Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication Introduces Undergraduate Program in Game Design and Technology
Dubai is taking a significant step towards establishing itself as a global hub for digital entertainment and interactive content with the launch of a new Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development program. The program, a joint initiative between the Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC) and the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, offers two distinct concentrations: Game Design and Game Development.
The program aligns with Dubai's broader strategy to advance its digital entertainment sector, enhancing the emirate's position as a global hub for digital media and gaming innovation. Hesham Al Olama, Director of Strategy & Performance at the Dubai Media Council, stated that the program supports the vision of building a future-ready media industry driven by local talent, fostering innovation and competitiveness in emerging media sectors.
The Game Design concentration emphasizes storytelling, world-building, visual aesthetics, and user experience, while the Game Development concentration focuses on programming, software tools, and game engines. This approach blends creative and technical aspects of game creation, nurturing skills in both the artistic and development sides of the industry.
The curriculum covers artistic and narrative techniques to enhance player experiences, and the program aims to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing global gaming sector. The program also complements the work of the recently established Dubai Films and Games Commission.
Sophie Boutros, Executive Director of MBRSC, emphasizes the importance of combining creative skills with technical knowledge in the new Game Design and Development program. She said, "The program will not only equip students with the skills to design engaging gameplay and develop optimized games using industry-standard tools but also foster a culture of innovation and creativity."
The program offers students in the region access to world-class training without having to leave the UAE. With projected global gaming revenues to continue growing, the new program positions Dubai as a hub for the next generation of game creators. The program will begin in the 2025-26 academic year.
In summary, the program offers a Bachelor of Science degree focused on game design and development, includes two key specializations, and supports Dubai’s strategy to become a leader in digital entertainment by producing skilled graduates in gaming and interactive media. The program is developed in collaboration with the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and will commence in the 2025-26 academic year.
- This Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development program, a collaboration between MBRSC and the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts, is designed to foster innovation and competitiveness in the global gaming sector, aligning with Dubai's vision to establish itself as a global hub for digital media and gaming innovation.
- The program's Game Design concentration, which focuses on storytelling, world-building, visual aesthetics, and user experience, aims to nurture skills in both the artistic and development sides of the industry, thereby fostering a culture of innovation and creativity.
- With the curriculum covering artistic and narrative techniques to enhance player experiences, the program positions Dubai as a hub for the next generation of game creators, offering students access to world-class training without having to leave the UAE, and contributing to Dubai's broader strategy for the future development of its digital entertainment sector.
