for a person with this degree is $72,000 a year. This increases with the design and sale of more demanded games. For example, games within the Grand Theft Auto series sell in the hundreds of millions of copies.

If you are looking to get involved in this exciting industry, you don’t have to wait. You can get enrolled in an online video game designer degree program now, and start living your dreams.

For any career as a video game designer, you would need to earn a game degree which would take you from two to four years to complete.  Before you take up game degree program, you would be better off learning the basics of video game design. ITT technical institute, for one, offers video design programs which prepare you with the skills required for a career as a video game designer. After having gone through the basic schooling, you may consider gaining some experience in the field. While you work as a video game designer, you may go for a higher qualification in earning a game degree from the accredited colleges and universities offering online degree programs.

Online game degree programs help you to study and work at the same time. It is always an advantage to gain more and more experience in the practical game designing field so that, after you have earned your game degree you get a better opportunity in advancing your career. There are several career opportunities which require extensive experience the industry. In order to find the right direction to your career, you would need to be familiar with the various game design companies, and you should have the knowledge of what they do.

A Bachelor’s degree in video game design from a university offering accredited online degree programs will help you get established and take part in the explosive growth of the video game industry. Earning a degree online in video game design would mean that you have qualified yourself for a career in the relevant field, and not only that, you have also gained practical experience in the field while earning your degree. Prior experience is of immense value to any career advancement.

Source: Online Degree Universities

There are several colleges and universities in the United States which offer on-site and online game design degree covering several aspects in game design and development. What you will need to do is to look for the top ten listings for video game design degrees related to different game industries. As a first step in going for a game degree, you would need to look at the game industry business scene which will help you to choose the right game degree for the career you are looking for. If you search the Internet you would find several of video game business analysis reports which would provide you with a good idea of the types of jobs available in the industry, and what skills the industries are looking for.

The Devry University is one of the recognized schools which has strong online game design degree programs, and offers on-site study facilities as well. The university offers video game development, software design, animation design, and as you earn your game degree you learn the fundamental science and technology which go into game designing. The university offers Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design and Development, which covers Graphic and Multimedia Design, Graphics and Multimedia Management, Web Design and Development, and Web Game Programming.

ITT International offers Bachelor’s degree in visual entertainment and game design, while the Westwood College focuses on software development with special emphasis on design and development, covering different aspects of video game development like 3-D and web game programming. The college offers online game degree programs for those who are working, and also on campus study at 17 campuses in 6 states. The online degree program is uniquely career-focused as you earn your Bachelor’s degree in game design in a span of three years.

If you want to take a career in video game programming, the Bs in Game and Simulation Programming offered at DeVry University Online is a course that will prepare you for that career path. While the course will equip you with the skills required to join the public and private sector of the game software Industry as a Video Game Developer, you can also assume other roles such as software engineer, video programming and project coordinator.

The cutting-edge, applications-focused curriculum will equip you with video game programming fundamentals, game designing and modifications and 2D and 2D graphics programming. Well, upon graduation as a fully fledged video game developer, one will be responsible (as a business entity or an individual) for developing software that will be used to create video games.

A video Game Developer can develop games for various systems such as PCs, or specialize in a particular video game console like Nintendo’s Wii, Microsoft’s Xbox 360, or Sony’s PlayStation 3. Some other Video Game Developers can opt to specialize in particular types of games like first-person shooters, or computer role-playing games.

Other roles of a video Game Developer include transporting games from a particular system to another or game translation from one language to another. There are three main categories that a Video Game Developer will fall into: in house developer, third-party developer or independent developer.

A video game developer can be of any age for an Institution like DeVry University Online admits students who are as young as 17 years of age, as long as someone holds a HS diploma or its equivalent from a recognized institution.

• DeVry University was established in 1931 and began offering online programs 67 years later

• The university is accredited by the North Central Association

• DeVry runs more than 90 campuses twenty six US states as well as Canada

• Ninety per cent of DeVry graduates are employed in their field of training within half a year of graduating

• Online students are welcome to enrol in on-campus classes and on-campus students can accelerate their degree online

About DeVry Online:

DeVry University prides itself on a unique approach to student learning.

