| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dakota State University | Madison |
Our 2019 ranking of the top game design school programs in South Dakota. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
1. Dakota State University, Madison, South Dakota
Founded in 1881 as a school for teacher education in the Dakota Territory, Dakota State University (DSU) specializes in computer management, computer information systems, and other related undergraduate and graduate programs. With more than 45 majors to choose from and a “robust” graduate program, DSU serves around 3,300 students. Programs for aspiring game designers include a BS in Computer Game Design.
Per the school, the program “is one of the strongest in the nation.” It is the only BS in Computer Game Design program in the state, and one of a few in the Upper Midwest region. Coursework for the program is rigorous, including Calculus and Physics along with Computer Programming and Visual Design.
Students will study The History of Game as well as digital and non-digital games, and they will “integrate game mechanics, narrative, aesthetics and technology to craft interesting and effective player experiences.” Through hands-on experience, Computer Game Design students will develop their own games in project classes, and work in teams to develop communication skills.
Other program highlights include internship opportunities, participation in the Department’s annual Nanocon, IDiG and Global Game Jam, the opportunity to join Computer Club, the Gaming Club, Game Design Club, and E-Sports Club, and access to the “specifically-designed computer game design suite in the newly constructed Beacom Institute of Technology.”
Graduates of DSU’s BS in Computer Game Design program are prepared to seek positions such as Game Designer, Game Developer, Game Artist, Game Programmer, Quality Assurance, Game Writer, Game Animator, Software Developer, and many others.