Master of Fine Arts in Game Design
MASTER’S IN GAME DESIGN: DEGREE OBJECTIVES
The educational objectives in the Master of Fine Arts in Game Design are to teach students the art and craft of game design and storytelling at the professional level, through a strict regimen consisting of lectures, seminars, and total-immersion workshops. MFA students in the game design school’s program will:
- Acquire the skills of game prototyping, playtesting, iteration, presentation, and collaboration.
- Know how to prototype multiple games regardless of technical skills.
- Know how to develop software using industry standards — including workflow, multiple platforms, and coding.
- Be able to deconstruct any game experience into formal, dramatic, and dynamic systems.
MASTER'S DEGREE IN GAME DESIGN: YEAR ONE
During the first semester students are introduced to the concept of game design by understanding the evolution of games. Students start with board and card games, then through to paper and dice games before studying recent developments from early digital games to highly-advanced 3D graphics and deep, immersive story-driven games. Students begin designing games from the very beginning, as they are asked to modify a game from its original intent. They are introduced to the world of interactive writing, beginning with concepts such as Aristotle’s Poetics and traveling through postmodern narrative.
Once a foundation in narrative theory is established, the game design school’s MFA students are then introduced to the tools, theory, and craft of storytelling in an interactive medium. They are given a foundational understanding of video games, which will create a baseline language for discussion and interaction throughout the program. Finally, students are introduced to essential game technology, which helps inform what is possible today in video games. Students also have an introduction to animation class, which is intended to give our future designers and writers a taste of what goes into the 3D animation process found in video games.
In the second semester, MFA students continue game deconstructions as a tool for deepening their understanding of game design. They also create their first original video game concept. These ideas are shared and workshopped in class, as students increase their skills and confidence in programming, narrative, and design. Students also study the history of film, giving depth to their understanding of narrative culture.
Campus Information
Los Angeles
Located in the heart of Hollywood, New York Film Academy Los Angeles offers acting, film and media degrees, programs and workshops in a variety of visual storytelling disciplines, providing students with opportunities to hone the basics of the film and entertainment crafts. Surrounded by the best film studios in Los Angeles — Universal and Warner Bros. — students participate in hands-on production workshops on the prestigious Universal Studios backlot.
Intakes
- Jan
- May
- Aug
Application Processing Time in Days: 20
Minimum English Language Requirements
English Level Description | IELTS (1.0 -9.0) | TOEFL IBT (0-120) | TOEFL CBT (0-300) | PTE (10-90) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Expert | 9 | 120 | 297-300 | 86-90 | |
Very Good | 8.5 | 115-119 | 280-293 | 83-86 | |
Very Good | 8 | 110-114 | 270-280 | 79-83 | |
Good | 7.5 | 102-109 | 253-267 | 73-79 | |
Good | 7 | 94-101 | 240-253 | 65-73 | |
Competent | 6.5 | 79-93 | 213-233 | 58-65 | |
Competent | 6 | 60-78 | 170-210 | 50-58 | |
Modest | 5.5 | 46-59 | 133-210 | 43-50 | |
Modest | 5 | 35-45 | 107-133 | 36-43 | |
Limited | 4 | 32-34 | 97-103 | 30-36 | |
Extremely Limited | < 4 | < 31 | < 93 | < 30 |
Job Opportunity Potential
NYFA Employees thrive on creativity and diversity. NYFA also brings the following perks along!
- Competitive Pay
- Vacation Time
- Sick Time
- Paid Holidays
- Health, Vision, Dental
- Long-term Disability
- Short-term Disability
- Voluntary Term Life
- Commuters Benefit
- 401k
- Flexible Schedules
- Work Life Balance
- Fun Company Events
- Check Out Equipment for Personal Projects
- Attend Screenings and Q&As
- Network and Build Professional Relationships
- Professional Development Grants
- Flexible Savings Account (FSA) - Health and Dependent
PSW Opportunity
3 Years
Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria
MASTER OF FINE ARTS
To be admitted into the Master of Fine Arts program at NYFA, students must possess a Bachelor's degree from a post-secondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education or a college or university outside of the U.S. that is recognized as a degree-granting institution by their respective governments. The ideal applicant must demonstrate a sincere passion and aptitude for visual storytelling and the ability and desire to pursue graduate-level work and scholarly research in his/her chosen discipline.
No particular major or minor is required as a prerequisite for admission, but applicants with a strong background in the visual arts are preferred. While an applicant’s GPA will be taken into consideration and is an important component of the admissions process, the strength of the candidate's Narrative Statement and Creative Portfolio is a significant determining factor for admission.
Upon submitting an initial application, applicants will be contacted by a NYFA admissions representative. The admissions representative will provide instructions on how to submit application materials.
MASTER OF ARTS
To be admitted into the Master of Arts program at NYFA, students must possess a Bachelor's degree from a post-secondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education or a college or university outside of the U.S. that is recognized as a degree-granting institution by their respective governments. The ideal applicant must demonstrate a sincere passion and aptitude for visual storytelling and the ability and desire to pursue graduate-level work and scholarly research.
No particular major or minor is required as a prerequisite for admission, but applicants with a strong background in the visual arts are preferred. While an applicant’s GPA will be taken into consideration and is an important component of the admissions process, the strength of the candidate's Narrative Statement and Creative Portfolio is a significant determining factor for admission.
Upon submitting an initial application, applicants will be contacted by a NYFA admissions representative. The admissions representative will provide instructions on how to submit application materials.
Demonstrate a certain level of English skills based on a minimum TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score. Minimum scores are:
- TOEFL = 64 or above
- IELTS = 5.0
- Duolingo = 90 or above
- Course Type: Full Time
- Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
- Duration: 02 Year
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Total Tuition Fee:
68580 USD
Annual Cost of Living: 12000 USD
Application Fee: 75 USD