{ "college": "uc-irvine", "edition": "2026-2027", "departmentName": "Department of Informatics", "id": "department-of-informatics--gamedesignandinteractivemedia-bs", "name": "Game Design and Interactive Media", "award": "B.S.", "department": "department-of-informatics", "sourceUrl": "https://catalogue.uci.edu/donaldbrenschoolofinformationandcomputersciences/departmentofinformatics/gamedesignandinteractivemedia_bs/", "blocks": [ { "kind": "text", "markdown": "UCI’s Game Design and Interactive Media program prepares students to be innovative designers, developers, and industry leaders. Taught by internationally-recognized faculty and industry experts, the program’s unique two-year foundation includes hands-on courses in worldbuilding, game design and development, game programming, and game studies. Students then pursue advanced coursework that culminates in a two-quarter capstone project supported by industry mentors. Electives in advanced game design and development, programming, storytelling, games entrepreneurship, and the cultural aspects of games offer students the chance to build a portfolio that reflects their individual interests and career goals. The program explores both established and emerging platforms, including AR/VR, tabletop, and mobile. Located in Silicon Beach, our students benefit from access to industry partners like Blizzard, Riot, Electronic Arts, Obsidian Entertainment, Age of Learning, Disney, Tencent, and the Cartoon Network." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Admission\n\nFreshman Applicants: See the Undergraduate Admissions section.\n\n**Transfer Applicants:**\n\nAll applicants must have a cumulative UC transferable GPA of 3.0 and a minimum grade of B in one year of computer programming courses in a single object–language (Python, Java, or C++). It is recommended that students articulate to I&C SCI 31-33 which can be used to satisfy degree requirements. Introduction to computer science courses do not meet this requirement." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Requirements\n\n##### Major Requirements" }, { "kind": "courselist", "title": "Lower-division", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "Programming" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Select one of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 31", "title": "Introduction to Programming for Games", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "I&C SCI 31", "title": "Introduction to Programming", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Select one of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 32", "title": "Intermediate Programming for Games", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "I&C SCI 32", "title": "Programming with Software Libraries", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 33", "title": "Coding In Game Engines", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "Design" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "C. Complete:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 25", "title": "Game Design Fundamentals", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "D. Select one of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 27", "title": "Intermediate Game Design", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 61", "title": "Introduction to Game Development", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "Society" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "E. Select two of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 41", "title": "Games and Society", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 49", "title": "Special Topics in Games and Society", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "STATS 6", "title": "Introduction to Data Science", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "Worldbuilding" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "F. Select two of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 51", "title": "Visual Design Fundamentals", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 53", "title": "Roleplaying and Improvisational Play", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 55", "title": "Storytelling for Interactive Media", "indent": false } ] }, { "kind": "courselist", "title": "Upper-division", "rows": [ { "type": "comment", "text": "A. Complete one project track:" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "GDIM Capstone Track:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 167A", "title": "Capstone Game Project I", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 167B", "title": "Capstone Game Project II", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "Special Project Track" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 129", "title": "Special Topics: Project in Advanced Game Design (must be taken twice) 1", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "B. Select three of the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 127", "title": "Professional Studio/Practicum", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 129", "title": "Special Topics: Project in Advanced Game Design 1", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 131", "title": "Data Analytics for Interactive Media", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 161", "title": "Multiplayer Game Project", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 165", "title": "Games Entrepreneurship", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "IN4MATX 151", "title": "Project Management", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "Core Electives" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "C. Select an additional six courses from the following:" }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 49", "title": "Special Topics in Games and Society", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 127", "title": "Professional Studio/Practicum", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 129", "title": "Special Topics: Project in Advanced Game Design", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 139", "title": "Special Topics in Game Programming", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 149", "title": "Special Topics in Interactive Media Design", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 163", "title": "Solo Game Project", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "GDIM 165", "title": "Games Entrepreneurship", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "I&C SCI 33", "title": "Intermediate Programming", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "SWE 121", "title": "Software Design: Applications", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "IN4MATX 131", "title": "Human Computer Interaction", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "IN4MATX 132", "title": "Advanced Topics in Human-Computer Interaction", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "IN4MATX 133", "title": "User Interaction Software", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "IN4MATX 151", "title": "Project Management", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "IN4MATX 164", "title": "Children's Learning and Media", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "STATS 7", "title": "Basic Statistics", "indent": false }, { "type": "course", "code": "STATS 67", "title": "Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Computer Science", "indent": false }, { "type": "comment", "text": "Open Electives" }, { "type": "comment", "text": "D. Complete three elective courses from across the university (12 units)." }, { "type": "comment", "text": "E. Complete six upper-division elective courses from across the university (24 units)." } ] }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "1. Topics titles cannot be repeated. Topics titles may only be applied to one requirement section. The same topic title may not be applied elsewhere.\n2. Open electives may not overlap with major requirements." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Sample Program\n\n**Freshman**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| GDIM 31 | GDIM 25 | GDIM 27 or 61 |\n| GDIM 41, 49, or STATS 6 | GDIM 32 | WRITING 60 |\n| GDIM 51 | GDIM 55 or 55 | GE II |\n| WRITING 50 | GE II | GE VI |\n\n**Sophomore**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| GDIM 41, 49, or STATS 6 | GDIM Upper-Division B | GDIM Upper-Division B |\n| GDIM Upper-Division C* | GDIM Upper-Division C* | Open Elective** |\n| GE IV | GE IV | GE III |\n| GE VII | | |\n\n**Junior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| GDIM Upper-Division B | GDIM Upper-Division C* | GDIM Upper-Division C* |\n| GDIM Upper-Division C* | Open Elective** | Open Elective** |\n| GE III | Upper-Division Writing (Open Elective) | GE IV |\n\n**Senior**\n\n| Fall | Winter | Spring |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| GDIM 167A | GDIM 167B | GDIM Upper-Division C* |\n| Open Elective** | Open Elective** | Open Elective** |\n| Open Elective** | Open Elective** | GE VIII |\n\n**NOTES:**\n\n\\* Topics titles cannot be repeated. Topics titles may only be applied to one requirement section. The same topic title may not be applied elsewhere.\n\n\\*\\* Open electives may not overlap with major requirements.\n\n1. Students are advised that this sample program lists the minimum requirements; it is possible that students may have to take additional courses to prepare for required courses.\n2. The lower-division writing requirement must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter at UCI.\n3. This is only a sample plan. Students should consult with an academic counselor for options. Course offerings may be moved due to unforeseen circumstances.\n4. It is strongly recommended that students a) refer to the ICS Teaching Plan and b) meet with an academic advisor to create an academic plan tailored to meet their specific areas of interest." }, { "kind": "text", "markdown": "### Career Opportunities\n\nGames and interactive media technologies are evolving at a radical pace in ways that are transforming how we work, learn, and play. As such, a wide variety of careers and graduate programs are open to Game Design and Interactive Media (GDIM) graduates, including game development, interactive entertainment, creative technologies, educational and learning software, and more. Because of the strong technical underpinnings of the degree program, demand for our GDIM majors is strong. The majority find employment in the industry, whether at a major publisher, smaller studio or as self-employed freelancers. Many squarely focus on entertainment, others succeed in bringing their skills to the design and development of serious games in a variety of domains, including healthcare and education.\n\nOf course, many of our students also pursue a career or graduate school in game design, interactive media, computer science, or informatics after they complete the major." } ] }