Content and structure

Course content.

Students learn the key elements of Game Design. This enables them to put their gaming skills to good use in digital worlds, and in doing so make a mark not only in the video game industry but also in related fields. 

The course covers topics such as game writing, interactive storytelling, drawing, 3D modelling and animation, level design, sound design, usability and interface design, production methods, game rules, game mechanics, game play, game concept design, analysis and history, serious & applied games, game business, scripting, programming, game logic and artificial intelligence.

Course structure.

Games in society
Students examine the diverse relationships and interactions between digital game culture and social trends. They exploit new areas of potential for video games and look for overlaps with other media and cultural areas. They learn about economic and legal aspects of game design and gain insights into many work areas while on excursions and in lectures related to the practice of the digital creative industry.

Game narration & storytelling
Students learn the theory, methodology and practice of narration and plots, and how to design digital worlds. 

Game analysis & game mechanics
Learn the rules and mechanics of game design in theory, applied analysis and practice. Put your game ideas to the test in prototypes.

Game visuals & sounds
Try out audio-visual methods and techniques in your own individual trademark style: For example, by visualizing your ideas with drawings, graphical user interfaces, animated 3D modelling, texturization and lighting, post-production and procedurally generated graphics; in sound design with the analysis and design of auditive experiences. 

Game technologies & projects
Students meet the technological prerequisites for executable games and innovative prototypes, and in large and longer-term project contexts as well. They explore the ins and outs of game engines and experiment with interfaces, controller design, virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

Theory & context
The major covers specialization-specific scientific and theoretical basics as well as evaluations and findings from applied game design. The major-specific content is supplemented with a department-wide range of courses. 

Practical work with other majors
Learn how to act and work in interdisciplinary design teams. Students formulate and implement joint ideas on a current issue, learn how to communicate design processes, and get across their understanding of design in discussions with others. 

Graduation project
Realize a graduation project: The practical work includes a fully functional game or a prototype in your own trademark style; the written work documents the research and design process. Support is provided in the form of mentoring sessions.

Skills acquired in the course.

  • Design, develop and implement independent, computer-based interactive entertainment products
  • Cover essential professional fields of the games industry and, at a minimum, fulfil the requirements of entry-level positions
  • Support all disciplines that have close links with digital gaming worlds
  • Skills as a 3D game artist and in the areas of character design, storyboarding, game concept design and project management 
  • Analytical and conceptual knowledge of game analysis and rules, game mechanics and patterns, game concepts and game logic 
  • Practice of game development in level design, game play, balancing and play testing 
  • Basic IT knowledge, game programming and scripting, dealing with game engines and game editors

Admissions requirements.

You are interested in developing video games and already have relevant basic knowledge:

  • Design skills
  • Initial experience with the mechanics and rules of games
  • Initial experience with game-relevant technology and programming
  • Creative potential 
  • Able to critically reflect on innovation and its social relevance 

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

The outstanding infrastructure at ZHdK enables students to experiment with a range of technologies and is also a unique source of information on gaming history and theory.

  • Game Lab 
  • Game Archive 

Moreover, graduates benefit from the research environment of their subject area with the following core subjects:

  • Game studies 
  • Serious and applied games 

Working alongside lecturers and research associates, students explore and answer innovative research questions in collaboration with international partners.

Studying at ZHdK offers you a wealth of benefits.

  • Take your future in hand: You enjoy a contemporary, interdisciplinary, highly specialized education. 
  • You have access to the Toni Campus. This centre for education and culture combines all disciplines under one roof and is unparalleled in its dimensions anywhere in Europe. 
  • ZHdK regularly puts on projects and events. 
  • You benefit from professional networks and collaborations with the creative industry and other educational institutions in Switzerland and abroad.