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Games, Play & Interactive Media

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Games, Play & Interactive Media

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Arts & Design

Games, Play & Interactive Media

Also known as game design, video games, interactive media

how games and play work as culture, design and technology — from board games to video games and interactive media

Sources: Wikipedia

Careers & study paths ↓ Search Wikipedia ↗ Search YouTube ↗

What this subject explores

  • Feedback
  • Game
  • Gameplay
  • Interactive Media
  • Level/Stage

Sources & further reading

Put your curiosity to work

Careers in Games, Play & Interactive Media

Roles today

  • Game Designer

    Crafts the interactive systems that define player engagement.

    Skills to build

    • Systems Design
    • Prototyping
    • Level Design
    • Narrative Design
    • Unity/Unreal Engine

  • UI/UX Designer (Games)

    Ensures intuitive navigation and an enjoyable aesthetic interaction.

    Skills to build

    • Wireframing
    • User Research
    • Figma/Adobe XD
    • Usability Testing
    • Information Architecture

  • Technical Artist

    Optimises artistic assets for performance while maintaining visual fidelity.

    Skills to build

    • Scripting (Python/C#)
    • Shader Development
    • 3D Modelling Software
    • Performance Optimisation
    • Asset Pipelines

  • Producer (Games)

    Orchestrates teams and resources to bring interactive visions to fruition.

    Skills to build

    • Project Management Software
    • Budgeting
    • Team Leadership
    • Risk Management
    • Agile/Scrum

Emerging roles

  • Narrative Designer (Interactive Storytelling)

    Weaves compelling, adaptive stories for diverse interactive experiences.

    Skills to build

    • Scriptwriting
    • Twine/Ink
    • Character Development
    • Worldbuilding
    • Player Choice Architecture

  • Virtual/Augmented Reality Experience Designer

    Designs compelling digital overlays and simulated realities.

    Skills to build

    • Unity/Unreal Engine (XR)
    • Spatial Computing
    • Haptic Feedback Design
    • Prototyping
    • User Testing (VR/AR)

  • Gamification Specialist

    Leverages play mechanics to motivate behaviour in education, health, or business.

    Skills to build

    • Behavioural Psychology
    • Incentive Design
    • Data Analysis
    • User Journey Mapping
    • Workshop Facilitation

Where subjects meet

  • Causal Inference & Experiments ↗

    Game Data Scientist

    Analyses player behaviour data to inform design decisions and predict outcomes.

    Skills to build

    • A/B Testing
    • Statistical Modelling (R/Python)
    • SQL
    • Data Visualisation
    • Predictive Analytics

  • Neuroscience ↗

    Neuro-Gaming Researcher

    Explores the brain's response to interactive media for therapeutic or performance enhancement.

    Skills to build

    • EEG/fMRI Data Analysis
    • Experimental Design
    • Cognitive Psychology
    • Biofeedback Systems
    • Scientific Writing

  • Ethics and Moral Philosophy ↗

    Ethical AI Designer (Games)

    Develops AI behaviours and game systems that consider fairness, bias, and player well-being.

    Skills to build

    • AI Ethics Frameworks
    • Algorithmic Bias Detection
    • Player Psychology
    • Policy Development
    • Dialogue Systems

  • How Learning Works ↗

    Educational Game Developer

    Designs interactive experiences specifically to facilitate learning and skill acquisition.

    Skills to build

    • Instructional Design
    • Learning Theories
    • Curriculum Development
    • Game Engine Proficiency
    • Assessment Design

Find your direction

Compare the choices that shape this path. There is no score or single right answer.

  1. Do you want to build the *art* and *experience* of a game, or the *engine* that makes it run?

    Design & Art Focus
    You'll spend your time shaping how the game looks, sounds, feels, and the story it tells, focusing on the player's journey and emotions.
    Programming & Tech Focus
    You'll focus on writing code, building the underlying systems, and making sure all the game's parts actually work together smoothly and efficiently.

    Both are absolutely essential for a game, but require very different skill sets and ways of thinking.

  2. Do you thrive in a large, structured team environment or prefer the freedom and responsibility of a small, agile group?

    AAA/Big Studio Path
    You'll likely specialize in one specific task on a massive project, working with many resources and a clear hierarchy, often on well-known franchises.
    Indie Development Path
    You'll wear many hats, have more direct creative input, and experience the full scope of game creation, often with tighter budgets and more personal risk.

    Big studios offer stability and scale, while indie can offer more creative control and a direct impact on the entire project.

  3. Is your main passion specifically for traditional video games, or for interactive experiences in a broader sense?

    Video Game Focus
    You'll aim for roles in studios making console, PC, or mobile games, focusing on established game genres and player expectations.
    Broader Interactive Media & Play
    You might explore VR/AR, educational apps, interactive installations, board games, or even escape rooms, where 'play' takes many forms beyond a screen.

