School of Interactive Games and Media


School of
Interactive Games
and Media
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- Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences/
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Overview
The School of Interactive Games and Media (IGM) comprises faculty from a variety of academic backgrounds with a shared interest in computing as it relates to interactive media, games, simulations, VR/AR, experimental interfaces, and media-centric systems of all varieties. IGM provides an educational environment that supports and encourages creative and collaborative academic inquiry by both faculty and students. IGM’s programs, coursework, research, and development efforts provide students with the knowledge and skills to pursue meaningful and rewarding careers in media-centric, interactive software development, while simultaneously advancing the field and helping to provide a well-rounded educational experience.
We are currently hiring a Tenure Track Faculty Member.
Information about our degrees:
Curricula and course descriptions:
- New Media Interactive Development BS (partners with New Media Design BFA)
- Game Design and Development BS (scroll down to see BS/MS option)
- Game Design and Development MS
- Both game degrees partner with Game Arts in the College of Art and Design.
For more information, see the following:
What our students do
Research and Scholarship
For our tenure-track applicants, check out:
- IGM Research
- Key Research Areas in Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences
- Research at RIT

State-of-the-art facilities and technology

Community of engaged students and faculty

Renowned co-op program

High job placement rate in computing fields
Top 10
One of the best game design and development programs in the nation, according to Princeton Review
96%
Job placement rate since 1998
$10k
Won by our national championship-winning Dota 2 Esports team
Latest News
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January 9, 2023
Building an esports community
Hundreds of millions of people around the globe are engaging in electronic sports, called esports. It’s a billion dollar industry, where fans watch as their favorite professional and amateur players take each other on in some of the most popular video games. Since starting an esports club in 2016, RIT has become one of the nation’s largest and best collegiate esports programs.
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January 9, 2023
Staying busy between semesters
During the 15 weeks between spring and fall semester, RIT students are finding ways to embrace new challenges. Some are taking the stage and performing. Others are winning club championships. For many, summer is a time to get work experience and participate in research projects, traveling abroad, and helping others while pursuing their passions.
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December 22, 2022
A Brief Jewish History of the Toy and Game Industry: Nuremberg, Germany
Steve Jacobs, professor in the School of Interactive Games and Media, wrote a blog post for The Strong Museum about the Jewish history of the toy and game industry.
Featured Work
The Shattering Swords
Kyle Weekley, Trenton Plager, John Vance, Rudy Zhang, Nick Engell (Development Team); Sofia Brognara, Xy Hilbrink, Effy Ma, Michal Zadok, Effie Wang, Kesavan Shanmugasundaram (Art Team)
Winner of the RIT Student Game Showcase 2022 “Technical Excellence” category, this 3rd-person action game is centered around a real-time weapon-switching combat system.
Boiling Over
Veronica Vitale, Gavriel Miles, Rye Ress, Emily Horton, Abby Cavalluzzi, Savvy Blaum, Connie McGinnis
Winner of the RIT Student Game Showcase 2022 “Game Impact” category, this game allows players to experience the effects of misgendering and transphobia on mental health.
Paper Planet
William Barrett, Karl Trollinger
Winner of the RIT Student Game Showcase 2022 “Best in Show” award, this 2D planet-defense game has a strong emphasis on fun item combos and ease of play.
Undergraduate Programs
The game design and development major empowers students to explore the entertainment technology landscape and related areas, while still pursuing a broad-based university education. The degree is intended specifically for students who aspire to hold careers within the professional games industry or a related field, such as simulation, edutainment, or visualization.
Nationally ranked as a top school for video game design by The Princeton Review, you'll be prepared for a dynamic career within the professional games industry or a related field such as simulation, edutainment, or visualization.
Learn more about the Game Design and Development BS programA degree in interactive media adapts digital technologies for social software, wearable devices, touch interfaces, virtual/augmented reality, the internet, and more.
Learn more about the New Media Interactive Development BS programGraduate Programs
The Master of Science degree in game design and development covers the breadth of the game development field through course work in topics such as computer graphics, game engines, interactive narrative, and game design. The degree is specifically for students who aspire to careers within the professional gaming industry or a related field such as simulation, edutainment, or visualization.
Ranked as the #6 program in the nation by The Princeton Review as one of the best game design master's degrees in the U.S.
Learn more about the Game Design and Development MS programMinors and Immersions
