Computer Game Programming

Also known as: Game Development, Interactive Entertainment Programming

A program that prepares individuals to apply the knowledge and skills of design and computer programming to the development of computer games. Includes training in character and story development, computer programming, computer graphics, game design, game physics, human-computer interaction, human-c

Game DevelopmentGame ProgrammingGame DesignInteractive MediaSoftware EngineeringComputer ScienceUser ExperienceScienceDesignSoftware

A Week as a Student

Your alarm buzzes early for "Introduction to C++ Programming." The lecture hall is packed as you dive into variables and basic functions. Afterward, in the computer lab, you're debugging a simple 'hello world' program, battling endless syntax errors. You approach a TA, who patiently points out a missing semicolon. Later, you grab lunch with friends, discussing your weekend gaming sessions. The evening is spent reviewing code, trying to internalize the logic, feeling both the weight of what's ahead and the excitement of making things happen.

High School Preparation

Required Subjects

MathematicsComputer SciencePhysicsEnglish

Recommended GPA

3.0-3.5

Advanced Courses (AP/IB/Honors)

AP Computer Science
AP Physics
IB Computer Science

Core Subjects

Click on "i" to learn more about each subject

Career Prospects

Growing Study Prospects

Graduates can work as game developers, game designers, software engineers specializing in games, or quality assurance testers in the booming video game industry. Opportunities exist across various platforms, from mobile to console and PC gaming.

Impact of AI on this Study

AI significantly impacts game programming by enabling more sophisticated non-player character (NPC) behaviors, procedural content generation, and adaptive game difficulty. Developers increasingly use AI tools for optimization and creating immersive, dynamic game worlds.