B.F.A. in Digital Game Design and Development

The game industry is expanding rapidly, surpassing  $108 billion in yearly revenue . There are currently over  65,000 people employed  in the games industry in the United States.  At LIU Post’s Digital Game Design and Development program, students will master highly versatile and in-demand skills across all areas of game development.

The Digital Game Design and Development program at LIU Post offers a project-based curriculum that allows students to develop the skills needed to create video games in a professional environment including game design, computer programming, and visual design. The program focuses heavily on game creation. During their time at LIU Post, students work on several solo and group projects, giving them a chance to develop a broad range of game-creation skills. Before graduating, students complete a capstone thesis project that can be used as a portfolio piece on a job application or as an independent commercial project.

This rigorous program prepares students for a career in the game industry as well as other related industries such as mobile application development, advertising, and user experience design. LIU Post’s proximity to New York City’s vibrant commercial and artistic communities provides students with opportunities to interact with important figures in the game industry and helps them develop career opportunities.

Key program features:

• Game Industry Expert Faculty:  Led by world-renowned game designer Nicholas Fortugno, creator of several genre-defining and award-winning games, including the downloadable blockbuster Diner Dash, the critical serious game Ayit: The Cost of Life, and several notable games with partners including AMC television, Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Pro Publica, the World Bank, Disney, the Red Cross/Crescent, HBO, and the American Museum of Natural History.
  
  

• Digital Games Lab: Classes are taught in a suite of networked Apple Macintosh Computer Labs with industry standard design and development software. The Labs feature high-definition projection for instruction, popular game consoles, large format color printers, virtual reality gear, and related peripheral technology.
  
  

• Instructional Approach:  Collaborative environment modeled after real-world game studios that teaches the art of teamwork while students master game development expertise. Students get their hands dirty right away and learn the craft of making games by actually making games.
  
  
• Experiential Learning:  Students have easy access to New York City and the vibrant game development community there, including renowned game studios such as Rockstar Games, Avalanche Studios, Dots, and MLB Advanced Media. Students also have access to the on-campus LIU Post Student Innovation Incubator, a physical and virtual workspace for students to launch startup businesses and collaborate with successful entrepreneurs.