With the soaring popularity of gaming, there’s a growing trend for students to seek specialized training at game design schools. In past decades, it would have been easy to imagine that most gamers were teenagers and there would be a somewhat limited market for game design, but today studies show how significant the gaming market is, revealing that the average gamer is well into his thirties. And gaming is definitely not just for males.

Someone considering the various game design schools will want to have a look at Devry University. Devry offers a Bachelor’s in Game and Simulation Programming that prepares the graduate for roles including programmer, software engineer and project coordinator. It’s an application-oriented program providing preparation in math and physics of games, programming fundamentals, game design, modifications (MOD) and massively multi-player online game (MMOG) programming. It offers studies of 2 and 3 dimensional graphics programming, simulation and game engine design. It also includes a full range of general education courses, resulting in well-rounded development of team members. DeVry University operates as Keller Graduate School of Management and DeVry Institute of Technology in New York. They also offer a mixture of online and onsite courses to best fit an individual’s lifestyle.

Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida boasts more than 100 studios, production suites, soundstages, and computer labs, as well as over 50 advanced college classrooms spanning 91 acres. Students comparing game design schools will be interested in Full Sail’s programs offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Game Arts, a Game Development Bachelor’s Degree and a Computer Animation Bachelor’s Degree. The skills acquired at Full Sail may be applied to careers ranging from creating art for video games to 3D animation for feature films.

ITT Tech offers over 85 locations nationwide in addition to their online programs. Of particular interest is their Digital Entertainment and Game Design program in the school of drafting and design. Courses in this program offer a foundation in digital game design through the study of gaming technology, game design process, animation, level design and general education coursework.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh has an online division which may very well appeal to students who aren’t interested in relocating to one of the Art Institute’s many locations. It offers a program in Animation that’s a mixture of both electronic arts and traditional animation skills. Students create realistic movement in 3D digital environments, and collaborate within a team environment to gain practical experience. Graduates are prepared to seek entry-level employment such as 3D character animator, modeler, and storyboarder. There’s also a Game and Art Design program preparing students for careers in the Game Art and Design field as modelers, storyboard artists, animation artists, 3D illustrators, digital artists, FX artists, video post-production artists, broadcast graphics designers, and game designers.

This is truly a unique time for students to consider game design schools. The gaming industry now crosses over with the motion picture industry, employing actors, composers and orchestras. Tom Clancy has taken time from his career as a best selling author to contribute to the gaming industry. There has never been a more exciting time to consider a career in this evolving creative field.