Online game design degrees allow students to earn their degrees from their own home at their own computer with a working internet connection. Students can access their coursework through an online portal, submit assignments, take exams, and participate in classroom discussions, and more.

Online game design degree programs include courses in:

• Programming and implementation
• Animation for gaming
• Preproduction
• Interactive programming design
• Logic and problem solving skills
• Game play and level design

Online game design degrees focus on several aspects of the game itself. Graduates from this degree program can go one to one special part of game design, from scenery, to 2D or 3D animation, props, programming, directing and script creation.

Students can find a variety of careers after earning a game design degree. Salaries can range from $25,000 per year to over $100,000 per year depending on the position and involvement in the design of a game. There are a number of independent game designers that are making a lot of money from distributing games to some major game consoles for downloading.

If you love video games and want to get in on the action, consider an online game design degree.

Computer animation colleges offer both on-campus and online classes. If you want to finish a degree from one of these computer animation colleges without spending a lot of money, we recommend choosing an online degree. Not only will you be able to save money, you will also enjoy convenience that other students will not.

Computer animation colleges offer different levels of education for their students. Most of these colleges have bachelors degree in animation. Others also offer graduate programs for those who wish to specialize in a certain aspect of animation. Some of the courses that you will study if you enroll in one of these computer animation colleges are  3D Animation, 3D modeling, Character Design, Storyboard Creation, Game Animation, and many others.

Aside from offering you valuable skills in animation, these computer animation schools also help you in your future career. Throughout your studies, your school will help you create a portfolio. This portfolio is what will help you land a great position in a big film studio. It can also help you find funds for your independent film projects if you do not wish to be tied in with one company.

In terms of salary, graduating from these computer animation schools will certainly give you a very comfortable lifestyle. Depending on your position, you can earn an average of $61,000 a year. Of course, you stand to earn more if you work hard and work for a big studio.

Where can I get into Game Design Careers?

There are plenty of schools, both online and on campus, that are dedicated to video game design. This degree will include learning programming, concept creation, idea adaption, modern gaming trends, animation, logical problem solving, and more. All of this will prepare you to enter the world of video game design, which is a highly competitive – but profitable – field.

How Much can I Earn with Game Design Careers?

According to a national survey, there is a median wage of $73,000 for video game designers. But if you are lucky enough to get on board with a project that really takes off, you could be looking at wages in the hundreds of thousands. Games like the Grand Theft Auto series, or World of Warcraft, have been bought an enjoyed by millions of people. It is success like this that is possible with game design careers.

What to Expect

There is a myth that those in the video game industry go straight from living in their parent’s basement to making millions of dollars a year. The truth, however, is that many of the high level people in the industry, as well as the entry level technicians, have gotten their game programming degrees online.

In addition to the technical aspects of game design, such as software development, game programming degrees online will teach you skills in writing, graphic design, and art. Some programs will also require you to take courses in management, and other business related topics. Numerous colleges, universities, art schools and technical institutes, are starting to offer these programs online.

Career and Salary Potential

The number of graduates that have earned their game programming degrees online is staggering. The industry is booming! The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that software publishing will be the third-fastest growing industry over the next decade. As a designer, you will play a vital role to video game companies. You will provide the creative vision, including game storylines, graphic design, and game interface.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track video game designer salaries, but as with all industries, the higher your education and experience level, the higher the pay.  A survey conducted showed designers who have an accredited degree can expect to earn an average of $73,000 depending on their expertise.

If video games are your passion, join the ranks earning their game programming degrees online. With the number of programs available, you can complete your degree with minimal disruption to your current work and family commitments.

This is a career based around the testing of video games for quality control and feedback. A video game tester will sit down with a game and try to beat it all the way through. They will look out for any glitches, give impressions of the game, and mark out the difficulty levels. This is crucial for the gaming industry, especially now that graphic advancements are becoming more stagnant, and the quality of game play is the current focus.

How do I Get a Video Game Tester Career?

Contrary to popular belief, this is not usually a long-term career option for most. This is more like an entry job into the gaming industry. A lot of artists and designers, as well as coders, will hop on board with this position to start making their way up the corporate ladder into a cushier job later on.

How Much does a Video Game Tester Career Pay?

Not much. Someone with a video game tester career can expect to earn around $12 per hour, which is pretty low. The payoff is that you get to  play games. Who wouldn’t love to do that all day long for a paycheck?

What to Expect

Programs preparing you for video game careers are becoming more and more numerous. You can learn the basics of game design through a certificate degree program. However, more in-depth programs are available that will lead to an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in game design. Some colleges and universities now even have a masters program majoring in game design available on line.

