Game Design

Game Design students create compelling interactive experiences. Our students are storytellers, critics, artists, advocates and entrepreneurs.

Contact the Office of Admissions

One University Parkway High Point, NC 27268

Undergraduate Admissions Campus Map Faculty & Staff School of Communication

(800) 345-6993

(336) 841-9216

(336) 888-6382

[email protected]

Daily from 8:30am — 5:00pm.

Faculty and Staff

Stefan Hall

Chair and Professor, Game Design / Director of Communication Fellows

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-9567

Kristina Bell

Associate Professor of Game Design, Director of General Education

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-9334

Brian Heagney

Assistant Professor of Game Design

[email protected]

+1 (336) 841-9063

Students can choose to stay through the Summer to assist professors engaged in research. Previous research opportunities involved developing mobile applications for animals, researching UI design and developing virtual reality simulations for the Criminal Justice department.

Video Game Club: Students play and critique video games.
Game Development Club: Students engage in learning and teaching technical skills, develop video games, and hold game jams throughout the semester.

Course Requirements 2025/2026

Bachelor of Arts in Game Design

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	48
University Core Requirements	36-44
Electives	36-44
Total	128

Minor in Game Design

Minor Requirements	Credits
Course Requirements	20
Total	20

Requirements for B.A. in Game Design

Course	Course Title	Credits
COM 1110	Human Communication	4
COM 3390	Communication Law and Ethics	4
Major Core Requirements (28 credits)
GAM 1000	Introduction to Game Design	4
GAM 1111	AAA Game Development Tools	4
GAM 2252	Theory and Design of Games	4
GAM 3342	Theory and Criticism of Games	4
GAM 3352	Game Development	4
GAM 4492	Collaborative Game Design and Development	4
GAM 4493	Game Publishing, Promotion, and Portfolio	4
Select 12 credits from the following list of course electives:
GAM 1112	Indie Game Development Tools	4
GAM 2222	Games and Society	4
GAM 2272	Games Industries and Organizations	4
GAM 2282	Players, Gamers, and Game Cultures	4
GAM 2881, 4881	Special Topics	1-4
GAM 3000	Game-Based Workshop	1-2
GAM 3302	Narrative and Interactive Fiction	4
GAM 3312	Principles and Practices of Interactivity	4
GAM 3332	Animation for Video Games	4
GAM 3333	Meaningful Game Design Studio	4
GAM 3362	Puzzle, Obstacle, and Level Design	4
GAM 3372	Games and Identity	4
GAM 3432	Character Design	4
GAM 3442	User-Interface Design	4
GAM 3811	Game-Based Travel Study	4
GAM 4412	Digital Game Prototyping	4
GAM 4432	3D Modeling for Video Games	4
GAM 4444	Independent Study	4
GAM 4811	Internship	4
Course Descriptions

Requirements for Minor in Game Design

Course	Course Title	Credits
GAM 2252	Theory and Design of Games	4
Select 16 credits from the following list. At least 8 credits must be at the 3000 level or above.
GAM 1000	Introduction to Game Design	4
GAM 1111	AAA Game Development Tools	4
GAM 1112	Indie Game Development Tools	4
GAM 2222	Games and Society	4
GAM 2272	Games Industries and Organizations	4
GAM 2282	Players, Gamers, and Game Cultures	4
GAM 2881, 4881	Special Topics	1-4
GAM 3302	Narrative and Interactive Fiction	4
GAM 3312	Principles and Practices of Interactivity	4
GAM 3332	Animation for Video Games	4
GAM 3333	Meaningful Game Design Studio	4
GAM 3342	Theory and Criticism of Games	4
GAM 3352	Game Development	4
GAM 3362	Puzzle, Obstacle, and Level Design	4
GAM 3372	Games and Identity	4
GAM 3432	Character Design	4
GAM 3442	User-Interface Design	4
GAM 3811	Game-Based Travel Study	4
GAM 4412	Digital Game Prototyping	4
GAM 4432	3D Modeling for Video Games	4
GAM 4492	Collaborative Game Design and Development	4
GAM 4493	Game Publishing, Promotion, and Portfolio	4
GAM 4810-4816	Internship	4
Course Descriptions

Career Opportunities

Game Design students create compelling interactive experiences. Our students are storytellers, critics, artists, advocates and entrepreneurs. Most students are technologically adept and artistically inclined, but above all else they enjoy playing, making and modifying games. Graduates find employment in the commercial game industry and the rapidly expanding market for serious game development and are equipped to be game journalists, testers, designers, marketers and writers.

High Point University alumni are working in advertising and public relations agencies, radio and television stations and are producing corporate and theatrical media throughout the nation. A number of our graduates have gone on to earn Ph.D.s in communication and other fields, while others have chosen to attend graduate and law school. Other careers open through this major include:

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Quality Assurance in all fields
Producer
Level Design
Game Journalism
Marketing
Writing and Narrative Design
Visual Communication
User-Interface and User-Experience Design
3D Modeling and Animation
Wayfinding and Architectural Design
Rapid Prototyping and Concept Design

Student Outcomes

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Jacob Drew, Class of 2025 Hometown: High Point, North Carolina Major: Media Production and…

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Mary Purcell

HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

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READ MORE INTERNSHIP PROFILES Name: Destiny Plaskett Hometown: Mcleansville, North Carolina Year: Class of 2024 Major: Game design Internship: Plaskett interned with Triangle Esports Academy in Cary, North Carolina. In…

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Alexandra Vaughn

With another successful commencement behind us, High Point University seniors have kicked-off prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law,…

Read full story

Quality Assurance in all fields
Producer
Level Design
Game Journalism
Marketing
Writing and Narrative Design
Visual Communication
User-Interface and User-Experience Design
3D Modeling and Animation
Wayfinding and Architectural Design
Rapid Prototyping and Concept Design

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Study Abroad

At High Point University, our emphasis on global perspectives is designed to provide students with opportunities to enhance their international awareness and to develop their cross-cultural communication skills. Study abroad is strongly encouraged as a part of this emphasis on global studies. With a variety of extraordinary options at some of the most prestigious universities in the world, students at High Point University are encouraged to study abroad as early as the summer after their freshman year. Employers are looking for more than just a degree; they want well-rounded individuals who have familiarity with diverse cultures, special skills, and knowledge of the world around them.

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