For students and young adults interested in a career in the gaming industry, the University of Southern California features one of the most top-rated Game Design schools in North America (Princeton Review).
Danny Bilson is the Director of USC Games and Chair of the Interactive Media Game Design Division. He brings a wealth of experience from the entertainment industry, including major game publishers such as Electronic Arts and THQ, as well as being a screenwriter, producer, and showrunner for television, film, and comics.
“Our students take the first step in their development journey at USC,” says Bilson. “We’re very fortunate to have over two decades of USC Games alumni in all facets of the industry who actively share their insights and open doors for current and future students. We regularly welcome visits from top game studios such as Rockstar Games, Riot, Microsoft, Sony, Tencent, Epic, Electronic Arts, as well as top independent studios, to recruit and inform students.”
The USC Games program, a division of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, includes undergraduate and graduate Fine Arts degrees in Game Art, Game Development, and Themed Entertainment. Students can also specialize and minor in Games and Health, Game Audio, Game Entrepreneurism, User Research, cultural studies, and Immersive Media (virtual reality), covering a wide range of positions and roles within a complex, and exponentially growing industry.
“At USC Games, students have agency to pursue their own unique combination of industry skills,” says Bilson. “USC offers opportunities to study music, production, communications, the business of games, and more. All of those roles involve collaboration, and in school, students can try multiple roles to better understand and succeed in team settings in their careers.”
Teamwork Makes the Game Work
Collaboration is key for success in the gaming industry, and Bilson recommends taking any classes that involve group projects to help prepare students for an undergraduate degree. “I also recommend courses and summer programs where students can make board games or digital games. Outside of school, there are free tools like UEFN, Unity, Roblox, and Twine, where younger students interested in making games can get a head start on learning and creating.”
For example, anyone can create an account at the website Unity Learn. At Unity Learn, users can take free interactive courses to learn one of the most popular and user-friendly game engines available. The beginner course, “Design and Publish Your Original Game,” is taught by USC Games professors, and walks through the full production cycle, from design and prototyping to final release.
For younger kids and teens, Bilson suggests modifying board and card game designs around the house. “Changing a couple of the rules to see how that affects the game is a great way to explore game design with your family.”
Collaboration is crucial in a volatile industry. In 2024 alone, the games industry has lost 13,000 jobs from post-pandemic restructuring, and many game studios have been shuttered.
“The layoffs and closures mean that we as an industry need to create new opportunities and jobs to grow, and there’s no doubt we’ll see it happen,” says Bilson. “The entertainment industry is massive, and throughout their professional careers, students will get to work with lots of different people and create new technologies that don’t exist yet.”
Bilson is optimistic for the industry’s future, and his students’ prospects: “We’re focused on cultivating leaders who we hope will create opportunities to grow our industry. Among the first hired back, along with veterans, are well-trained, entry-level people — and our graduates are extremely well trained.”
USC also has its own Esports program through USC Trojan Esports, including multiple varsity teams, tournaments, and entire productions. But young people interested in a career in Esports should know this exciting industry is about more that just the athletes themselves. “Like traditional sports, the most viable careers are in media, marketing, distribution, and monetization of esports, versus being an esports player,” says Bilson.
USC also features numerous gaming clubs for more casual gaming. Budding game designers like to play games, too!
It’s easy for kids to like games, and increasingly easier to get them excited about game design. Nurturing their creativity, collaboration, and ambition sets them on a path toward a passionate, successful career. “Game design is for everyone,” says Bilson. “And like all of the arts, perseverance is key. Setbacks happen to all of us, and we hope to inspire our students to push through to find their own success stories.”
Prospective students and parents can register for events in the Fall to learn more about the School of Cinematic Arts at USC, as well as In-Person and Virtual Information Sessions.