DeVry Online offers flexible degree options that allow any DeVry student to enrol in on-campus, online or combined course structures.
This acceleration opportunity (lectures and testing are available in a secure online environment at any time of the day or night) means that professional students can more easily adjust their study schedule to their lives. It also means that non-professional students can become more quickly qualified and join the numbers of DeVry graduates who are quickly employed after graduation.

DeVry expanded from one campus in Chicago in 1975 and now boasts almost a hundred campuses across the United States and Canada, as well as one huge campus located in cyberspace.

DeVry´s commitment to the digital space is reflected in its range of IT and Computing Degrees. They are particularly proud of the Bachelor of Science in Multimedia Design and Development and Bachelor’s Degree program in Game and Simulation Programming (GSP). The GSP is the only degree of its kind and equips students in the skills needed to do everything from design and develop games to reconstructing crime scenes using digital technology.

According to the official Devry College website, www.devry.edu, the video gaming industry generates revenue in excess of $10 billion each year, and the US Army alone plans to invest $100 million in training simulations over the next few years. If you want to be a part of this booming industry, you may consider a Bachelor of Game and Simulation Programming Degree.

Required Courses:

• Software Design
• Data Structures
• Programming Languages
• Programming Writing
• Operation Systems
• Computer Networks
• Systems Analysis
• Program Customization
• Testing and Troubleshooting

To be able to qualify and become a video game designer is first, the love of playing video games and second is to be able to acquire an Associate degree or even a Bachelor’s degree. But the main importance in this profession is how to gain technical experience with the technology used in creating video game animation and making your own portfolio of your original creations to show your future employers.

The salary of video game developers vary since the market is constantly evolving but some developers can even earn as much as $300,000 a year but some may earn as low as $10,000. Schools that offer Online Gaming Degree are ITT Technical Institute and Westwood College – Online Campus

• Full Sail College founded in 1979
• Premiere music, entertainment and media arts university
• Full Sail is located in Orlando, FL
• Full Sail College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology
• Full Sail College is recognized for innovative programs by Rolling Stone, Shift Magazine, Electronic Gaming Monthly
• Named “School/College of the Year” by the Florida Association of Post-secondary Schools & Colleges

Full Sail College began 30 years ago and has garnered a reputation as one of the premier media arts schools in the world. Full Sail College offers many degree programs if you want to pursue a career in music, film, video games, design, animation and entertainment business. Throughout the entertainment industry. Full Sail College is located in Orlando, Florida. The school serves more than 6,000 students from all over the world and students come to the U.S. campus from many countries such as Brazil, Kenya, Canada, Japan and India. Full Sail graduates have found rewarding careers in film, acclaimed video games and design projects, live productions and many more exciting positions in the entertainment industry.

Full Sail College Online Degree Programs

Students can choose from 13 Master’s, Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees through Full Sail’s campus and online programs. Full Sail offers degrees in Computer Animation, Digital Arts and Design, Game Art, Game Development, Web Design and many others. Full Sail College Online will help students build a portfolio to help them launch their career. Students can enroll in courses anytime and a typical degree takes less than 2 years to complete.

If you’re interested in creating video games for a living, Full Sail can get you started with innovative courses. Many Full Sail graduates have gone on to help make some of the most popular and top selling video games such as 2007 Madden NFL 08, NASCAR 08, The Godfather, Quake IV, Call of Duty 4, Rainbow Six: Lockdown, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘08. Full Sail also lets you come back and take any course within your degree for free if you need to brush up on your skills.

Full Sail College Online Tuition & Financial Aid

Depends on degree. Bachelor of Science ranges from $386 -$ 549 Master of Science ranges from $583 to $737. All books and lab fees are included in tuition.

Financial Aid available for eligible students.