    Many skills transfer between these areas, but the industries, job markets, and target audiences can be quite distinct.

  4. Are you looking for a stable career path within an existing company, or are you willing to take risks to create your own vision?

    Industry Employee
    You'll join an existing company, contributing to their projects and receiving a regular salary, benefits, and a structured career progression.
    Independent Creator
    You'll try to fund and release your own games or interactive projects, which can be incredibly rewarding but also financially uncertain and demanding.

    Many successful independent creators start by gaining experience and connections in the industry first before venturing out on their own.

Where to study Games, Play & Interactive Media

Institutions and programmes to explore. Check each institution’s current programme and entry requirements before applying.

  • University of Southern California (USC)

    Global

    BA/MFA in Interactive Media & Games

    A pioneer in game design education, offering unparalleled industry connections and a robust curriculum for future media innovators.

  • New York University (NYU)

    Global

    BFA/MFA in Game Design

    Situated in a global media hub, it fosters experimental and critical approaches to game creation, shaping the next generation of interactive storytellers.

  • University of Utah

    Global

    BS/MS in Entertainment Arts and Engineering

    Offers a strong technical foundation alongside creative design, bridging academic rigor with industry relevance in the dynamic field of interactive entertainment.

  • DigiPen Institute of Technology

    Global

    BS in Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation

    A focused curriculum and project-based learning prepare students directly for the technical demands and creative challenges of the game industry.

  • National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad

    India

    M.Des. in Digital Game Design

    Cultivates a holistic design perspective, crucial for innovative interactive media experiences rooted in cultural understanding and user-centric principles.

  • IIT Bombay (IDC School of Design)

    India

    M.Des. in Interaction Design

    Integrates rigorous engineering principles with user-centric design, fostering a deep understanding of interactive systems and their societal impact.

  • Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)

    India

    B.Sc. in Animation and Game Design

    Offers practical exposure and a structured curriculum in game design, preparing students for a burgeoning industry with a blend of artistic and technical skills.

Watch

Read

Voices to follow

  • Jane McGonigal ↗Her work illuminates how game mechanics can be harnessed to foster resilience and address global challenges, transcending mere entertainment.Game designer, author, futurist
  • Jesse Schell ↗A leading voice in game design pedagogy and practice, he offers profound insights into the craft and business of creating interactive experiences.Game designer, professor at Carnegie Mellon University, CEO of Schell Games
  • Ian Bogost ↗He provides incisive, often provocative, critiques of games as cultural artifacts and their broader implications for society and technology.Professor of Media Studies, Georgia Institute of Technology; contributing editor, The Atlantic
  • Brenda Romero ↗Her extensive career and innovative designs, particularly in exploring difficult themes through play, offer a masterclass in the medium's expressive power.Award-winning game designer; program director, University of Limerick

Glossary

  • FeedbackThe information a game or system gives back to the player to show the results of their actions, often through sounds, visuals, or vibrations. For example, when you successfully hit an enemy in a game, the sound effect and flashing animation are forms of feedback.
  • GameA structured form of play, usually undertaken for enjoyment, where players follow rules to achieve a goal. For example, Ludo is a game where you roll dice and move pieces to get them home before other players.
  • GameplayHow a player interacts with a game, including the actions they take, the challenges they face, and the overall experience of playing. For example, a game with fast-paced combat and puzzle-solving has exciting gameplay.
  • Interactive MediaAny digital or physical system that allows users to actively participate and influence what happens, rather than just passively watching or listening. For example, a video game is interactive media because your choices and button presses directly affect the characters and story.
  • Level/StageA distinct section or area within a game that players must complete to advance, often with its own challenges and design. For example, in Super Mario, each new world or area you play through is considered a different level.
  • MechanicsThe specific actions, systems, and rules that define how players interact with the game world and its elements. These are the "verbs" of the game. For example, jumping, shooting, and collecting items are common game mechanics.
  • NarrativeThe story or plot that unfolds within a game, often driven by character actions, events, and player choices. For example, a role-playing game often has a rich narrative about heroes saving the world from a dark evil.
  • ObjectiveThe specific goal or task that players try to achieve in a game to win or progress. For example, the objective in a racing game is usually to cross the finish line first.
  • PlayFree, fun activity done for its own sake, often involving imagination and exploration, without a strict goal or rules. For example, building a fort out of blankets just for fun is a form of play.
  • RulesThe guidelines or instructions that tell players what they can and cannot do in a game, defining how it works. For example, in chess, a knight must always move in an L-shape; that's one of its rules.
  • User Interface (UI)The visual parts of a game or app that you see and use to control it, like buttons, menus, and on-screen information. For example, the health bar, mini-map, and inventory screen in a video game are all part of its user interface.

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