If you love video games, you aren’t alone: In fact, according to a 2025 survey from the Entertainment Software Association, 60% of Americans over the age of 18 play a type of video game weekly. Clearly, it’s a massively popular pastime and, with the rise of AI and VR tech, it’s likely not going anywhere soon. But for some gamers, it’s not just enough to play — the dream is to carve a career out of video games.
No, we’re not talking about being a Twitch streamer. Instead, many people are able to turn their passion for gaming into becoming the creators themselves. If you’re tech-savvy, have an eye for visuals and a flair for storytelling, you could become a videogame designer and build your own games. All you need is the right education to make it all happen.
Here is everything to know about studying video game design, as well as how to prepare for a video game design degree in high school.
What Do Video Game Designers Major In?
You don’t technically need a bachelor’s degree to become a video game designer, but most roles list it as a requirement — and with good reason. Success in the field requires a specific set of knowledge and skills, much of which can be developed in an undergraduate program. For most aspiring video game designers, earning a bachelor’s degree is a strategic and smart choice.
If you already know that video game design is your goal, there are multiple degrees and academic pathways that can prepare you for the role. Usually, aspiring video game designers focus on technology or design, depending on their interests and strengths. Majoring in computer science or software engineering, for example, can equip you with the coding skills to build a game from the ground up. Other students gravitate toward visual storytelling through majors like animation or graphic design. Some students even pursue a degree in psychology to better understand players’ behavior and motivations.
USC offers several gaming-specific majors, including a BFA in Game Development and Interaction Design, a BFA in Game Art and a BFA in Themed Entertainment from the USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BS in Computer Science Games from the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. Each of these undergraduate programs helps build essential tools for a career in video game design, but the right choice depends on which skills you want to strengthen and the specific direction you hope to pursue.
What Skills Do Video Game Designers Need?
To succeed as a video game designer, you’ll need a combination of technical experience and creative insight, along with strong soft skills to bring it all together.
For concrete knowledge, video game designers should be proficient in several different programming languages, such as Javascript and C++, and have a strong grasp of UX and UI design. They also need to know how to write a story, including understanding narrative arcs, character development and more. In addition, video game designers typically study digital animation, level design and game engines to bring their visions to life.
But mastering the art, technology and storytelling behind games is only part of the equation. Successful video game designers also need solid communication and collaboration skills, a keen eye for detail, an interest in human behavior and, of course, plenty of imagination.
Is Video Game Design a Good Job?
If you’re passionate about gaming, this job lets you spend your days creating something you truly care about. And yes, you’ll even get paid to play as you test your own designs. With hundreds of millions of gamers worldwide, the industry continues to grow. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an 8% increase in jobs for video game designers between 2023 and 2033, which is faster than the average for all occupations. That means there are plenty of opportunities ahead.
Salaries can vary depending on your location, experience and area of focus, but the median salary in 2024 was $95,380, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics..
Of course, like any dream job, there are challenges. The field can be competitive, deadlines can be stressful and entry-level pay may not be stellar. But if you love what you do, it’s absolutely worth it.
How to Prepare for a Video Game Design Degree Program
If becoming a video game designer is your dream, it’s never too early to start preparing. While you’ll eventually want to pursue a degree program that teaches the skills and connections needed for the industry, like USC’s game-related programs listed above, there are ways to get a head start before college even begins.
One great option? A pre-college program. These programs give high school students a taste of campus life, introduce them to college-level coursework and connect them with peers who share their passions.
USC offers a pre-college experience specifically tailored for aspiring game designers: the Video Game Development summer program. In this immersive course, you’ll dive into the fundamentals of game design, including technology, storytelling, design principles and game theory. By the end, you’ll have built your very own game.
It’s a fun, hands-on way to explore the field, build early skills, play a ton of games and even earn college credit — all while getting a feel for what your future in a video game design degree path could look like.
If you’re a high school student dreaming of designing the next big game, this could be the perfect first step.
Learn more about USC Pre-College Programs today.