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Video games have become the most popular and profitable form of entertainment. With revenues in the hundreds of billions of dollars worldwide, the games industry now eclipses the film, music, and television industries!
In the Applied Immersive Game Design major, you will experience the entire game design process, from conceptualisation and development to playtesting and marketing. You’ll learn the tools, processes and skills required to design and develop modern digital games from scratch.
In addition to entertainment games, you will also learn how to develop applied games, which use the technologies and motivations of games to help solve real world problems.
To be Game Designer or Developer, you need to be:
- creative and artistic
- methodical and accurate
- patient and adaptable
- able to work well under pressure
- good at managing projects
- good at analysis
- skilled in planning, organising and problem-solving
- a good communicator.
Entry to the Applied Immersive Game Design major is open to anyone with entry to the University. However, it is strongly recommended that you have at least 14 credits in NCEA Level 2 science and mathematics (passed AS level Mathematics in CIE or achieved a 4 SL Maths for IB).
Secondary school studies in related subjects such as digital technologies, technology, or design and visual communication would be an advantage.
To complete a Bachelor of Product Design in Applied Immersive Game Design, you must complete compulsory courses in introductory product design, management, engineering, and mathematics, as well as required courses towards the Applied Immersive Game Design major.
During your study, you’ll develop skills such as:
- Product design process
- Game design
- Game structure
- Game engine use
- Immersive interface design
- Computer-aided design
- 3D technologies
- Virtual reality
- Augmented reality
In your first year, you will study the fundamentals of the game development process. You will learn the essentials of game design, including the process of game development, and create your first playable game prototype. Our dedicated facilities offer plenty of tools for creativity to help you start building a portfolio of work and begin to develop your own design identity right from the start of your degree.
- Create games, individually or in collaboration with fellow students, from your very first year of study
- Learn how to use essential game development programs and technologies, including Unity and Unreal Engine
- Access fully equipped gaming facilities, with the latest generation gaming consoles, high-end PCs, industry quality motion capture, and cutting-edge AR/VR equipment
- Study business courses to prepare you to join the game development industry or start your own studio
- Work with industry partners in your second and third year projects to design and develop games for entertainment, or to solve real world needs
The video game sector in Aotearoa is predicted to grow into a billion-dollar industry by 2023, and there is a high demand for new talent in this space.
Applied Immersive Game Design graduates have a broad range of skills that can be applied in a variety of roles, with career opportunities including:
- Game Designer
- Game Programmer
- Level Designer
- Narrative Designer
- UI/UX Designer
- Visual effects/technical Artist
- AR/VR Engineer
- Producer
- Game Tester
Find out more about what you can do with a degree in Applied Immersive Game Design.
