Overview

In 1965, the University of California, Irvine was founded with a mission to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and dedicated public service. Today, we draw on the unyielding spirit of our pioneering faculty, staff and students who arrived on campus with a dream to inspire change and generate new ideas. We believe that true progress is made when different perspectives come together to advance our understanding of the world around us. And we enlighten our communities and point the way to a better future. At UCI, we shine brighter.

BS in Game Design and Interactive Media

UCI’s Game Design and Interactive Media program prepares students to be innovative designers, developers, and industry leaders. Taught by internationally-recognized faculty and industry experts, the program’s unique two-year foundation includes hands-on courses in worldbuilding, game design and development, game programming, and game studies. Students then pursue advanced coursework that culminates in a two-quarter capstone project supported by industry mentors. Electives in advanced game design and development, programming, storytelling, games entrepreneurship, and the cultural aspects of games offer students the chance to build a portfolio that reflects their individual interests and career goals. The program explores both established and emerging platforms, including AR/VR, tabletop, and mobile. Located in Silicon Beach, our students benefit from access to industry partners like Blizzard, Riot, Electronic Arts, Obsidian Entertainment, Age of Learning, Disney, Tencent, and the Cartoon Network.

Computer Game Science

A wide variety of careers and graduate programs are open to Computer Game Science (CGS) graduates. The video game industry is comparable in size to the film and music industries, and job growth projections are strong for people with strong technical backgrounds. Many other fields, including mobile software development, interactive entertainment, and training and education software have demand for similar skill sets and knowledge. CGS graduates are well-trained in computer science, and can thus pursue graduate programs or any career that involves designing, implementing, evaluating, or interacting with computer-based systems.

Esports

UCI is the first public university to create an official esports program and is regarded as one of the best and most comprehensive in the world.

The vision for the esports program was born in the summer of 2015. With a successful Computer Game Science major, a thriving gaming community, and a history of elite competition, UCI is a natural place for esports to thrive. Working with student leaders, faculty, UCI’s gaming community and forward-thinking administration, the esports program was announced in the spring of 2016. On September 23, 2016, the UCI Esports Arena powered by iBUYPOWER was opened, and UCI offered scholarships to its first League of Legends teams.

Scholarship Teams

We have scholarship teams for League of Legends, Overwatch, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, some of the most popular esports today. We provide the coaching and support staff necessary for our players to regularly compete for championships and maintain a healthy life balance. In 2018, we were the College League of Legends champions and competed in the Fiesta Bowl Overwatch National Championships, UCI’s first-ever bowl game. We also support our student-led club teams and celebrate their success.

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