What’s the Value of a Gaming Concentration?

Creating a video game takes varied skills and strengths — from concepting and writing the storyline to developing the game’s look, feel and functionality.

If you’re considering a game design and development degree, you may notice that some programs offer concentrations that align with the different stages of game development.

Choosing a concentration can help position you for the part of the game development process that interests you most.

What Are the 3 Concentrations of Gaming?

Game art, game design and game programming make up three primary concentrations within a bachelor’s degree in game design and development.

In addition to taking introductory courses in each subject, gaming students at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) choose one of the concentrations to specialize in, according to Max Callahan, an associate dean of game design and development at SNHU.

“Each discipline requires significant learning, and the concentration courses help students graduate with portfolios that showcase targeted skills and work samples aligned with the roles they want to pursue,” he said.

Game Art

A highly visual concentration, game art courses involve concept art, 3D modeling, environmental design, animation and more.

When Callahan joined SNHU a decade ago, he brought with him his experience working in an animation studio — and, before that, an art department in the live action film industry.

“I’m a game artist by background, so I really love the character animation and rigging course, creature design, character design — those are really exciting for me,” he said.

Game Design

Meant for storytellers with ideas, courses within a game design concentration can introduce you to worldbuilding, gameplay mechanics, player interaction and more.

Read more: What Does a Game Designer Do?

Game Programming

The game programming concentration is all about learning to build interactive experiences with programming languages, system logic, game engines and more.

Read more: What Do Programmers Do?

How to Choose a Gaming Concentration

You’re probably not new to gaming if you’re thinking about a degree in the subject. So, when it comes time to choose your concentration, think about your favorite games. What do you enjoy most about them?

"Students should think about what draws their attention most while playing,” Callahan said. For instance, he suggested the following combinations of concentration and interests:

• Game Art: If characters, creatures, weapons or vehicles stand out to you
• Game Design: If you're most interested in a game’s story or worldbuilding
• Game Programming: If you're curious about how controller or keyboard inputs create actions such as jumping, moving or firing a weapon

While choosing a concentration that keeps you excited throughout your program is important, you’ll also want to think about your strengths, Callahan noted.

“Those who see themselves as creative may want to explore game design or game art, while students who are more logical or enjoy solving puzzles may find game programming or game design especially appealing," he said.

You still might not know which concentration is right for you — and that’s okay. The game design and development program at SNHU, for instance, begins with courses that introduce you to each option.

“The structure of the program allows students to change concentrations after completing these courses if they find another area is a better fit,” Callahan said. The number of credits you’ve earned will remain the same, as will your anticipated graduation date.

Is the Gaming Industry Growing or Dying?

Consumer spending on video games in the U.S. has increased from $30.2 billion in 2015 to $60.8 billion in 2025, according to the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). That’s a 101% increase in demand in just a decade. Spending has reached an all-time high, ESA noted, second only to the $61.2 billion spent in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although the growth has been rapid, it’s no secret that artificial intelligence (AI) is challenging the way the industry operates, just as it’s done across all industries.

According to Callahan, AI is already being implemented throughout the game development pipeline — and he expects that to continue. But he pointed out the fundamental role humans will always play in this work.

“The goal of game development is to create experiences that players want to play, and AI cannot determine on its own whether a game is fun, engaging or meaningful,” Callahan said.

Game development draws on all kinds of technology — including and beyond artificial intelligence. While learning the various software involved in the industry can feel intimidating, Callahan noted, you’ll be introduced to them gradually throughout your courses.

And, at SNHU, you’ll also have access to a Game Resource Hub. Available to all game design and development students, Callahan said that the Game Resource Hub will help students stay on top of the software they’ll explore in their program — as well as new tools as they come out.

Tech is critical when it comes to producing a video game. But so is human collaboration.

“Technology, including AI, provides important tools, but designers, artists and programmers bring those tools together to create games that come to life for players,” Callahan said.

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing at SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn.