Game Development and Research (Master of Arts)

This English-language, interdisciplinary master's program trains the next generation of innovators in the digital content sector. It brings together artistic and technical approaches to prepare graduates who will shape non-linear audio and interactive media for current markets while also driving fresh aesthetic and commercial directions in the industry. The curriculum is oriented toward creative experimentation as well as professional application, welcoming approaches from both artistic and technical perspectives.

The course is aimed at early-career media professionals — designers, filmmakers, visual artists, authors and other creative practitioners — and also welcomes applicants from related technical backgrounds such as computer science. Its compact structure is deliberately designed to let students combine study with professional activity: required on-campus attendance takes place in the evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays, making part-time work feasible alongside the program.

Requirements (concise)

• Instruction language: English
• Intended applicants: young media professionals (designers, filmmakers, visual artists, authors, creative talents) and related technical backgrounds (including computer science)
• Focus: producing non-linear audio/interactive content and advancing aesthetic and economic innovation in the digital content industry
• Attendance: required presence on Monday and Wednesday evenings (compact schedule allows for part-time employment)

This compact Master's curriculum blends academic study with hands-on project work so students can continue professional employment while studying. The curriculum pairs theoretical modules — covering methodology, systematics, research, experimentation, interpretation, and criticism — with training in clear expression across spoken, written, visual, and audiovisual formats. Project phases receive close, individual supervision to help students invent original aesthetic and narrative approaches for nonlinear audiovisual forms.

Project work is structured around concrete briefs: tasks with specific goals, budget constraints, and multidisciplinary teams. This environment develops practical workplace abilities such as communication, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, and technical skills, alongside creative design and prototyping. Seminars, tutorials and critiques take an interdisciplinary stance, assessing aesthetic outcomes and examining the cultural and intercultural impacts of games.

Students are also encouraged to reflect on ethical and social responsibilities as creators, learning how games shape perceptions of reality and public attitudes. The programme prepares graduates to contribute new aesthetic ideas to game development and positively influence how games are received in society.

Key modules and requirements

• Thematic focuses (core modules)

  • Game design
  • Visual aesthetics
  • Game economics and entrepreneurship
  • Interactive storytelling
  • Analogue and digital prototyping
  • Video game and media studies

• Primary learning outcomes

  • Mastery of research methods, systematics, experimentation, and critical interpretation
  • Ability to communicate ideas effectively across verbal, written, visual and audiovisual media
  • Capacity to design original aesthetic and narrative solutions for nonlinear formats
  • Practical project-management skills including working to budgets and goal-oriented planning
  • Enhanced teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and relevant technical competencies
  • Critical understanding of games’ cultural impact and creators’ social responsibilities

• Study load and schedule expectations

  • Approximately 12 contact hours per week on average (does not include project work and independent study)
  • Academic week includes one core day with courses from 10:00–21:00 and a secondary day with two evening classes
  • Estimate at least 12 additional hours per week for self-study when holding a side job; experience suggests not exceeding 20 working hours per week to maintain balance

Graduates are prepared for creative and leadership roles within the digital content and games industries, such as game designer, narrative designer, creative director, producer, indie developer, or studio entrepreneur. The programme’s mix of practical project work, prototyping, portfolio development and training in game economics and entrepreneurship supports careers in both commercial studios and independent production.

The emphasis on research, experimentation and media studies also opens opportunities in applied research, game- and media-related academia, cultural institutions, and roles focused on social impact and critical engagement with games. Key transferable skills include project management, teamwork, communication, technical prototyping and critical analysis, which are useful across startups, creative agencies and research organisations.