Student plays a VR game simulating a carpet ride

DePaul Games


Build the creative and technical foundation to lead in game development.

Ranked a Top School for Game Design by The Princeton Review


Whether you're designing interactive experiences, engineering real-time game systems, or developing for spatial computing, at DePaul, you'll collaborate on interdisciplinary teams, work alongside industry mentors, and publish games to commercial platforms—all in the heart of Chicago. 

DePaul Games is uniquely positioned in the Jarvis College of Computing and Digital Media, which houses three schools. The School of Design, School of Computing, and School of Cinematic Arts each offer dedicated programs at the undergraduate and graduate level for studying and creating games. Since these programs are all under the same roof, students work collaboratively—as artists, programmers, producers, writers, or sound designers—to master the iterative development process and create polished experiences.

Game Development Programs

Explore cross-disciplinary, nationally ranked undergraduate and graduate game programs that fit your interests. You'll graduate with the skills and experience you need to make an impact in the field.
Students sharing their games at a showcase

Game Design

<div class="ck-content"><p>Housed in the <a href="/school-of-design" target="_blank" title="School of Design">School of Design</a>, the game design programs train students to become storytellers, critical thinkers, entrepreneurs, and leaders in the field. They prepare creative visionaries to develop games for entertainment as well as socially, culturally, and emotionally impactful games.</p></div>

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BS Game Design
Create immersive worlds, characters and mechanics for interactive games and experiences.
BS Game Design
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MFA Game Design
Develop your unique design perspective and create games that are meaningful while building the skills to lead.
MFA Game Design
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Minor in Game Design
Supplement any degree with a minor that teaches you the core elements of games: design, development and programming, and animation and 3D modeling.
CDM Minors
monitors showing code on screen as a student programs a game

Game Programming

<div class="ck-content"><p>The <a href="/school-of-computing" target="_blank" title="School of Computing's">School of Computing's</a> game programming degrees are designed for those interested in game development programming at the highest level, including real-time computing and professional retooling.&nbsp;</p></div>

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BS Game Programming
Combine software development of core game systems such as game engine and graphics programming with the study of game design and production.
BS Game Programming
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MS Game Programming
Architect and implement a real-time game engine, apply advanced rendering techniques, and create large-scale software systems.
MS Game Programming
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BS Computer Science
Game Systems concentration
Learn the foundations of software development with a focus on core game systems such as game engine and graphics programming, game physics, artificial intelligence, and more.
BS Computer Science
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MS Software Engineering
Real-Time Software and Game Systems concentration
Learn the foundations of software development with a focus on real-time systems, including GPU programming, multithreaded development, network programming, and more.
MS Software Engineering
animation student drawing on a Cintiq

Game Art

<div class="ck-content"><p>Students studying game art, offered through the <a href="/school-of-cinematic-arts" target="_blank" title="School of Cinematic Arts">School of Cinematic Arts</a>, bring games to life through the creation of visual elements including characters, environment, and special effects.</p></div>

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BS Computer Science + Animation
Game Art Technical Director concentration
Get the education and skills you need to prepare you for a role as a Game Art Technical Director, serving as a bridge between the artists, designers, and programmers on game projects.
BS CS + Ani
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
BFA Animation
Game Art concentration
Receive in-depth instruction in the latest advanced game modeling and animation technology and practices, including motion capture, rigging, texturing, environment art, and digital sculpting.
BFA Animation
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
MA Animation
Technical Artist concentration
Equip yourself for a range of technical roles, from the complex jobs of riggers, next generation modelers and motion capture artists to the hybrid specialization of the Technical Artist, bridging art and engineering.
MA Animation
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Minor in Game Art
Animation Technical Director, Game Technical Director
Available to students in the BS Game Programming or BS Computer Science interested in specializing in 3D design and modeling.
CDM Minors

Beyond the Classroom

Study globally or work on projects for community clients. Attend industry conferences, network with peers, and showcase your work at festivals.  At DePaul, learning extends far beyond the classroom.
Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration

<div class="ck-content"><p>The center advances game development and interactive media through cutting-edge emerging technologies, professional studio space, and industry partnerships that fuel creativity and innovation.</p></div>

Jarvis Innovation Center game lab
Game Labs

<div class="ck-content"><p>CDM is home to several interdisciplinary research labs and creative spaces where students can gain hands-on experience developing and studying transformative games.</p></div>

student points to his game on a large screen as someone playtests it

Find Your Community

Compete in esports, visit game studios in Japan, or join student game organizations to connect with peers, expand your career, and build your network.
depaul_esports_square.jpgJoin Esports at DePaul
Study-Abroad-Japan-01-square.jpgStudy Abroad
Jarvis-Center-game.jpgExplore Student Organizations