What is Board, Card and Role-Playing Games?

A program focusing on board, card and role-playing games.

Social SciencesGrowing Study ProspectsBachelor

Board, Card and Role-Playing Games

Also known as: Tabletop Game Design, Analog Game Studies, Game Design (Board & Card), Applied Game Theory & Design

In this program, you will delve into the comprehensive study of board, card, and role-playing games, exploring their design principles, cultural impact, and sociological significance. You will learn to analyze game mechanics, narrative structures, and player psychology, understanding how these elements coalesce to create engaging interactive experiences. The focus is on critical analysis, creative design, and the practical application of theoretical frameworks within the realm of analog games, drawing heavily from social sciences perspectives.

Social SciencesDesign

High School Preparation

Required Subjects

English/LiteratureMathematics (Algebra II or higher)Social Studies/HistoryArt or Design CoursePsychology or Sociology

Recommended GPA

3.0-3.5+

Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)

AP English Language and Composition
AP Psychology
Honors Creative Writing
AP Art History
AP Statistics

Recommended Activities

Forming or joining a school game design club
Participating in game design competitions
Volunteering at local game stores or conventions
Running or organizing role-playing game sessions
Writing game reviews or analyses for a blog or school paper
Developing and playtesting your own game prototypes

Application Essay Topics

Analyze a board, card, or role-playing game that significantly impacted you, discussing its design and cultural relevance.
Propose an original game concept (board, card, or RPG), detailing its core mechanics, theme, and target audience.
Discuss how games can be used as tools for education, social change, or personal development.
Examine the evolving role of community and social interaction within tabletop gaming culture.

Alternative Path

While a degree provides a structured foundation, you can enter this field through self-study, active participation in game design communities, or by building a portfolio of your own game designs. Community colleges may offer general education that transfers, or even specific courses in creative writing, art, or basic design principles that are foundational to game creation.

Core Subjects

Click on "i" to learn more about each subject

Career Prospects

Growing Study Prospects

Graduates from this program can pursue diverse roles within the burgeoning tabletop game industry and related fields. You might become a Tabletop Game Designer, specializing in creating new board, card, or role-playing games; a Game Developer, focusing on mechanics and system balance; or a Playtester/Quality Assurance Lead, ensuring games are engaging and functional. Other paths include working as a Game Producer, managing projects from concept to publication; a Game Journalist or Critic, analyzing and reviewing new releases; or even as an independent game publisher or educator specializing in game design.

Impact of AI on this Study

AI is increasingly impacting the field by offering tools for procedural content generation, game balancing through simulation, and data analysis of player behavior. Students in this program will learn to leverage AI and computational tools to prototype and test complex game systems, analyze vast datasets of playtest results for design iteration, and even explore AI as a narrative or mechanical element within analog game design.