Master in Game Design
- Los Angeles, USA
- Valencia, Spain
Master degree
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English, Spanish
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus, Blended
Key Summary
The Master’s in Game Design is aimed at students who want to acquire both theoretical and practical skills in one of the fastest-growing global industries. This program will allow you to master Game Design—an essential discipline in the creation of video games, responsible for defining rules, mechanics, environments, and narratives.
The curriculum combines two fundamental pillars:
- Game Programming: development of mechanics, systems, and dynamics applied to 2D and 3D titles.
- Game Design: creation of design documentation, prototyping, and gameplay systems that shape the player experience.
Through a hands-on approach using Unreal Engine, students will learn to develop complete projects—from the initial idea to a functional prototype. By the end, you’ll have a professional portfolio showcasing your skills as a Game Designer or Programmer, fully prepared for the international digital entertainment industry.
Double Degree
International Certification USA–Spain
Our dual-degree program allows you to graduate with two official certificates:
- Curriculum certified in the USA, meeting American industry standards for creative careers worldwide.
- European accreditation, fully recognized in Spain and across Europe.
This ensures your training is not limited to one country. You’ll have the credentials to work internationally, from Hollywood to European studios.
- Official diploma issued in California
- International registration backed by the BPPE
- Translation and validation of academic transcripts
- Portfolio guidance and support in English
- International letter of recommendation
Game Design
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of Game Design! This discipline is the key to bringing your video games to life, establishing rules, limits, and scenarios. It consists of two essential parts:
- Create Documentation that will bring your ideas to life!
- Communicate your vision to the team and the world!
Learn the techniques and knowledge to design content and rules that will make your video games shine, from conception to launch. Be the architect of virtual worlds and create unforgettable experiences!
Software: Unreal Engine, Unity
- Creative individuals passionate about video games who want to become professional designers
- Graduates in computer science, audiovisual communication, fine arts, or related fields
- Industry professionals seeking to deepen their expertise in game design
- International students pursuing official certification valid in both the USA and Europe
Universal Arts School offers:
- Partial scholarships for outstanding profiles
- Promotional discounts for early enrollment (check active code)
- Flexible payment plans tailored to each student
Block 1 – Fundamentals and History of Video Games
- Basic concepts: rules, mechanics, dynamics, and player types
- Creation of a GDD, initial prototypes, and player psychology
- Video game history: origins, hardware evolution, crises, genres, and the future of the industry
Block 2 – Narrative and Level Design
- Fundamentals of classical, modern, and emergent storytelling
- Systems design, cameras, objectives, and balancing frustration vs. reward
- Keys to level design across genres (platformers, strategy, FPS, puzzles)
- Game environment creation and representation
Block 3 – Economy, Marketing, and Production
- Economy design: balance, symmetry/asymmetry, resources, traditional and F2P models
- Big Data, user profiling, and experimental design
- Project production: Kanban, Scrum, task estimation, and budgeting
- Marketing strategies, communication, and community building
Block 4 – Programming and Final Project
- Programming fundamentals: variables, control structures, OOP, and inheritance
- Unity as a framework: components, cameras, physics, and UI
- Art and optimization: models, textures, lighting, animation, pooling
- Advanced topics: data persistence, AI, pathfinding, nodes, and collaborative game development
- Universal Arts School internationally recognized in training for video games and digital arts
- Official accreditation in the USA (BPPE) and Europe
- Featured in specialized global rankings of creative schools
- Design mechanics, levels, and narratives for video games
- Communicate and document ideas clearly and professionally
- Lead production processes in the gaming industry
- Master key software such as Unreal Engine and Unity
- Build a competitive international design portfolio
- Game Designer
- Level Designer
- Quest Designer
- Narrative Designer
- Game Producer
- Assistant Producer
- Creative Consultant for interactive projects, film, and advertising
- Dual USA–Spain degree with international recognition
- Strategic locations: Los Angeles and Valencia
- Faculty of active professionals in the video game industry
- Hands-on learning with real, collaborative projects
- Access to an alumni network and partnerships with top studios
- Flexible formats: online, blended, or on-campus