School of Interactive Games and Media


School of
Interactive Games
and Media
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Contact
Overview
Spring 2020 Virtual Accepted Open House
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.

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 15, 2021
New economy majors connect with emerging careers
Analytical thinking, complex problem solving, creativity, resiliency, and flexibility are among the top skills needed for emerging careers by 2025. Anticipating these rapid changes in the workplace—further accelerated by lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic—RIT is seizing on the opportunity to guide students to “new economy majors” that are multidisciplinary, transformative, and future-focused.
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January 11, 2021
5 careers that command over $100,000 per year — and don’t require you to go to med school
Mic mentions the School of Interactive Games and Media, highlighting the game design and development program.
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December 15, 2020
Connections: Discussing the gaming industry during the pandemic and its potential for the future
WXXI’s “Connections” program features Rob Mostyn, digital games hub coordinator in MAGIC, and Jenn Hinton, associate director of the MAGIC Center.
Featured Work
Mytholympics
Zhehui Qian, Nathaniel Blair, Akshay Rachapudi, Austin Willoughby
Mytholympics: Ancient Gods Compete for Social Media Fame
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 Game Design and Development BSA degree in interactive media adapts digital technologies for social software, wearable devices, touch interfaces, virtual/augmented reality, the internet, and more.
Learn More about New Media Interactive Development BSGraduate 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 in the top 10 nationally by both U.S. News and Animation Career Review as one of the best game design master's degrees in the U.S.
Learn More about Game Design and Development MSMinors 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 Free and Open Source Software and Free Culture MinorThe 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 Game Design and Development MinorThe 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 Game Design MinorAs 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 Geographic Information Systems ImmersionThe 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 Geographic Information Systems MinorStudent 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
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.