Free and open source software is released with licenses that allow it to be redistributed freely for others to use, copy, and/or modify within certain restrictions and conditions. Free culture refers to writing, art, music, and other creative materials released with rights for reuse and/or redistribution that are more flexible than those of the traditional marketplace. Both are often created and/or distributed by collaborative teams with members around the world. The minor in free and open source software and free culture is intended for students who want to develop a deep understanding of the processes, practices, technologies, financial, legal, and societal impacts of these movements. The minor includes a set of computing and liberal arts courses that explore these aspects through research, analysis, and participation in these communities via the creation of digital cultural artifacts and team-driven software projects. Students complete three required courses, one constrained elective course, and one elective course.
Learn more about the Free and Open Source Software and Free Culture Minor programBusiness, the arts, the sciences, and the humanities now rely on work that is “open," work that is released in a manner that allows it to be shared, copied, and improved upon by its users. Open Source Software powers the internet and the World Wide Web, Open Data, and Open GIS mapping. All of these are at the core of most digital humanities projects. Creative Commons licenses allow artists, musicians, and writers to collaborate more freely by altering the “all on or all off” conditions of copyright. The Open Hardware of the Raspberry Pi and Arduino board drive the maker movement and interactive arts.
Learn more about the Free Culture and Free and Open Source Computing Immersion programThe game design and development minor is intended for students studying in a technical field who want to combine their knowledge and skill in software development with the media-centric approach to application design that is exemplified in the professional games and simulation industries. The minor defines a series of courses that build upon students’ existing knowledge in computing, physics, and mathematics to explore the design principles of games and interactive worlds through the creation of prototypes and software projects.
Learn more about the Game Design and Development Minor programThe game design minor is intended for students outside of technical computing majors who want to explore the process and principles of game design and the associated theories of interactive media. The minor provides an introductory experience to media-centric software development that enables students to prototype and test their own designs.
Learn more about the Game Design Minor programAs the world grows in complexity and interconnectedness, new challenges arise in visually representing, reasoning, and making sense of spatially-oriented problems and data. The geographic information systems immersion allows students to study geographic problem solving and scientific inquiry from an interdisciplinary perspective of interactive, digital mapping tools and related digital data problem solving technologies. Students are introduced to geographic mapping concepts and theory, digital cartography, geographic problem solving with geospatial and related computer tools, geospatial technology ethics and application of GIS to global problems such as natural disasters.
Learn more about the Geographic Information Systems Immersion programThe geographic information systems (GIS) minor provides students with experience in the concepts, technology, and applications related to computer-based mapping, spatial databases, and geographic analysis and problem solving. The minor features two tracks: a GIS development track for students interested in GIS software development, and a GIS analysis track for students interested in utilizing GIS as a strong methodological base within their major of study. Required courses provide core GIS foundations applicable to a variety of multidisciplinary elective courses students can choose from to match their research, post-graduate, or career interests.
Learn more about the Geographic Information Systems Minor programStudent Resources
Here you will find additional resources for the School of Interactive Games and Media, such as advising, student gallery, lab resources, etc.
Future Undergraduate Students
Future Graduate Students
Undergraduate Academic Advising
Student Experience
Student Gallery
Media Labs
Labs and Technology Resources
The faculty and staff in IGM are looking forward to working with you during your college career.
View first year student details
RIT Student Game Showcase and Expo
Sponsored by IGM, the RIT Student Game Showcase and Expo brings together students, faculty, alumni, and industry professionals to celebrate the achievements of RIT student-led design teams.
During this annual celebration, student games are reviewed in a variety of categories by panels of academic and industry experts. Winners are announced during the live showcase towards the end of the spring semester. Additionally, we host an expo before the live showcase where students are able to show off their games or new media projects to the public.
Industrial Advisory Board
The IGM Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) consists of a broad range of industry representatives. The board helps us stay current with industry trends, offering insight on everything from curriculum to teaching methods. IAB plays an integral role in helping us maintain a balanced, vibrant school.