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DL854 BA (Hons) Game Design

Master the craft of game design by honing your technical and creative skills. Build your own unique portfolio through hands-on projects in our innovative programme to carve your own path into the gaming industry.

What is Game Design?

Game design is the art of crafting game mechanics, systems and rules that shape a player’s experience. As a game designer, you’ll collaborate and experiment to create playful, immersive worlds. Through this course you’ll learn:

Technical Mastery: Gain expertise in industry-standard tools like Unreal and Unity.
Artistic Vision: Learn visual art using tools like Photoshop, Blender, and Maya.
Design Thinking: Collaborate with a strong team ethic, refining your games through iterative design.
Human Understanding: Explore the philosophical, psychological and historical roots of games to create experiences that resonate with players.

With input from leading Irish gaming studios, our project-based structure ensures you’ll be creating games from day one.

What will I do?

Become proficient in industry-standard tools, processes and developer-player relationships.
Study the creative and technical aspects of game design, exploring stories, characters, challenges and rewards.
Explore and express your creativity, innovative thinking and problem-solving, and cultivate the creative mindset essential for success in this dynamic industry.
The course is structured to include over eight game projects (one major project each semester), progressively building your skills and portfolio.
Learn how to use industry-standard game development equipment and software from leading gaming industry practitioners.

What modules will I study?

Year 1

Paper Prototyping
Digital Tools
Ludology: Studying Play
Creative Programming
IADT Faculty Connect
Gamification
2D Character Design
Games and Culture
2D Game Engine
IADT Faculty Skills Workshop

Year 2

Designing Dynamics: Systems & Mechanics
Environmental World Building
Game Industry
3D Game Engine
Player Experience Design
Creating 3D Characters
Collaborative Learning
Level Design
IADT Faculty Electives

Year 3

Rapid Game Prototyping
Sound Design
Quest Design
Elective: Advanced Game Engine / The Psychology of Games
Professional Practice and Placement
Thesis Research and Proposal
Business and Entrepreneurship

Year 4

Game Based Learning
Advanced 3D Animation
Emerging Technologies
Elective: Sound and Music / XR Development
Major Project
Professional Development and Critical Thinking

What will I study?

In first year, explore game design fundamentals, including Paper Prototyping, Digital Tools, Ludology and Creative Programming, culminating in the development of a unique board game and your first 2D game experience.

By second year, advanced topics include a deep dive into complex game mechanics, level design, 3D Game Engine development and 3D modelling. Projects involve the development of 3D games individually and working in teams as part of a designated role.

In third year, explore Rapid Game Prototyping, Sound Design, Quest Design, and Advanced Game Engines. This semester focuses on rapid iteration of multiple game projects as you grow in confidence and develop your skills as a game designer. Explore opportunities for study abroad or engage in a work placement in partnership with our industry links.

In your final year, study Emerging Technologies and advanced aspects of game design while developing your portfolio. A capstone project focuses on a culmination of your unique skillset as a game designer.

International Study Opportunities

This is a new programme, and partnership agreements will be established during the academic year 2025/2026.

What will I do after I graduate?

In Ireland, the employment in design-intensive sectors has the potential to grow by over 20,000 jobs between 2020-2026. With an estimated 2.2 billion people playing video games across the world, the gaming industry is one of high growth and rapidly-developing opportunities.

Graduates will be equipped to pursue a range of specialist roles in the industry, including Game Designer, Level Designer, Sound Designer, and Project Manager. Graduates will also be exposed to a wide range of technical skills allowing them to explore roles in related creative and technical fields such as Programming, Social Media Marketing, Animation, and Web Design. Potential employers include notable Irish game companies such as Digit, Romero Games, Black Shamrock and Vela.

Graduates can continue to a broad range of Masters programmes in Ireland and internationally.

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Requirements

Course Code DL854 - Level 8
Application CAO
Duration 4 years
Places 30
CAO Points New course
Portfolio No
Min Entry Requirements 2 H5 + 4 O6/H7 English O6/H7

LCVP is accepted as a sixth Leaving Certificate subject and is counted for points purposes.

Please note the above relates to Irish leaving cert students only

EU Candidates: For information about minimum entry requirements for your individual country please refer to the CAO EU/EFTA entry requirements document here.
Mature Students We welcome applications from mature students, who must apply to the CAO.
More info for Mature Students is here.
International Students We welcome international students to IADT.
Learn how to apply as an International Student here.

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