RIT Announces Master's in Game Design and Development

Author: by Beth A.

The B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has announced that it is offering new specialized masters of science degrees in its efforts to meet the demands of the evolving computing industry. New York state recently approved degree programs in game design and development. Launching this fall, the game design and development master’s degree will accept up to 30 students a year. “What sets this master’s degree apart from other gaming programs offered is it focuses on the development and process of games in addition to their design,” says Andrew Phelps, director of game design and development in the Golisano College. Applicants will be required to submit a portfolio. Matriculated students will take a series of core courses in such areas as business, law, electronic entertainment, and history of games. Majors will be offered in game engine development and artificial intelligence for games. Students will also declare a minor in either art, design, or an area of computing that relates to gaming. For the past several years, the Golisano College has offered a gaming concentration at the undergraduate and graduate levels for information technology, computer science, and software engineering students. The master’s degree will allow RIT undergraduates to take courses at the upper level and offer graduate students a more in-depth experience. “We wanted to take a student’s undergraduate skills and integrate them into building games,” says Phelps. “Some of our alumni already work at the top-tier developers within the commercial gaming industry including Electronic Arts, Microsoft Game Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment of America and Linden Labs. This degree program will allow them and other game developers to further their education.” For more information, visit the Rochester Institute of Technology.