MFA in Game Design

Program Overview

DePaul's Master of Fine Arts in Game Design equips students with the knowledge and skills to design and develop games that transcend entertainment, exploring their potential as art and tools for societal impact. The hands-on curriculum fosters collaboration and interdisciplinary learning, preparing graduates for diverse careers within the game industry and beyond. Through cutting-edge facilities and industry connections, students are immersed in Chicago's vibrant game community, gaining invaluable experience and showcasing their work on a global scale.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

DePaul's Master of Fine Arts in Game Design program is designed for creative individuals who aim to produce impactful games with social, cultural, and emotional significance. It moves beyond the entertainment aspect of games, exploring their potential as art and tools for a purpose. The program prepares students to shape the future of games through exploration of emerging theories and their practical application.

Objectives:

• Students will critically analyze games from various perspectives, including historical, aesthetic, and social contexts.
• They will design and develop games with significant historical, aesthetic, and social impact.
• Students will master the use of games to intentionally evoke specific emotions, experiences, communicate ideas, and achieve desired social outcomes.
• The program equips them to build projects iteratively, starting with simple prototypes and evolving them into complex systems.

Teaching:

• The program employs a mix of bootcamp, theory, and production studio classes, fostering a hands-on learning environment.
• Students engage in critiques where their games are challenged by peers and faculty.
• The curriculum is flexible, allowing students to personalize over half of their courses based on their interests.

Careers:

• The MFA in Game Design prepares graduates for diverse roles within the game industry, including game development, production, and design.
• It opens doors to teaching positions at the university level and academic tenure-track careers.
• Students are encouraged to build valuable industry connections through opportunities in Chicago's thriving games scene.

Other:

• The program has a strong focus on collaboration and interdisciplinary learning, with students participating in DePaul Originals Game Studios and the Jarvis Student Center for Innovation and Collaboration.
• DePaul partners with IndieCade Horizons, offering students access to playtesting and conferences and showcasing their work.
• A biennial study abroad program in Japan exposes students to Japanese game and animation studios, galleries, and cultural sites.
• The program culminates in a public showcase of student game development, featuring capstone and MFA thesis projects.
• The faculty comprises recognized leaders in game design, publishing award-winning games and exhibiting their work in prestigious festivals, galleries, and conferences.
• Faculty expertise spans diverse areas, including immersive tech, prosocial games, hybrid games, critical game studies, and more.