Full Sail College Online Degrees

Master’s Degree

• Education Media Design & Technology
• Entertainment Business
• Internet Marketing

Bachelor Degrees

• Entertainment Business
• Internet Marketing
• Computer Animation
• Digital Arts & Design
• Education Media Design & Technology
• Internet Marketing
• Game Art
• Game Design
• Game Development
• Graphic Design & Development
• Graphic Design
• Media Design
• Web Design & Development

• Bellevue University was founded in 1965 in Bellevue, Nebraska
• Bellevue University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
• Bellevue University was one of the first accredited institutions of higher learning to offer online degree programs
• Bellevue University has grown to encompass additional campuses in several states

Bellevue University Reviews – About Bellevue University

Bellevue University’s mission is to provide distinctive professional, business, information technology and liberal arts education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Bellevue University offers traditional four-year Bachelor degree programs, a “leading-edge” three-year Bachelor degree program (combining classroom and online learning, work experience), a Bachelor degree completion program and Master degree programs in a wide variety of interests and pursuits.

Bellevue University offers students a choice of pursuing traditional on-campus education or pursuing online education through the “Cyber-Active” Learning Program. Students can attend class, meet with other students, discuss lessons with instructors, complete assignments and conduct research all online and on their own schedules. Using the online education approach, busy adults can earn their degrees and advance or change careers while still having the time to maintain full-time employment and family commitments.

Within Bellevue University’s online program, certain degree programs angled to students interested in pursuing a degree in the game design industry are offered. Bellevue University offers Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees such as Computer Information Systems, Gaming & Simulation, Information Technology, Management of Information Systems, Software Development, Systems and Network Administrative Programs and Web Technologies among others. These programs can launch students into the ever-growing and ever-changing game technology industry at a designer, programmer, networker or management level.

Bellevue University Reviews – Online Degree Programs

• BS Computer Information Systems
• BS Gaming & Simulation
• BS Information Technology
• BS Management of Information Systems (Accelerated)
• BS Software Development
• BS Systems & Network Administrative Program
• BS Web Technologies
• MS Computer Information Systems
• MS Management of Information Systems

Bellevue University Reviews – Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition is very affordable with undergraduate online tuition at $330 per credit hour; and Graduate online tuition at $405 per credit hour. Bellevue University takes part in or administers all federal and state grant and loan programs, scholarships, deferred payment, corporate tuition assistance, military tuition assistance, veteran’s benefits, tuition reimbursement and other financial aid options. The Office of Financial Aid/Veteran’s Services is available to help guide students through the process and applications can be done completely online.

• Collins College Arizona was founded by Al Collins as the Graphic Design School in 1978, situated in Phoenix, Arizona
• Collins College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT)
• Offers both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in media, design, or technology
• Students may choose from School of Interactive Media, School of Visual Arts and Design, or School of Film, Video and Visual FX

Collins College Arizona has three schools with detailed degree programs:

• School of Interactive Media – designed for students seeking careers in Game Design
• The School of Visual Arts & Design – designed for students seeking careers in Graphic Design, Interior Design and Game Design
• The School of Film, Video and Visual FX – designed for students seeking careers in Video Editing, Motion Graphics, Cinematography, and Film and Television Production; the new Film and Video Center gives students the opportunity to learn in an environment modeled after a professional film studio

Collins College AZ Online provides ten reasons to attend and earn your degree:

• Convenient locations
• Award winning student services department
• Career Services
• Internationally recognized film facility
• Campus WIFI access
• Tutoring
• Campus Clubs and Organizations
• Industry/Alumni speakers
• Scholarships
• Faculty

For those seeking careers in game design and development, Collins College Arizona offers game degree programs. Among the game degree programs Collins College Arizona offers are the following:

• BA in Game Design
• BA in Visual Art with Game Art Major

Collins College Arizona also offers the following related degree programs that will prove useful in a game degree career:

• AA in Graphic Design
• BA in Graphic Design

Tuition and Financial Aid

A financial plan to fit any student’s needs is available at Collins College Arizona. Financial plans at Collins College may include any of the following financial aid resources: scholarships, grants, federal loans, and work-study programs.