Game Design and Development (BA)

Create games that truly matter with our Game Design and Development (GDD) program. Learn to design compelling video games, board games and escape rooms that push the boundaries of gameplay and representation.

Develop vital skills in creativity, writing, visual design, critical thinking and problem solving. Master the integration of programming and art to craft functional prototypes. Get ready to excel in the dynamic game industry, combining technical expertise with innovative creative vision.

Program Details

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:

  • Learn from the Pros
    Gain insights from faculty members with hands-on game design experience. Work closely with them to transform your initial prototypes into publishable games, enhancing your skills and portfolio.
  • Enhance Your Degree
    Interested in pursuing a career in teaching or business? You can pursue a teaching pathway or Master of Business Administration (MBA) pathway, preparing you for a career that blends education or business with game design.
  • Flexible Career Options
    Tailor your degree to match your career goals with degree enhancements like a Psychology Minor, a Combination BA with English, or a Minor in User Experience Design. Explore diverse avenues in game design to fit your interests.

Top Experiences

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for even more!):

  • Build and Showcase Your Portfolio
    Develop a robust portfolio with project-focused courses, create and release games through coursework and student groups and gain practical experience to impress potential employers.
  • Live and Learn
    Join the game changers residence community. Immerse yourself in the Game Changers Residence Learning Community, where you’ll live and collaborate with fellow Game Design and Development students from day one.
  • Hands-On Opportunities
    Engage in Community Service-Learning placements. Participate in game jams, research projects and other experiential learning opportunities on campus and in the community to gain valuable experience and expand your professional network.

Courses, Options and Pathways

Courses

Get a glimpse of what you will study throughout your degree. See what your first-year classes will look like through sample courses and start exploring what your upper academic years can offer.

Program Options

Explore a variety of courses, specializations and pathway options that let you shape your degree around your unique interests and goals. Find out how you can customize your experience and prepare for what’s next.

Admissions

  • Format: full time
  • Duration: four years
  • Start: September (fall term) or May (spring term)

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • application or web game designer
  • educational/training game designer
  • escape room designer
  • junior design director
  • quality assurance analyst
  • game designer
  • game writer
  • game design consultant
  • indie game entrepreneur
  • project manager
  • simulation designer/developer
  • social media coordinator

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

student-business-lecture-banner.jpg

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

 

Laurier is among the top 6 percent in the Center for World University Rankings

 

Laurier students engaged in hands-on learning in 2024

 

Laurier graduates employed or in post-graduate studies in 2024

Brantford Campus

The Brantford campus blends small-city charm with big opportunities. It’s home to more than 2,400 students learning in modern classrooms inside beautifully restored buildings, with access to recreation at the Laurier Brantford YMCA and one-stop student services within One Market. With affordable living options, 20+ programs to choose from, great walking and biking trails and a welcoming community, Laurier Brantford is the ideal place to live and learn.

There are many ways to tour our Brantford campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

students work together on laptops on campus

Delivered In Person and Online

Get the best of both worlds. In this program, you attend some scheduled classes in a physical classroom and participate in online learning.

Some online components may be live at scheduled times (virtual synchronous), while others can be completed independently (virtual asynchronous). Your course syllabus will outline when you’re expected to be in class and when you’ll be learning online.

Hear From Current Students

Want to know what it’s really like to be a Laurier Golden Hawk? Student Life at Laurier is your social media source to get unfiltered content, first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.

Connect with Us

Questions? Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.


You Belong Here

Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?