Game Design and Development, Master of Science (Technology)

Description

Game Design and Development is a multidisciplinary major in the globally recognised Aalto School of Science. As the top game design and development programme in Finland, the major offers a unique mix of courses exploring both the artistic and technical aspects of game development. This major produces visionary, out-of-the-box thinkers with the ambition to push the boundaries of game design.

Using a project-based, “hands-on with minds-on” approach, the major cultivates a strong community of select students from highly diverse backgrounds. The programme welcomes students with any Bachelor’s degree who have experience in game development or have other applicable skills. Accepted students have included programmers, 3D artists, animators, UX designers, creative writers and sound designers – even architects and psychologists.

Upon graduating from the Game Design and Development major, you will have:

• A wealth of skills and knowledge fueled by latest research, technologies and design tools. The programme’s “hands-on with minds-on” approach will deepen your existing expertise and build a strong cross-disciplinary skillset based on your personal interests.
• A deep understanding of games and game players from a psychological and behavioural viewpoint. You will be able to analyse and design games that are entertaining and engaging from an emotional and cognitive perspective.
• A visionary mindset to shape the future of games. You will build the confidence and experience needed to make your unique vision come to life and bring forth a new generation of games.
• The capability to take responsibility for various design decisions. You’ll be able to effectively adjust to unforeseeable and changing situations that may arise during game design and development processes.
• The skills to thrive in creative collaboration, concept development, design and project realisation. You will build the strong interpersonal skills developed through multiple games created in teams. You’ll be ready to carry out creative work as part of culturally diverse and transdisciplinary teams.
• The readiness to work in the Nordic game industry. During your studies, you will be introduced to the unique, low hierarchy working culture in the Nordic game industry.
• An extensive portfolio of games. You will have a strong portfolio of completed projects, which will help you break into the game industry or leverage your current career path.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction in the Game Design and Development major is English.

Tuition fees and scholarships

The tuition fee for this programme is 17 000 euros per academic year. Citizens of European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland do not pay tuition fees. Citizens of other countries must pay tuition fees.

Aalto University offers a small number of scholarships in the form of tuition fee waivers to fee-paying students. Scholarships can be awarded to the highest-achieving applicants based on the programme's evaluation criteria. Applicants are ranked according to the criteria outlined on the programme's webpage.

More information on tuition fees and scholarships at Aalto University is available at the Scholarships and Tuition Fees webpage.

Structure of studies

The Master’s Programme in Computer, Communication and Information Sciences (CCIS) and the major Game Design and Development comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. The two-year programme consists of:

• Major (40–60 ECTS)
• Possible minor (20–25 ECTS)
• Elective studies (25–30 ECTS)
• Master's thesis (30 ECTS)

In the programme, you will have considerable freedom to put together a study plan based on your specific areas of interest. The compulsory courses will give you a broad understanding of game design and set the foundation for your unique expression. Optional courses will allow you to complement your core competencies with fields such as 3D animation, interactive storytelling, human-computer interaction, and machine learning and AI.

Additionally, you may choose courses from all Aalto schools according to your personal study plan. We strongly suggest that you venture outside your comfort zone, as the greatest ideas often happen at the intersection of disciplines.

Throughout the courses in the Game Design and Development major, you will be immersed in a wide range of topics such as level design, game balancing, games user research, industry trends, and game design psychology. The programme’s extensive curriculum includes courses such as:

• Games Now!
• Game Design
• Advanced Topics in Game Design
• Science of Game Design
• Game Tools and Technology
• Game Project I & II

Our curricula are designed for full-time students. While master's students often work part-time during academic terms or full-time in the summer, full-time work during academic terms is discouraged. Part-time work requires careful planning and extra effort, as not most courses are available online or every year.

While there may be courses that are available online, as a general guideline, studies at Aalto University School of Science require on-campus attendance.

More information on the programme content and curriculum can be found in the Student Guide.

Learning methods

The programme follows a “hands-on with minds-on” approach that forms a dynamic combination of theory and practice. Through various group projects, you will develop your communication and negotiation skills as well as advanced project management skills. In the Game Project I & II courses, you will pitch, design, develop and publish games together with others.

Teaching is based on cutting-edge research and science on both game design and emerging technologies, exemplified by alumni-led startups such as Valo Motion. The teacher network includes both game industry professionals and games scholars. The programme also welcomes internationally acclaimed visiting specialists and guest speakers.

