You are unbeatable when playing video and computer games. Now learn to be a pro at creating them.
Among the best.
- Founded in 2003, the Simulation and Game Design program is the oldest and largest game design program in Maryland, with over 150 students spanning two campuses—UB and UB at the Universities at Shady Grove.
- Our hybrid Simulation and Game Design program was ranked by AffordableColleges.com as the third most affordable online bachelor's program in game design of 2018.
- UB was ranked among the nation's top 25 public game design schools and colleges of 2017 by Animation Career Review .
What you'll study:
- applied game design theory
- the fundamentals of computer programming
- 3-D modeling and animation
- usability design
- the application of simulation to education and other nonentertainment fields
- design of multiplayer games.
The coursework can help prepare you for graduate study or a career in information technology and computer science, as well as business and visual design.
How the program works:
To enhance your skills in a specific area of specialization, you'll choose from one of two content areas:
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Technical Art: If you want to build your skill sets with 3-D modeling and animation and with integrating them into game engines, this track prepares you to become a technical artist who works with programmers and artists. The track focuses on higher-level 3-D skills and requires visual artistic talent.
- Coding and Development: This area of specialization is ideal for you if you want to improve your scripting and logic in preparation for a career as a game developer, turning ideas into functional videogames and simulations. Whether you have a ton of ideas that you do not yet have the coding skills to implement, or are an advanced coder who wants to take your skills to the next level, our program will help you advance your capabilities and make you an asset to your team.
Through dual capstone seminars, you'll work closely with professionals to test and build games and simulations, and you'll graduate with a portfolio of projects to showcase your skills.
CAPSTONE PROJECTS
Check out these previews of some of the videogames created by our students...
"Horrific Halls" created by Nathan Dupree, Gary Keeler, Adam Mizell, Chris Rizzo and Reeve Watts during the spring 2018 senior capstone course.
"Demolition Force," created by Russell Allen, Dylan Semititsky, Samuel Silverman, Steven Stores and Chau Tran during the spring 2017 senior capstone course. Learn more at http://psykickstudios.com/.
"Desert Defenders," created by Shamarke Alisalad, Brandon Belman, Clayton Brown, Jillian Walker and Kai Wu during the spring 2016 senior capstone course.
UB GAMELAB
The
UB GameLab is an educational research facility equipped with immersive, visualization and interactive game technologies. The lab is designed to support interdisciplinary research in games and media, and is an ideal training ground for Simulation and Game Design students. To learn more and see student work, visit the UB GameLab Blog.
OUR GRADUATES
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Danielle Stewart, B.S. '16
"The most important lesson I learned at UB was to always question, not just accept that what someone said was true or that a situation couldn't be changed. Even with my professors, it was okay to disagree and tell them why. Learning to express my opinion has made me more of a leader instead of someone who just sits back and lets things happen."
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brad fisher, B.S. '14
game designer, Big Huge Games
"My job in the gaming industry came about from working in my professor's indie company while I was in school. My professor was an industry veteran and put me in contact with the right people to find a full-time position."