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Have you ever wondered how game mechanics actually work? Characters move, bosses attack, and entire levels spring to life, and it’s easy to chalk it up to the “magic” in the code. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to start programming games, our program takes you behind the scenes to show you what’s really making everything tick.


DigiPen has been ranked a top ranked video game design school by the Princeton Review for the last 16 years. DigiPen has been ranked a top ranked video game design school by the Princeton Review for the last 16 years.

Translating designs into workable code is critical to video game development — and that’s what the BS in Computer Science and Game Design is all about. Our four-year game development degree program teaches you how to become a game programmer with the mindset of a designer, and it starts with learning the foundations of C, C++, and other lower-level programming languages. Yearly game projects put your growing abilities to the test as you form multidisciplinary teams with students of various specialties. Your understanding of what game programming is will continue to sharpen while you forge your distinct path with a variety of design, mathematics, physics, and computer science courses.

By graduation, you will be skilled in connecting the creative world of design and the practical reality of implementing the code needed to craft great games, making you a critical part of any development team.”

Program Director Benjamin Ellinger

Benjamin Ellinger

Program Director

A Byte-Sized Program Breakdown

  • Hone Your Hybrid Skillset

    Designed for the programmer at heart with a keen sense of design, even if you are new to computer science.

  • Collaborate Across Disciplines

    Built around yearly game projects where your technical role on each team brings game designs to life.

  • Establish a Strong Foundation

    Prepares you to become a game developer with a focus on low-level coding in C/C++ and fundamental courses in design and mathematics.

  • Excel in Your Career Path

    Reflects the daily life of a game developer as you prepare for careers in gameplay programming, technical design, and more.

  • Invest in Your Future Career

    Guides you into relevant industries where regional computer programmers in Washington make an annual mean wage of $159,090.*

*Annual mean wage in Washington state as of May 2024. Source: www.bls.gov

Alumni. What Will Your Story Be?

Alumni Highlights

Turn your passion into your career.

No matter how you slice it, DigiPen graduates go far. Through our comprehensive courses and project-focused methodology, our graduates enter the industry ready to start programming games alongside a top-notch network of developers and creatives.

As a student, connect with top industry professionals through exclusive events hosted by Career Services.

  • Networking Mixers
  • Industry Company Days
  • Reverse Career Fairs
  • Internship Support
  • Course Audits for Alumni

Catch a glimpse of possible professions with this sample of entry-level game developer jobs our graduates have landed.

  • Software Engineer
  • Technical Designer
  • Gameplay Programmer
  • Systems Designer
  • AI Programmer

Our graduates shape the next generation of games and interactive media at major influential companies, close-knit indie studios, and their own passionate ventures.

  • CD PROJEKT RED company logo CD PROJEKT RED
  • Riot Games company logo Riot Games
  • Oculus VR company logo Oculus VR
  • Naughty Dog company logo Naughty Dog
  • Supergiant Games company logo Supergiant Games
  • Turn 10 Studios company logo Turn 10 Studios

A Growing Lasting Network

DigiPen students huddle together in a computer lab.
Students. What Will You Create?

Student Teams

Skills aren’t formed through books and lectures alone.

It’s a yearly endeavor — students collaborate and form teams to complete an original game from start to finish. Every member of the team brings a unique perspective to the game project, and your newfound expertise from your degree program can secure you a relevant role within your team.

Student game team brainstorm session in a DigiPen computer lab.

Focus Areas

Gameplay

Awaken the potential of your game’s world. Program game mechanics and user interfaces, like character behavior, interactive dialogue, and more.

Tools

Bridge the gap between the technical and the creative. Build tools like level editors to bolster your ideas and aid your designers.

Tap to Reveal

Academic Journey

First Year

Welcome to the program — let’s get familiar with C.

We’re starting with computer science basics, like Precalculus and Introduction to C++. Your freshman game project begins.

DigiPen student game Elemental Surge.

Second Year

Continue coding and experience your first design courses.

Game and technical design classes begin alongside advanced programming courses, all while you build an original game engine from scratch.

DigiPen student game Witch Hazel.

Third Year

Show off your skills with your capstone game project.

Assemble a team to create your biggest game project yet — and one that’ll headline your portfolio as you apply for jobs in the near future.

DigiPen student game Nitro Battle Racing.

Fourth Year

Tailor your final year to your desired career path.

With many options for your computer science, mathematics, and design electives, your fourth year sets the stage for increased flexibility.

DigiPen student game Knight Light.

Discover what programming languages and software are used for video game development.

  • C, C++, C# logos C, C++, C#
  • Git logo Git
  • Visual Studio logo Visual Studio
  • Python logo Python
  • SQL logo SQL - Structured Query Language
  • Unity logo Unity
  • Unreal logo Unreal

Our students are passionate, and our game team interviews bring their development stories to the forefront.

A small selection of fundamental courses included within all our computer science degree programs.

  • CS 120 High-Level Programming I
  • CS 230 Game Implementation Techniques
  • MAT 140 Linear Algebra and Geometry

Sample Course Sequence

Our instructors come from rich and diverse backgrounds, and these are just some of the companies they’ve made their mark on.

  • Nintendo Software Technology
  • Xbox Game Studios
  • Wizards of the Coast
  • Amazon
  • Lucasfilm Games
  • Electronic Arts
  • Zynga
  • Crystal Dynamics
  • Wargaming
  • Bungie

Take Your Next Steps With DigiPen

Pursue your educational dreams and start planning your future as a Dragon!