The gaming industry is arguably one of the most important and innovative sectors today. While video games started out with consoles connected to our TVs, the development of technology benefits the industry to expand onto multiple platforms including PC, smartphone and social media, making it accessible to people of all ages.
It is natural that students who love video games would prefer a career in the gaming sector. But students are often confused between game design and game development when it comes to deciding which undergraduate course to take. This article will clarify the differences between both courses, so that students may make a clear decision to pursue their preferred career.
What is Game Design?
Source: Extra Credits
Game design is a part of the video game development field. Game design is all about generating ideas and concepts for games. The study of game design includes knowledge of creative writing and graphic design. Game designers are responsible for creating the initial framework of a game including game plots, characters, gameplay, rules, interfaces, storylines and environment settings.
Careers with a Game Design Degree
Game System Designer
Game Systems Designer, you will design compelling game systems, mechanics and content and work with a team of engineers, artists, UX designers, producers and product managers to see their implementation
Game Animator
Game Animators produce repetitive images called frames, where it creates an illusion of movement when sequenced together. They tend to work in 2D, 3D model-making, stop-frame or computer-generated animation or even create hand-drawn pictures, models or puppets.
Concept Artist
Concept artists are responsible for creating images of people, creatures, props and location. They are required to provide sketches of the appearances of a character and details of environments within a tight time frame.
Academic Entry Requirements for Game Design Degree
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STPM |
Minimum grade C in at least 2 subjects |
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A-Levels |
Minimum CCC (including Mathematics) |
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Foundation/Matriculation |
Pass with min. CGPA 2.00 |
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UEC |
Pass with minimum 5Bs |
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Diploma |
Pass with min. CGPA 2.50 |
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International Baccalaureate (IB) |
A minimum score of 24 points |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
Top Universities offering Game Design Degree
#1 Taylor’s University
Source: Taylor’s University
Program | Bachelor of Information Technology (Hons) Game Design |
Intake (2021) | January, March & August |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM 97, 506 International: RM 115, 735 |
#2 UCSI University
Source: UCSI University
Program | BA (Hons) Game Design |
Intake (2021) | January, May and September |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Annual Fees (2021) | Local: RM 63, 580 International: RM 68, 415 |
#3 Management and Science University (MSU)
Program | Bachelor in Games Design and Animation (Hons) |
Intake (2021) | Feb, Jul & Sep |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM40, 000 – RM45, 000 International: RM 85, 000 – RM 90, 000 |
What is Game Development?
Source: Thomas Brush
Game development is a creative art whereby a person or a team creates new games. Video game developers are more likely to convert ideas and objectives of the design team into an actual game.
The game development process includes concept generation, design, building, and testing. It requires programming language as developers write codes to determine how the computer will handle everything in the game, from the rules to the graphics.
Career Options with a Game Development Degree
There are many types of game developers involved in game development and each of them has a crucial part in the creation of a game.
Artificial intelligence programmer (AI)
AI programmers develop the responsiveness for computer-controlled opponents and allies based on a player’s actions. AI enables computer characters to react realistically, and strategically to the player, especially in games that consist of difficulty setting.
Graphics programmers
Graphics programmers work closely with artists to figure out how to incorporate the artwork into a game. They apply the knowledge of mathematics to develop sophisticated algorithms and produce 2D and 3D graphics.
Network programmers
Network programmers write the code that enables gamers to connect with gamers across the world online. They also develop security measures to prevent cheating and allow players from different countries to compete against each other.
Academic Entry Requirement for Game Development Degree
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STPM |
Minimum grade C (CGPA 2.0) in any subject |
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A-Levels |
Minimum score grade of CCC |
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Foundation/Matriculation |
A minimum CGPA of 2.0 |
|
UEC |
A minimum grade of B5 |
|
Diploma |
A minimum CGPA of 2.0 |
*The requirements may vary among universities, for inquiries on other entry requirements, contact Excel Education.
Top Universities offering Game Development Degree
#1 Asia Pacific University (APU)
Program | BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Development (Dual Degree Award with De Montfort University, UK) |
Intake (2021) | March, May & September |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM 87, 000 International: RM 88, 200 |
#2 UOW KDU university
Source: UOW Malaysia KDU
Program | Bachelor of Game Development (Hons) |
Intake (2021) | January, March, May, July, September & October |
Duration | 3 years |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM75, 105 International: RM83, 700 |
Differences between Game Design and Game Development
The main difference that separates these two departments is that game designers work on the concept of the game such as creating storyline or plots, gameplay on how players could interact with the game, and the type of characters who would fit into the plots. On the other hand, game development involves writing codes to turn the game designer’s vision into a playable product.
When it comes to deciding on which course to study, your interests play a vital role in the selection of your career. If you believe you are creative and have design talents to come up with storylines and character appearances that could attract gamers to the game, you may pursue a degree in game design. If coding is your primary interest, then you may choose game development and work on the graphics and user interface to enhance the gaming experience.
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Sasvin Ravi
I am a freelance content writer, writing on a weekly basis while discovering my true passion..