Game Design and Development (BA)

Create games that truly matter with our Game Design and Development (GDD) program. Learn to design compelling video games, board games, and escape rooms that push the boundaries of gameplay and representation.

Develop vital skills in creativity, writing, visual design, critical thinking, and problem solving. Master the integration of programming and art to craft functional prototypes. Get ready to excel in the dynamic game industry, combining technical expertise with innovative creative vision.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:  

  • Learn from the Pros: Gain insights from faculty members with hands-on game design experience. Work closely with them to transform your initial prototypes into publishable games, enhancing your skills and portfolio.
  • Flexible Career Options: Tailor your degree to match your career goals with options like a Computer Science Minor, a Combination BA with English, or a Minor in User Experience Design. Explore diverse avenues in game design to fit your interests.
  • Teaching Pathway: Integrate Game Design with Teaching. Explore how game design can intersect with teaching through Laurier’s GDD with Teaching Option. Prepare for a career that blends education and game design - apply to the Teaching Option on OUAC.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Build and Showcase Your Portfolio: Develop a robust portfolio with project-focused courses, create and release games through coursework and student groups, and gain practical experience to impress potential employers.
  • Live and Learn: Join the game changers residence community. Immerse yourself in the Game Changers Residence Learning Community, where you’ll live and collaborate with fellow Game Design and Development students from day one.
  • Hands-On Opportunities: Engage in Community Service-Learning placements. Participate in game jams, research projects, and other experiential learning opportunities on campus and in the community to gain valuable experience and expand your professional network. 

Courses, Options and Pathways

First-Year Courses

  • Critical Play
  • Critical Game Design
  • Games as Art
  • Visual Design for Games
  • Playful Programming

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Design Thinking
  • Leadership Foundations
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • UX Strategy
  • The Engaged Citizen: Social and Environmental Justice 
  • Graphic Design Studio 
  • Leadership Foundations 

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Environmental Storytelling 
  • Web Game Design 
  • Ethics in Game Design
  • Escape Room and Puzzle Design
  • Business of Game Development 
  • Project Management
  • Solo Critical Game Development
  • Capstone in Critical Game Design

Options and Minors

These are a few of the many popular academic opportunities which allow you to dive deeper into your major area of study or broaden your knowledge:

  • Leadership Minor/Option
  • Psychology Minor
  • Computer Science Minor
  • Teaching Option
  • Politics & Public Policy Option 

Check out other options to enhance your degree

Combinations 

Expand your field of expertise by pairing your Game Design and Development BA with another BA program:  

  • Computer Science
  • Leadership
  • Youth and Children’s Studies
  • Health Studies
  • English
  • History
  • Human Rights
  • Indigenous Studies
  • Social and Environmental Justice 

Admissions

  • Format: full time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or May (spring term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • application or web game designer
  • educational/training game designer
  • escape room designer
  • junior design director
  • quality assurance analyst
  • game designer
  • game writer
  • game design consultant
  • indie game entrepreneur
  • project manager
  • simulation designer/developer
  • social media coordinator

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

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Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Global 2000 World University Ranking

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2023

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2023

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus is woven into the downtown core of the City of Brantford and is home to more than 3,000 students. Close to great walking and biking trails, you get the best of both worlds.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Chat with Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?