While programs will vary depending on the university, usual instruction includes coursework in programming, logic and problem solving, prototyping, writing, and art. Beyond just learning about game graphics, you can learn about all the phases of game creation, from writing the design to marketing the final product. All courses are typically on line and require no campus visits.

Career and Salary Potential

Video game careers are thriving! The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that software publishing will be the third-fastest growing industry over the next decade. Earning a degree or certificate may open a variety of doors in the various video game careers. Some specific career paths include game programmer, artist, or analyst. Other positions include software tester or quality assurance specialist.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track video game designer salaries, but as with all industries, the higher your education and experience level, the higher the pay.  A survey conducted showed designers who have an associates or bachelors degree can expect to earn between $40,000 and $82,000 depending on their expertise.

If you enjoy video games and aspire to delve into one of the fast growing video game careers, earning your degree online can start you on the right path. With the number of programs available, you can complete your degree with minimal disruption to your current work and family commitments.

So what are careers in game design? How will you ensure that you get to have one of the top careers in game design? The primary thing that you can do is to study a game design degree online. There are many schools that offer game design programs through online or distance education. With their help, you can easily become one of the most qualified applicant to hold one of the top careers in game design today.

When you study game design, you can choose a level of education that fits you best. Some schools offer associate  and bachelor degrees in game design while others also have graduate programs. Enrolled in one of these programs, you will learn all about programming, animation for games, game play and level design, and other courses. As for career in game design, you can have your pick when you graduate.

Becoming a level programmer is one path that you can take for your career. With this position, you code the action of the game characters and other aspects of the game. Of course, you can also become a game designer. If you choose to be one, you will help create a game by writing storyboards and having input as to the looks and feel of the characters, the game environment, and others. Being a sound designer is also one of the top careers in game design that you can focus on. You will provide the sound effects and soundtrack of games. A degree in game design can help you become a game tester. With this job, you will play games for a living.

Then looking into obtaining a game design masters degree might be a good idea for you.

With the gaming industry booming each year, highly qualified game designers are highly sought after.

Even if you already have your bachelors degree in game design, earning a masters degree in game design will give you an edge in the ever-changing world of gaming. Gaming is constantly evolving as technology improves and the types of devices people use to play games changes.

If you’re working to earn a game design masters degree, you will not only study the art of designing a game, but also you will learn about advertising, Internet commerce, business communications, and entertainment business.
Game design masters degrees are relatively new — which is pretty obvious when you consider how long computer games have been around.

Because of that, programs are not as widely available as in other professions so the competition to get in is fierce.

Get to the next level today by beginning to search for a game design masters degree program now.

Potential employers will want to take an in-depth look at a candidate’s portfolio to ensure that they are hiring someone with highly developed animation skills and experience. Usually an animator will be taken on as an intern and after having shown his or her worth will be hired on as a full-time employee. This internship serves as a proving ground for the potential employee and is a time to show off his or her worth in small and big ways to their potential employer.

Jobs in the computer animation industry increase at the same rate as those in the entertainment industry. Salaries are difficult to estimate since employment can range from small firms to huge animating companies, however the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that an average salary for a computer animator was approximately $61,010 in the year 2007.

Obviously, the larger the company or project an animator is involved in, the larger the compensation. Computer animators can also decide to do freelance work and be sort of independent contractors. They are hired on for certain projects and once the project is completed, they are compensated and move along to another project. Obviously, this is a little riskier in terms of job stability but it also reduces boredom and feeling trapped in a job that isn’t right for the individual.

For those who decide to pursue computer animation college, there is plenty of opportunity in this ever changing field. As the demand for more sophisticated computer animation increases, so does the demand for those individuals who are skilled at making it happen. As such, the field of computer animation is an exciting and challenging way to earn a living.

Then maybe a degree in game design online is for you.

The video game industry continues to reach record levels each year as it  expands into new formats. Designing games for smart phones, for instance, has become a major segment of the industry in just the last few years. Jobs in the software field are expected to grow by an astounding 32 percent by 2016.

While being passionate about video game play is an important part of being a successful video game designer, it is just the first step in obtaining a job in the industry. It is also important to take part in a formal education. A degree in game design online gives you the necessary background, technical skills and foundation to get an interview. A well-constructed portfolio — something that will be completed when you earn degree in game design online — is another key to getting a job in the highly competitive video game design job market.

While earning a degree in game design online you will learn all aspects of game creation, from writing the program to marketing the final product.
You can earn a certificate in game design, or pursue an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree.

When you are done earning your degree in game design online, you will be ready to find a job in an industry in which the average annual salary is $73,000 a year.