Student working on their game design in Unreal Engine.Your Future in Game Studies and Design

Are you passionate about creating interactive worlds, crafting immersive stories, or analyzing how games influence our culture? A Bachelor of Science degree in Game Studies and Design (GMSD) at the University of North Texas provides the skills and experiences you need to launch a career in the ever-evolving games industry.

Pursuing this degree prepares you for careers in:

                                          • Game design and development
                                          • Game scripting and narrative design
                                          • Game criticism and journalism
                                          • Interactive storytelling
                                          • Cultural analysis and research
                                          • Creative writing for interactive media

Within this interdisciplinary major, you’ll gain hands-on game production skills using industry-standard tools, learn to craft compelling interactive narratives, and examine the cultural, social, and theoretical underpinnings of games—equipping you to make a meaningful impact in a field that continues to shape our 21st-century world.

What We Offer

In the Game Studies and Design program, you’ll receive a comprehensive education in both the creative and critical aspects of gaming. You’ll learn about the game production pipeline, build prototypes in collaborative studio environments, and gain practical experience in narrative design for interactive media. At the same time, you’ll explore how games affect players, communities, and culture at large.

Our course work examines a wide range of subjects, including:

  • The fundamentals of game studies, addressing how games fit into broader social and cultural contexts
  • Visual scripting and basic programming principles essential for creating interactive experiences
  • Level design and worldbuilding, applying storytelling strategies to enhance gameplay
  • Ethical and social issues in the gaming community, including representation and inclusion in digital spaces
  • Advanced writing and narrative design for science fiction, fantasy, and other genres

By incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives from English, Media Arts, Communication, and Philosophy, you’ll emerge with a strong foundation in storytelling, design thinking, and cultural critique—skills that are in demand across numerous industries.

Narrative Design Concentration

The concentration in Narrative Design focuses on:

  • Script writing and story development for interactive media
  • Workshop-driven critiques that replicate collaborative studio environments
  • Worldbuilding for science fiction, fantasy, and other genres
  • The importance of representation and social context in game environments

Through this concentration, you’ll hone the craft of storytelling while developing creative leadership skills—preparing you for a variety of careers, including writing for AAA game studios, developing indie games, or pursuing graduate study in game narrative and theory.

Gabe Olsen and students working on the Global Game Jam 2024 project.What to Expect

You can declare your GMSD major at any time, provided you meet the university’s admission requirements. Once you’re a Game Studies and Design major, you’ll complete a set of required classes, including:

  • GMSD 1800 Survey of Game Studies and Design
  • MRTS 2300 Intro to Digital Content and Animation
  • CSCE 2150 Intro to Game Programming: Visual Scripting for Games
  • MRTS 3250 Intro to Game Design
  • ENGL 3500 Beginning Game Writing Workshop: Storytelling Through Narrative Design
  • GMSD 3800 Game Production Pipeline
  • GMSD 4800 Capstone 1 – Game Studio 1: Ideation and Prototyping
  • GMSD 4801 Capstone 2 – Game Studio 2: Iteration and Refinement

Beyond these required courses, you’ll choose advanced classes in Game Studies and in Games, Ethics, and Justice. Students opting for the Narrative Design concentration take additional courses in level design, advanced narrative design, and creative writing or media production electives.

A minimum of 120 total semester hours—including 42 advanced hours—is required for the degree. Electives vary based on your choices and any remaining university core requirements. Consult with an academic advisor to map out the best course sequence for you.

Experiential Opportunities

Because of UNT’s prime location in the Dallas-Fort Worth region—one of the country’s largest and most vibrant markets—students have access to an array of internship opportunities in game development, interactive media, and tech industries. Internships allow you to build real-world experience, professional networks, and potentially earn academic credit.

We also encourage you to get involved with campus initiatives and student groups focused on gaming and media production. These experiences enable you to collaborate, build a portfolio, and gain leadership skills that will set you apart in a competitive job market.

Scholarships and Financial Support

Scholarships are available to qualifying students who need financial assistance while pursuing their degree. Contact our department or the UNT Financial Aid office to learn about scholarship eligibility and application procedures.

Additional Resources for Success

  • The Career Center can help you explore internship and employment options in the gaming and interactive media industries.
  • The Learning Center offers workshops on study skills, time management, and academic support.
  • Academic Advisors will help you plan course schedules, keep track of degree progress, and ensure you meet all graduation requirements.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Game Studies and Design at UNT opens the door to a world of creativity, innovation, and critical engagement in one of the fastest-growing entertainment fields. Whether you dream of writing the next groundbreaking narrative, analyzing gaming trends and culture, or shaping the future of interactive technology, our GMSD program is the place to begin your journey. We look forward to supporting you every step of the way.