Game Media

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The Game Media major is for students who are interested in pursuing careers in game design and development and immersive media. It offers hands-on learning in 3D content creation, game level design and programming. The curriculum focuses on collaborative projects and industry standard tools and techniques.

Transfer Students from MDC MAGIC

Requirements for Transfer from MDC

  • GPA of 2.75 or better
  • Completion of the A.S. In Game Development and Design

Applying to FIU

For instructions on how to apply to Game Media and Animation Media programs at FIU, please see the MAGIC Application document.

MDC students who have questions about the admissions process to FIU may e-mail Kevin Mahabir at kmahabir@fiu.edu or Nicole Garay at ngaray@fiu.edu. You may also call OneStop at 305-348-7000. Be sure to tell them you are from the MDC MAGIC program and you want to transfer to the BS in Digital Communication & Media at FIU.

Curriculum for Students Applying from MDC MAGIC

Students in the Game Media major must satisfy all the following requirements as instructed.

General Education – Up to 18 credits Students transferring from Miami Dade College with an Associate in Science degree may take 18 credits to satisfy missing requirements in General Education.

Core Degree Requirements (15 credits): All students in this degree must complete a degree core that includes five courses:

  • MMC3003. Journalism & Media Orientation – 0 credits – A course designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of academic policies, procedures and requirements for matriculation and graduation from the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media.
  • MMC3303  Global Media and Society – 3 credits satisfies Global Learning – The course will familiarize students with a multi-cultural global perspective of a multi-media world. The aim of the course is to create a foundation of global media literacy.
  • MMC3123  Writing for Media   – 3 credits – Writing for Media introduces students to professional media writing in journalism, broadcasting, digital media and social media.
    –OR– 
    DIG3153. Writing for Film – 3 credits -An introductory course covering visual narrative scriptwriting for film. Students learn 3-act dramatic story structure, script elements and industry standards for developing short-form screenplays.
  • IDS3309  How We Know What We Know – 3 credits satisfies Global Learning and Gordon Rule Writing –Media literacy for digital natives.
  • MMC4200  Media Law and Ethics  – 3 credits – An in-depth examination of legal and ethical issues confronting media professionals.
  • VIC3400. Visual Design for Globalized Media – 3 credits satisfies Global Learning*  The course explores the relationship between images and messages in global media and the primary role that visual design plays in globalized media presentations. * MAGIC transfer students who have taken  DIG 1132 Digital Art and Design at MDC will get transfer credit for this course.

Major Specific Requirements (27 Credits): 

  • DIG3306. Introduction to 3D Content Creation – 3 credits – Students will create game-ready assets, including props and environments, by following the complete asset creation pipeline. They will develop foundational skills in low-poly modeling, high-to-low poly baking, UV mapping, texturing, and basic lighting. Additionally, students will learn rendering techniques and best practices for presenting their finished work in a professional format.
  • DIG3001. Intro to Digital Media – 3 credits – The history and cultural, social, economic impact of digital media.
  • DIG3715. Game Lab 1: Game Engines – 3 credits - This course will cover the fundamental principles of Game Engine programming such as basic collision detection, input detection, instantiate, and the terminology and theory behind them. Prerequisite: Admission to Game Media major or permission of instructor.
  • DIG4770. Game Lab 2: AI for Game Design – 3 credits –In this course, students will learn techniques for using AI in the design of computer games. Prerequisite: DIG 3715 and admission into Game Media major or permission of instructor.
  • DIG3727. Game Workshop 1: Game Level Design – 3 credits – Students will examine the process of level layout, become familiar with the conceptsof pathing and reveals, and recognize the importance of the use of modularity andelevation. Prerequisite: Admission to Game Media major or permission of instructor.
  • DIG4961. Game Workshop 2: Building Game Environments – 3 credits Students will analyze and build 3D-environments for digital games, focusing on the implementation of techniques in the production of modular environments. Prerequisite: DIG 3727 and admission to Game Media Major or permission of the instructor.
  • DIG4950. Game Media Project – 3 credits -Students will research, develop, and produce a prototype for a digital game in any format. Prerequisite: DIG 3715 and DIG 4961 and acceptance into Game Media major or permission of instructor.
  • DIG4800. Digital Theories – 3 credits– This course explores the ideas driving our understanding of digital media
  • DIG4552. Advanced Multimedia Production Capstone – 3 credits – Students will continue the development of their approved pitch project, collaborating with peers from the Game Media or Animation Media programs to refine and finalize their work. The project will culminate in a polished presentation for the student premiere at the end of the term.

School of Journalism & Media Electives: Students in the Game Media major who have satisfied all of their General Education, Core Degree and Major-Specific requirements and who are still shy of the 120 credits needed to graduate, may choose any course at the 3000/4000 level from ADV, COM, DIG, JOU, MMC, PUR, RTV, SPC.

General Education – Up to 18 credits Students transferring from Miami Dade College with an Associate in Science degree may take 18 credits to satisfy missing requirements in General Education.

Freshmen and Sophomore Students at FIU

Applying to FIU and Admission to the Major

Students who select Game Media as a major when they apply to FIU from high school must meet the following criteria to be admitted to the major:

  • GPA of 2.75 or greater

Beginning Fall 2025, students should take these courses as pre-requisites for the upper-level courses in Animation Media.

  • DIG 2321 Intro to 3D Modeling – 3 credits – This course introduces students to the fundamentals of 3D modeling for use in game development and animation. Students will learn essential techniques in creating 3D assets, including modeling, texturing, and optimizing for real-time applications. By the end of the course, students will have the skills to build and prepare game-ready models and animation assets. Prerequisite: Prerequisites: Admission into the Game Media or Animation Media major or permission from the instructor.
  • Intro to Game Design and Development
  • DIG 2729 Game Engine Programming 1 – 3 credits – This beginner-level course introduces students to game engine programming using C++, C#, and Unity, focusing on the foundational concepts and tools needed for game development. Students will learn how to write scripts, develop game mechanics, and integrate assets within Unity, one of the industry’s leading game engines. By the end of the course, students will be able to create simple interactive games and understand the programming logic behind game engines.
  • DIG 2426 Conceptual Storytelling – 3 credits – This course introduces students to the fundamentals of conceptual storytelling for animation, focusing on narrative structure, character development, and visual storytelling techniques. Students will learn how to develop compelling stories, create engaging characters, and translate these ideas into visual concepts for animated projects. By the end of the course, students will be able to craft a cohesive story concept, preparing them for the animation pipeline and project development.
  • DIG 2592 User Interface Design – 3 credits – This course introduces students to the principles and techniques of creating intuitive and engaging user interfaces for animation and gaming applications. Students will learn how to design and implement UI elements such as menus, buttons, icons, and HUDs (heads-up displays) that enhance user experience and gameplay interaction. By the end of the course, students will be able to design functional and visually appealing UI elements using industry-standard tools.