School of Game Development

We Make Art Work

School of Game Development Academy of Art University

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Your World. Your Rules.

At the STEM-designated School of Game Development, you’ll experience the full professional production pipeline—designing, coding, and building worlds from the ground up. Learn from industry pros and get hands-on experience with VR treadmills, haptic vests, and cutting-edge tools shaping the future of play. This isn’t just game development—it’s game culture. Compete in our esports lounge, join student clubs, and connect with alumni who share what it really takes to succeed.

Join us: On campus in San Francisco, online, or virtually via Zoom (select classes)

Companies that Employ Our Students

Students & Alumni

Always Creating. Always Moving Forward.

At the Academy, creativity doesn’t pause at graduation; it accelerates. Our students leave with portfolios that speak louder than résumés, catapulting them into creative careers.

This is where passion meets purpose—on campus, in studios, and on global stages.

Our alumni are out there now winning awards, leading teams, and shaping culture.

See More Success Stories
Nicole Schofield

Nicole Schofield

“I really appreciated the fundamental classes because they gave me a strong foundation. Collaborating with students outside my degree taught me how to communicate across departments, which has been a huge help in my work at Striking Distance and knowing who to connect with to move each project forward.”

BFA Game Development, Environment Artist at Striking Distance Studios

Kyoungche Kim

Kyoungche Kim

“The Academy opened up so many opportunities for me. I met a lot of good people, built a strong foundation, and those connections have been the most valuable part of my journey.”

BFA Game Development, Art Director/Co-Founder of Studio Ai

Garnett James

Garnett James

“The Academy is definitely a great school. The instructors really care; they give you one-on-one time and guidance that helps you grow. I’ve learned so much about who I want to be. I can really focus on evolving here and becoming the individual I want to be when I graduate.”

BFA Game Development, current student

Atsushi Seo

Atsushi Seo

“I really appreciate the Academy because the instructors are actively working in the industry at studios like ILM, Pixar, and others. Learning from them gave me invaluable insight into what it takes to be a collaborative artist, including the skills, mindset, and attention to detail. The connections I made then continue to be valuable to me even today.”

BFA Game Development, Lighting Director at Absurd Ventures, previous lighting director at Striking Distance Studios

Facility Highlights

    esports production

    Technology

    280+ Alienware high-performance computers with dual monitors
    13 iMac workstations for iOS development
    103 Cintiq monitors (model:”24HD”)
    21 Alienware 25-inch 240Hz monitors in our Game Lounge
    21 iPad Pro 12.9-Inch tablets for concept art
    6 Oculus Rift virtual reality (VR) Headsets
    6 HTC VIVE VR headsets
    4 Samsung Gear VR headsets
    2 Samsung HMD Odyssey Windows mixed-reality (MR) headsets
    2 Microsoft HoloLens augmented reality (AR) headsets
    60+ Wacom tablets
    Xbox/PlayStation/Nintendo game consoles
    iOS/Android mobile platforms: iPad, iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel

    man in VR setup playing games

    Virtual and Augmented Reality

    Step into the future now with advanced studio courses in virtual and augmented reality. You’ll have access to the latest gear—from Oculus, HTC, Sony, Microsoft, and whatever comes next—as you explore dynamic interactions on emerging platforms. Through focused training in interaction and UI/UX design, you’ll take a deep dive into how we move, connect, and play in virtual space. Then, you’ll build what’s next.

    group of gamers playing in the Academy esports lounge

    Esports Lab & Competition

    From casual game nights to full-on tournaments, the Knight Arcade is where play meets community. Jump into weekly events or rep the school in league-based esports competitions against colleges across North America.

    Looking for a behind-the-scenes esports career? Our esports studio class partners with top industry players to give you hands-on experience running real events.

    No matter your major, there’s a place for your skills—and a chance to level up before you even graduate.

    Game Development Studio Academy of Art University

    Studio

    Welcome to The Studio—where creative minds from across departments come together to build something bigger. You’ll collaborate with students from Music, Illustration, Animation, and more in a fast-paced, studio-style environment built to mirror the real world. Different skills. One shared mission.