Game Design and Interactive Media

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.

Admission

Freshman Applicants: See the Undergraduate Admissions section.

Transfer Applicants:

All 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.

Requirements

Major Requirements

Lower-division

Upper-division

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.
2. Open electives may not overlap with major requirements.

Sample Program

Freshman

Fall	Winter	Spring
GDIM 31	GDIM 25	GDIM 27 or 61
GDIM 41, 49, or STATS 6	GDIM 32	WRITING 60
GDIM 51	GDIM 55 or 55	GE II
WRITING 50	GE II	GE VI

Sophomore

Fall	Winter	Spring
GDIM 41, 49, or STATS 6	GDIM Upper-Division B	GDIM Upper-Division B
GDIM Upper-Division C*	GDIM Upper-Division C*	Open Elective**
GE IV	GE IV	GE III
GE VII

Junior

Fall	Winter	Spring
GDIM Upper-Division B	GDIM Upper-Division C*	GDIM Upper-Division C*
GDIM Upper-Division C*	Open Elective**	Open Elective**
GE III	Upper-Division Writing (Open Elective)	GE IV

Senior

Fall	Winter	Spring
GDIM 167A	GDIM 167B	GDIM Upper-Division C*
Open Elective**	Open Elective**	Open Elective**
Open Elective**	Open Elective**	GE VIII

NOTES:

* Topics titles cannot be repeated. Topics titles may only be applied to one requirement section. The same topic title may not be applied elsewhere.

** Open electives may not overlap with major requirements.

1. 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.
2. The lower-division writing requirement must be completed by the end of the seventh quarter at UCI.
3. This is only a sample plan. Students should consult with an academic counselor for options. Course offerings may be moved due to unforeseen circumstances.
4. 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.

Career Opportunities

Games 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.

Of 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.