Game development provides students a solid basis to pursue employment in the field of simulation, training, education, game development, and visual storytelling while being flexible enough to allow students to pursue a major in another discipline.
Carthage takes a unique approach to game development, combining computer science with art and digital media. The new program equips graduates to design and develop high-level video games, as well as training simulations, 3-D models, and animation.
“Certification in the Unity technology stack can be a powerful credential.” — Professor Perry Kivolowitz
New in fall 2023! Carthage is now offering a Bachelor of Arts in Game Development and a Bachelor of Science in Game Development! More information about degree requirements will be available soon!
Computer science majors who add the optional concentration in game development can obtain associate-level certification through Unity, the platform used to create most mobile, console, and PC games. As of 2020, over half of mobile, console, and PC games were made using the company’s platform.
The 24-credit minor can be paired with any major, with the exception of computer science.
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<img src="/live/image/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,960,1792/38603_10498_163701665847155.rev.1697131158.jpg" alt="Matty Michel" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,960,1792/38603_10498_163701665847155.rev.1697131158.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,960,1792/38603_10498_163701665847155.rev.1697131158.jpg 3x" data-max-w="960" data-max-h="1792" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Game Development I has to be my favorite class so far. It was the first experience I’d ever had working with a game engine, so I was always so excited to go to class and learn more about Unity. Getting your game to work and then being able to play it is such a unique and fun experience.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2526-">Matty Michel</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,83,2133,2214/38605_10519_163701665847155.rev.1697166520.jpg" alt="Draven Myers" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,83,2133,2214/38605_10519_163701665847155.rev.1697166520.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,83,2133,2214/38605_10519_163701665847155.rev.1697166520.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2133" data-max-h="2131" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “I’ve had some professors who are genuinely so passionate about teaching that I feel excited to go to their classes and talk with them. They’ve helped me rediscover my love for learning and exploring the world.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2530-">Draven Myers</a> ’25</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/37814_8358_163701665847155.rev.1684809737.jpg" alt="Joseph Fudali" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/37814_8358_163701665847155.rev.1684809737.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/37/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,2400,3200/37814_8358_163701665847155.rev.1684809737.jpg 3x" data-max-w="2400" data-max-h="3200" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “The Carthage faculty have taught me that no matter if I’m at the top of the class or struggling with the first assignment, I can find success. Whenever I feel like giving up, I can go to them with my problems and get the help I need.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2439-">Joseph Fudali</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
A student’s 2D platformer project.
A virtual reality meditation environment.
A student’s top-down shooter project.
“Undercooked” 3D student project.
A student’s block breaker project.
An interior scene in Unity 3D.
A student’s reimagining of Chess in Unity.
Game Development Courses you’ll take
A sampling of required and elective courses that can be taken toward the game development concentration or minor:
Sharing arena space with Carthage’s varsity esports team, students can access 24 gaming stations with custom-built Lenovo PCs and an adjacent classroom. The Science Center contains a server room, hardware lab, and a networking/ advanced computing facility with Linux and Sun/Solaris platforms.
Student Opportunities
Students studying game development at Carthage will consult with members of Carthage’s new competitive esports team when creating and refining original games.
Students in the program also have the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member for a Summer Undergraduate Research Experience or delve into up-and-coming topics and technologies during a month-long period of study for J-Term.
The employment forecast varies by occupation, but the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 22% overall growth in jobs for software developers, analysts, and testers through 2030. In the software publishing industry, that projected growth rate rises to 28%.
where carthage graduates go
Although the game development program is new, some Carthage alumni have gone on to form their own gaming studios or to contribute as employees with:
Microsoft
Raven Software
OS Studios
Incredible Technologies
Discord
Financial aid
Students intending to major in computer science or another eligible major at Carthage can participate in the Math/Science Scholarship competition. Two full-tuition scholarships are awarded each year.
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