Engineering students sitting in a classroom

Master of Engineering in Game Design, Development, and Innovation

Engineer Games in a Real Studio Environment

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Locations Offered
On Campus
Time to Completion
4 semesters
Credit Hours Required
30

Master of Engineering in Game Design

Build extraordinary games and bolster your tech knowledge with Duke’s Master of Engineering in Game Design, Development, and Innovation. Learn technical foundations like C++ and Unreal Engine, gain a deeper understanding of design principles for gameplay, art, user experience and storytelling, and learn to take a game through the full production pipeline. Then, use that knowledge to advance and support fields like healthcare, education, science, and business–or to make the next great AAA or indie game.

Ernest Escobar

Our fast-paced and intense curriculum instills in students the practical and technical expertise they need in a short period of time.

- Ernesto Escobar, Director,
Duke’s Game Design, Development
and Innovation Program

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Harness Game Design Expertise for Real World Impact

Our curriculum, rooted in industry insights, equips students with a strong foundational knowledge encompassing both design and technical skills, paired with business acumen. Students will work in a real studio environment from day one and create a portfolio of work that demonstrates real-world application.

Young businessman dressed in casual shirt with vr goggles on head, gesturing as if interacting with something, testing video game or project.

This degree helps you:

  • Bring something new to gaming: Design innovative games for entertainment and beyond
  • Learn coding for game development: Become proficient in programming and using leading game engines
  • Build your portfolio: Discover what game production studios are looking for in future innovators

Become an expert in game design & development

Our faculty want to see you succeed, and they’ll make sure you have the hands-on skills you need in this fast-growing industry, whether you work in entertainment, medicine, business, policy, or beyond. You’ll get mentorship from industry veterans and graduate from a top 25 engineering school with the tools you need to make an impact on gaming.

Career potential

  • Video game design role
  • Game Engineering roles
  • Programming and developer roles
  • Salary potential

    $78,300
    to
    $200,000

    Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

    Grow Your Skills

    A gaming Master’s with purpose

    Earn a game development degree that not only equips you with the skills to craft captivating games, but also empowers you to harness your technical and creative expertise to drive tangible change. Your designed games have the potential to create a meaningful impact in areas such as:

    A woman working in a game design lab
    • Students who need to improve reading and math scores
    • Doctors who want to advance their surgical and clinical skills
    • Educators who want to teach complex science research concepts
    • Manufacturing companies that want to make onboarding faster and easier for new workers

    Get hands-on practice as you earn your degree

    Our unique studio-based program allows you to take a game from idea to publishing, learning the technical, creative, and business aspects of the industry. You will graduate having managed a full production pipeline exactly as it’s done at a real game studio. Plus, choose from electives that align with your interests like 3D animation, AI, or VR.

    Your game design degree is only 10 classes away

    These comprehensive, industry-informed courses complete your MEng in Game Development experience:

    Core classes
    • Advanced Game Design and Development
    • Critical Analysis of Video Games
    • Fundamentals of Game Design and Development
    • Management of High-Tech Industries
    • Programming for Game Development
    • Software Engineering and Systems for Game Development

    Examples of electives
    • AI in Games
    • Augmented and Virtual Reality
    • Mobile Application Development
    • Motion Capture and Animation
    • User Interface and Experience in Games

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    Go beyond gaming with coursework that takes you where you want to go

    Duke’s Master of Engineering in Game Development program is led by industry experts who are well-known for working with big-name gaming and tech companies. They will provide you with the skills you need to rise to the top — and stay there.

    Specialized career guidance and support

    Our dedicated Duke Engineering Master’s Career Services & Professional Development team helps you land game design roles that align with your skills and goals.

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    Greg Maletic

    For the good of users, for the good of design, we want people trained in this rapidly advancing field to spread these innovations throughout the business world.

    - Greg Maletic ’90,
    Director of Special Projects, Panic, Inc.;
    MEng in Game Development Advisory Board Member