Best Online Bachelor’s of Game Design Degree Programs for 2025

Game Design: A Winning Online Degree and Career Choice

There’s no better time than now to look into online bachelor’s in game design degree programs! The video game industry is on a growth surge, thanks to the increase in social and casual gaming during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, the enduring popularity of video games is attributed to their attractive entertainment value.

It should be noted that many schools offer two tracks to a bachelor’s degree in game design: game designers with technical skills, like programming and sound design, and game media artists and animators. It is typical for programmers to pursue a bachelor’s of science degree (BS) in game design, while media artists and animators usually pursue a bachelor of arts degree (BA).

Graduates of either degree track hold a crucial role in the game design development process.

No matter which degree track you choose, a bachelor’s in game design degree from the best online programs can be an excellent ticket to a well-paying game design and development job!

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), game designers who pursue an art or animation track, earn a median annual salary of $78,790 (May 2021), nearly double the median annual wage for all occupations, with the highest earners getting $131,000+ per year.

The BLS reports that game design programmers earn about the same median annual salary, but the predicted job growth rate over the next decade is expected to be an astounding 23%, compared to just 5% for artists and animators.

Roles and Responsibilities Students Prepare For

Students in online bachelor’s in game design programs prepare for the exciting and challenging work of game design and game development. The extensive preparation starts with general education courses followed by advanced courses such as programming languages, computer graphics programming, digital illustration, sound design, interactive animation, and graphic design. Internships are common, too.

With their online education and hands-on training, professional game designers create the characters, stories, and settings as well as the game mechanics and rules for video games. The use of computer programming languages including writing code and testing early versions are also part of their job.

Game designers may also have the following responsibilities:

• Promote new game ideas to company executives and third-party clients
• Manage multiple game projects in progress and their teams
• Keep up with good practices and trends in the gaming industry
• Monitor cash flows and other aspects of game production
• Perform quality control measures

Indeed, game design and development has its extreme challenges, from long hours at work to demanding clients! Game design students prepare for these challenges during their studies in these online programs.

Among their preparations are earning certifications in computer programming languages and building their portfolio of sample projects. Both can be achieved while in a bachelor’s in game design program, too. These aspects are embedded in the game design curriculum.

Aspiring video game designers can also strengthen their online learning by joining professional organizations. The International Game Developers Association (IGDA) and the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences (AIAS) are great examples.

Hard and Soft Skills Learned as Students

Aspiring professionals in game design and game development must engage in continuous skills development! The key hard skills that will be learned in an online bachelor’s in game design program are:

• Programming languages like C++ and C#
• Software development skills
• Mathematical reasoning and analytical thinking skills

Video game designers and developers must also possess soft skills that make them more productive on the job including:

• Collaboration skills: necessary because video game design and development requires working in teams
• Communication skills: a must for successful collaborations between several professionals, from executives to clients
• Creativity: a vital skill, since game designers should be excellent storytellers

Software Used in Game Design and Development

Effective game design requires the use of computers and their software, including but not limited to:

• Game engine, such as Unreal Engine and Unity 3D
• Google Office or Microsoft Office
• Art software, such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop
• Scripting and programming languages and tools, such as C#, Python and Unreal Script
• Jira and Bug tracking apps

The best online bachelor’s degree in game design program provides students with the software. Many even provide free laptops with embedded software or provide students with affordable payment plans.

Students can also choose from concentrations in game design. Game art, mobile game design, and animation are popular. Prospective students are usually required to present a portfolio of works.