Other learning methods include excursions to game companies, industry and peer feedback, as well as thesis advisors from the industry. There are also multiple visits organised to international game industry events in Finland and abroad during the studies.

Specialisations

The nature of the Game Design and Development major is multidisciplinary, and you will be helped to craft a personalised study plan based on your background, goals and interests. Your study plan can also include a minor on any relevant topic such as entrepreneurship, Virtual Reality, or 3D animation.

Internationalisation

As the game industry in Finland and abroad is strongly international, the topics and themes in the Game Design and Development major are universal and global. The major will prepare you to thrive as a top-level expert in any country in the world, with a focus on Nordic game development culture and values such as diversity, equality, and relatively flat hierarchies. As the major attracts a high number of talented students from all over the world, you will also be a part of an international community of highly skilled students.

In addition, you can develop your global competencies by:

• Spending a semester at one of Aalto University’s partner universities around the globe
• Taking a summer course abroad
• Carrying out practical training abroad
• Carrying out master’s thesis research abroad
• Acting as a tutor for first-year students

Moreover, Aalto University is international by nature, welcoming thousands of degree and exchange students from abroad every year. These students join the diverse Aalto community not only through studies but also via multiple free time events, celebrations and extracurricular activities around the campus. Active tutoring programs and support services work hard to help international students integrate into the Nordic culture and feel at home in Finland.

Further study opportunities

Completion of the MSc (Tech.) degree makes you eligible to apply for doctoral studies, for example, in the School of Science at Aalto University or other universities in Finland or abroad.

Career opportunities

Students graduating from the programme are valued employees amongst Finnish and Nordic game companies as well as abroad.

Typical career paths can be divided into three main categories:

• Working in a game studio as, for example, a game designer, programmer, (technical) artist, user researcher, producer, or scriptwriter.
• Taking an entrepreneurial path and starting one’s own company. Our best student games, such as Pako, Shadow Bug, and Fashion Police Squad have enjoyed worldwide success and critical acclaim.
• Following an academic path and becoming a researcher in the field.

Here’s what some notable Finnish game companies say about the program:

“I studied at Aalto University myself more than 20 years ago and now I’m very happy to see programs like Game Design and Development that provide a very relevant basis for working in the game industry. We already have several people here at Remedy who have graduated from this program such as Sebastian Eriksson (Alan Wake 2 Core Engine Lead) and Anne-Marie Grönroos (Alan Wake 2 Lead Mission Designer). Hoping to see many of you visiting our office in Espoo!”

Joonas Tamminen

Executive Producer of Alan Wake 2 by Remedy Entertainment

https://www.remedygames.com/

“Many of us at Valo Motion have an Aalto University background, with a notable number from our development team having graduated from the exceptional Game Design and Development program at Aalto.

We’re eager to organize a live tour and game testing sessions for you during your studies. Take a peek at our office, discover what it’s like to work at Valo Motion, and see what we’re passionate about in our welcome video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6oxGbFQu8g

The Finnish gaming industry is full of fascinating companies, and we’re sure you’ll discover exciting opportunities here!”

Raine Kajastila

CEO of Valo Motion

https://www.valomotion.com/

Research focus

There are a number of research groups at Aalto focusing on games from different perspectives. Topics include but are not limited to gameplay innovation through emerging technologies, exergaming, motivation and emotion in games, the study of games as created (game design praxiology), and the interplay between game mechanics and game narrative. Aalto researchers are also applying and utilising games in various contexts like medical technology and design games, and many students have found internship and thesis positions in Aalto research groups.

Co-operation with other parties

Game design is a multidisciplinary field by nature, bringing together experts from various backgrounds. The programme embraces a multidisciplinary approach that supports the development of “T-shaped” skills, providing you the benefits of both specialisation and generalisation. The programme strongly embraces collaboration across disciplines, which fosters creativity and provides you with a breadth of knowledge. All students are encouraged to take on individual study paths, enabled by the large variety of elective courses available.

Overall, Aalto University is well-known for bridging disciplines of business, arts, technology and science. The lively campus and freedom of choosing elective courses across the university brings students from different fields under one roof. This spontaneous multidisciplinary environment sparks new ideas, brings enthusiasts together and gives birth to friendships, networks, and startups.

Contact information

Learning Services at Aalto University School of Science

For enquiries regarding the programme-specific application documents or studies in the programme, please contact Learning Services of Aalto University School of Science

sci.admissions@aalto.fi

Admission Services

For enquiries regarding the application process, obligatory application documents or English language proficiency, please contact Admission Services

admissions@aalto.fi